About Advanced Life Support (ALS) Training
Advanced Life Support (ALS) training builds on existing life support skills to prepare clinicians for managing critically ill or deteriorating patients, including cardiac and respiratory arrest.
Courses follow Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) guidelines and are delivered by practising clinicians with experience in emergency and critical care. Training is intensive, practical, and focused on safe, effective decision-making in high-pressure environments.
ALS training builds on Intermediate Life Support (ILS) and Basic Life Support (BLS), forming part of a structured pathway for developing advanced resuscitation skills.
Our Advanced Life Support Courses
RCUK-approved Advanced Life Support (ALS) courses for clinicians who lead or support resuscitation in complex, time-critical emergencies.
Courses include full ALS certification, blended e-ALS options, and pre-course preparation to support successful completion.
What You’ll Learn on an ALS Course
Advanced Life Support (ALS) training builds on existing life support skills and focuses on managing complex, time-critical emergencies. During the course, you will learn how to:
- Use the ABCDE approach to assess and manage the critically ill patient
- Recognise and interpret cardiac rhythms relevant in Advanced Life Support (ALS)
- Perform advanced airway management, including the use of adjuncts
- Deliver safe defibrillation and pacing using RCUK-approved algorithms
- Administer emergency drugs during cardiac arrest and peri-arrest situations
- Lead and coordinate the resuscitation team, including clear communication and role allocation
- Provide post-resuscitation care, including ongoing stabilisation and transfer to critical care
Through a combination of skills stations, workshops and scenario-based simulations, you will develop the confidence to make rapid, informed decisions and lead resuscitation efforts in real clinical practice.
Who Should Attend ALS Training?
Advanced Life Support (ALS) training is intended for experienced healthcare professionals involved in the management of critically ill patients and resuscitation. It is particularly suitable for:
- Doctors working in emergency medicine, anaesthesia, intensive care and acute medicine
- Senior Nurses and Nurse practitioners in hospital or acute settings
- Operating department practitioners (ODPs) and theatre staff
- Advanced clinical practitioners and physician associates
- Paramedics and critical care paramedics
- Other clinicians who are part of, or expected to lead, the resuscitation team
If your role involves managing deteriorating patients, responding to cardiac arrest, or leading emergency care, ALS training will support clinical competence, confidence and governance requirements.
ALS training is typically undertaken after Intermediate Life Support (ILS) and forms part of a structured clinical progression in resuscitation training.
Advanced Life Support (ALS) – Frequently Asked Questions
Advanced Life Support (ALS) courses provide high-level training in the management of critically ill patients and those in cardiac or respiratory arrest. They build on basic and intermediate life support skills and focus on advanced airway management, rhythm recognition, defibrillation, drug therapy and leadership in resuscitation teams, in line with Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) guidelines.
RCMS ALS courses are delivered by practising healthcare professionals with real experience in emergency and critical care. Training is aligned with Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) standards and is highly practical, using realistic scenarios, team-based simulations and supportive feedback to help you apply ALS skills safely and confidently in your own clinical setting.
ALS training is designed for experienced clinicians who are likely to lead or take an active role in resuscitation attempts. This includes doctors, senior Nurses, operating department practitioners, paramedics, advanced clinical practitioners and other staff working in acute, hospital, theatre or pre-hospital environments.
You can expect a structured, intensive programme combining pre-course reading, classroom teaching, skills stations and scenario-based simulations. You will practise advanced airway techniques, rhythm recognition, safe defibrillation and emergency drug administration, as well as leadership and communication within the resuscitation team. Assessment is ongoing and focused on ensuring you can apply ALS algorithms in real clinical practice.
Yes. Participants are normally expected to be competent in Basic Life Support (BLS) and, ideally, Intermediate Life Support (ILS) or equivalent experience before attending ALS. If you are unsure whether you meet the entry requirements, please contact the RCMS team and we will be happy to advise.
ALS certification is typically valid for a defined period in line with Resuscitation Council UK guidance and local policy. Refresher or update training is recommended to ensure your skills and knowledge remain current with the latest resuscitation guidelines.
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Contact Details
Whether you’d like to discuss your training requirements, book a course, or get expert advice, our friendly clinical team would love to hear from you.
Phone: 0333 0122 999
Email: info@rcmstraining.co.uk
Resuscitation Consultancy Medical Services Ltd
86 Forest Walk
Buckley, Flintshire
CH7 3AR
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Sunday: Closed