Program Manager: Kari Lappe, RN
The Comprehensive Advanced Life Support (CALS) Program was created by a multidisciplinary group in Minnesota to offer rural healthcare teams training in emergency care. The program is offered to physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses. To obtain certification, participants must complete home study materials, attend classroom instruction and complete a procedure lab. The Minnesota Department of Health requires CALS or ATLS certification for providers in Level III Trauma System institutions. Grants may be available
Home study
After registering for the course, participants receive CALS educational material. These are available in a printed manual and CD-ROM format.
Classroom instruction
The 2-day course consists of interactive sessions in cardiac, traumatic, pediatric, obstetrical, neonatal and medical advanced life support. Most courses are held in rural Minnesota and Wisconsin but have also occured in Haiti, Austria and Thailand. For more information on taking or hosting a course, visit the offical CALS website.Benchmark laboratory
The benchmark laboratory is a one day hands-on experience required for CALS certification. It is held on the East Bank of the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis and at Hennepin County Medical Center. For more information on the lab:
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Contact Information
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