Advanced Medical Life Support

Course Description

Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) is a two-day (16-hour) in-depth study of medical emergencies.  This course emphasizes a pragmatic approach and format, based on teaching providers what they need to know.  The curriculum is designed to allow for a minimal amount of lecture and an ample amount of actual hands-on physical assessment of patients.  Therefore, students must purchase a copy of the AMLS textbook, published by Brady/Prentice Hall, in advance of the course in order to adequately prepare for it.  After successfully completing the course, each student will be awarded a certificate of successful completion.  Because medicine is every changing, periodic revisions and updates will be required as the scientific and medical fields uncover new advanced and techniques.  The certificate of completion is valid for four years.

The hands-on AMLS course gives each provider/student the ability to integrate the knowledge presented into a practical format for use in his or her current practice.  This course is directed at the pre-hospital treatment of medical emergencies, but can be altered to encompass the initial emergency department assessment and management of the medical patient.  The format and administrative policies set forth are those of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT).

The major goals of the AMLS course are to:

  • Apply critical thinking skills to integrate pathophysiology with the assessment findings of a medical patient;
  • Determine and differentiate between actual and potential patient problems;
  • Advance the provider's ability to conduct a competent medical examination that utilizes proper diagnostic skills, critical thinking, and interventions;
  • Advance the provider's ability to utilize problem-solving strategies in interventions and management alternatives;
  • Advance the provider's ability to communicate the pertinent findings and interventions to the receiving facility

Course Length

Approximately 16 hours

Course Audience

The course is designed for medical providers such as physicians, nurses, paramedics, respiratory therapists, and other health care professionals.