Master Advanced Life Support
Your ACLS certification could save a life in critical moments.
ACLS Certification in Des Moines, IA
If you work in an emergency department, ICU, cardiac catheterization lab, or as a flight paramedic anywhere in the Des Moines metro, your employer requires Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification alongside a current BLS card. At Eastern CPR Des Moines, we offer AHA ACLS Provider certification at $250 — initial and renewal the same price — with your AHA digital eCard issued the same day at our Urbandale training center.
✓ AHA Certified
✓ Initial & Renewal
✓ Same-Day Card
✓ Expert Instructors
Comprehensive ACLS training for nurses, physicians, paramedics, and respiratory therapists. Master cardiac arrest management, ECG interpretation, and advanced life support algorithms.
ORIGINAL CERTIFICATION
ACLS Initial Course
$250
First-time certification
- Completed in one session
- Student ebook included free ($44.25 value)
- Option to add BLS
- Hands-on Mega Code practice
- Same-day AHA certification card
- 2-year certification
- Accepted nationwide
RENEWAL COURSE
ACLS Recertification
$250
Renewal certification
- Completed in one session
- Student ebook included free ($44.25 value)
- Option to add BLS
- Updated 2025 protocols
- Same-day AHA certification card
- 2-year certification
- Accepted nationwide
What's Included in Your ACLS Course
Our comprehensive ACLS training covers everything you need to master advanced cardiovascular life support and pass your certification with confidence.
📚 Course Materials
- ACLS Provider Manual
- Pocket reference cards
- Algorithm worksheets
- Practice scenarios
- Online resources access
💓 Skills Training
- High-quality CPR techniques
- Airway management
- Defibrillation & cardioversion
- OPA/NPA insertion
- Team dynamics & communication
📊 Core Content
- ECG rhythm interpretation
- Bradycardia Algorithm
- Tachycardia Algorithm
- Cardiac Arrest Algorithm
- Post Cardiac Arrest Algorithm
🎯 Mega Code Practice
- Simulated cardiac emergencies
- Team leader scenarios
- Real-time decision making
- Critical thinking exercises
- Performance feedback
✅ Testing & Certification
- Written exam (included)
- Skills assessment
- Mega Code evaluation
- Immediate results
- Same-day AHA card
👨⚕️ Expert Instruction
- AHA-certified instructors
- Critical care experience
- Small class sizes (max 4)
- Individual attention
- Real-world examples
Who Needs ACLS Certification in Des Moines?
ACLS is required for healthcare professionals who respond to cardiovascular emergencies
🏥 Hospital Staff
- Emergency Department nurses
- ICU/CCU nurses
- Step-down unit nurses
- Telemetry nurses
- Rapid response teams
- Operating room staff
- PACU nurses
👨⚕️ Physicians
- Emergency medicine
- Critical care doctors
- Cardiologists
- Anesthesiologists
- Internal medicine
- Family practice
- Medical residents
🚑 EMS Personnel
- Paramedics
- Advanced EMTs
- Flight nurses
- Critical care transport
- EMS supervisors
- Fire department medics
- Ambulance crew leaders
⚕️ Allied Health
- Respiratory therapists
- Physician assistants
- Radiology technicians
- Surgical technologists
- Perfusionists
- Clinical specialists
- Healthcare students
ACLS Course Curriculum
Our ACLS training follows the latest American Heart Association guidelines and covers all core competencies required for advanced cardiovascular life support.
1
Systematic Approach
- BLS & ACLS surveys
- Effective team dynamics
- Communication strategies
- High-quality CPR review
- Team roles & responsibilities
2
Airway Management
- Basic airway techniques
- Oxygen delivery systems
- Bag-valve-mask ventilation
- Oropharyngeal airways
- Advanced airway devices
3
ECG Recognition
- Normal sinus rhythm
- Bradycardias & tachycardias
- Atrial & ventricular arrhythmias
- Heart blocks (1st, 2nd, 3rd degree)
- VF, VT, PEA, Asystole
4
Pharmacology
- Epinephrine
- Amiodarone & Lidocaine
- Atropine & Adenosine
- Beta Blockers & CCBs
- Proper dosing & timing
5
Cardiac Arrest
- Shockable rhythms (VF/VT)
- Non-shockable (PEA/Asystole)
- Post-cardiac arrest care
- Reversible causes (H's & T's)
- Defibrillation & cardioversion
6
Acute Coronary Syndromes
- STEMI recognition
- NSTEMI management
- Unstable angina protocols
- Fibrinolytic therapy
- PCI coordination
7
Stroke Assessment
- Early recognition & assessment
- Cincinnati Stroke Scale
- NIH Stroke Scale basics
- CT interpretation fundamentals
- Time-critical interventions
8
Mega Code Scenarios
- Team-based simulations
- Multi-system emergencies
- Critical decision making
- Leadership & followership
ACLS Initial vs. Renewal Course
Choose the right course based on your certification status. Both result in full 2-year AHA certification.
| Feature | Initial ACLS | ACLS Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | None | Current and unexpired ACLS certification |
| Required EBook | Included FREE ($44.25 value) | Included FREE ($44.25 value) |
| Price | $250 | $250 |
| Certification | 2-year AHA card | 2-year AHA card |
Trusted by Healthcare Professionals
100%
First-Attempt Pass Rate
500+
Healthcare Pros Trained
5.0
Google Rating
2-Year
AHA Certification
ACLS Certification Details
Course Duration
Initial: ~6 hours
Renewal: ~6 hours
Certification Length
Valid for 2 years
Reminder sent 30 days before expiration
Certification Card
Same-day issuance
Digital eCard • Wallet-Sized
Why Choose Eastern CPR for ACLS in Des Moines?
✅
AHA Authorized
Official Training Site
Current AHA guidelines (2025)
Nationally recognized certification
👨⚕️
Expert Instructors
Classes led by a paramedic
Years of experience
Engaging teaching style
👥
Small Class Size
Maximum 4 students per class
Individual attention guaranteed
More hands-on practice time
📍
Convenient Location
Urbandale training center
Serving the Des Moines metro
Free parking available
💰
Best Value
Competitive pricing
All materials included
No hidden fees or costs
🏆
Pass Rate
100% first-attempt
Comprehensive prep ensures success
Why ACLS Certification Matters for Des Moines Metro Clinicians
ACLS is not BLS with extra steps. It is a fundamentally different clinical discipline — systematic management of pre-arrest and arrest patients using algorithms, pharmacology, and real-time team decision-making. Iowa Methodist Medical Center, as the region's only Adult Level I Trauma Center, requires ACLS for every nurse, physician, and allied health professional working in a high-acuity role. MercyOne Des Moines and Broadlawns Medical Center hold the same standard.
The Des Moines metro healthcare system is anchored by three major hospital systems — UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and Broadlawns Medical Center — each running 24/7 critical care operations that depend entirely on staff maintaining current ACLS certification. At Eastern CPR Des Moines, we run ACLS courses structured to the current AHA Guidelines, covering all required algorithm pathways and Mega Code scenarios in a small-group format that mirrors the clinical environments our students actually work in.
ACLS Certification in Des Moines: What Hospital Systems Require
Des Moines metro hospital systems require ACLS from an AHA Authorized Training Center for advanced clinical roles — and renewal must be completed before the existing card expires.
UnityPoint Health Iowa Methodist Medical Center
Central Iowa's only Adult Level I Trauma Center — requires current ACLS alongside BLS for all emergency medicine, critical care, and surgical nursing staff. ACLS must originate from an AHA Authorized Training Center.
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center
Requires ACLS for nurses and physicians in ICU, ED, cardiac catheterization, and any rapid response team role. Renewal must be completed before the existing card expires.
Broadlawns Medical Center
Serving as Polk County's safety net hospital, Broadlawns requires ACLS for all advanced clinical positions in its emergency and critical care departments.
Getting Here from Your Hospital
Our Urbandale training center is 12–14 minutes from Iowa Methodist and MercyOne Des Moines via I-235, and 8–10 minutes from UnityPoint Health Methodist West Hospital in West Des Moines via IA-28. See Des Moines Metro directions.
Frequently Asked Questions — ACLS Certification Des Moines
Who needs ACLS certification in the Des Moines metro?
ACLS is required for clinicians who manage cardiac arrest, acute coronary syndromes, and stroke as a core part of their role — including ED and ICU nurses, physicians, anesthesiologists, CRNAs, flight paramedics, and rapid response team members at Iowa Methodist, MercyOne, Broadlawns, and Methodist West Hospital. You must hold a current BLS card to sit for ACLS.
Is ACLS initial certification and renewal the same price at Eastern CPR Des Moines?
Yes. Both ACLS initial certification and renewal are $250 at our Urbandale training center. You do not pay a premium for your first certification. Your AHA ACLS Provider card is valid for 2 years from the date of issue.
Can I take BLS and ACLS on the same day?
In some cases yes — contact us at (515) 349-5886 to confirm scheduling. ACLS requires a current valid BLS card, so if yours has expired you will need to complete BLS first. When scheduling allows, completing both in the same visit saves you a return trip to our Urbandale training center.
Does Eastern CPR Des Moines ACLS satisfy Des Moines hospital requirements?
Yes. Eastern CPR Des Moines is an AHA Authorized Training Center. Our ACLS Provider certification is accepted by all AHA-accepting healthcare employers throughout the Des Moines metro, including UnityPoint Health Iowa Methodist, MercyOne Des Moines, Broadlawns Medical Center, and all outpatient and specialty facilities in Polk and Dallas counties.
How far is Eastern CPR Des Moines from Des Moines hospitals?
Our training center at 7605 NW Aurora Ave, Urbandale is approximately 12–14 minutes from UnityPoint Health Iowa Methodist and MercyOne Des Moines via I-235 W, and 8–10 minutes from UnityPoint Health Methodist West Hospital in West Des Moines via IA-28 N. Free parking is available on site.
Ready to Get ACLS Certified?
$250 initial and renewal — same price. Same-day AHA certification card. 12 minutes from downtown Des Moines.
Other Courses at Our Des Moines Training Center
We offer three certified courses covering every certification need in the Des Moines metro.
American Red Cross CPR / AED / First Aid
For teachers, parents, coaches, childcare workers, and businesses. No medical background needed. Iowa HHS approved for childcare licensing.
2-year Red Cross certification
LEARN MORE
AHA BLS Provider
Essential CPR training for nurses, doctors, EMTs, and all healthcare professionals. HeartCode online portion plus 1-hour in-person skills session.
Initial & Renewal — same price
LEARN MORE
Group & Onsite Training
We bring BLS, CPR/First Aid, or ACLS training to your Des Moines metro business, school, or healthcare facility. Groups of 6 or more.
Min. 6 participants • All metro locations
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