ECC Beat 6/25/26

Reminder: New York State (NYS) Department of Health CPR Training Documentation Requirements

As a reminder, when conducting a Heartsaver® or BLS Provider Blended Learning Course to students who work for the NYS Department of Health, Instructors in the state of New York must issue the following two items:

✅ American Heart Association Course Completion Card
Issued after successful completion of the full course (online component + skills session)

✅ In-Person Skills Certificate
Issued to verify completion of the in-person skills session only
Important: This dedicated In-Person Skills Certificate does not replace the Heart Association course completion card.

The NYS Department of Health requires participants in a Heartsaver or BLS Provider Blended Learning Course to complete their skills through an in-person skills assessment. Therefore, the Heart Association created a certificate to verify that an in-person skills assessment was completed. Visit www.health.ny.gov for more details.

Access the Certificate

Download the In-Person Skills Certificate of Completion located under the State of New York tab towards the bottom of the BLS Materials page. Using both items ensures learners meet all required documentation standards.

Below are some additional helpful details about NYS Department of Health requirements:

Karl Arps, 72, returns to his emergency medical technician classroom in early May, nearly three months after his cardiac arrest. (Courtesy of Fox Valley Technical College)

Mock Emergency Becomes Real: EMT Instructor Saved by His Own Students

During a mock classroom emergency in which he was demonstrating a chest pain scenario, Fox Valley Technical College EMT Instructor, Karl Arps, went into cardiac arrest.  Fellow Instructor, Traci Blondeau, quickly recognized the signs, and students immediately put their training into action, performing CPR and using an AED to deliver two shocks that restored Karl’s heartbeat before paramedics arrived. Doctors later discovered severe blockages in three major arteries and performed a successful triple bypass surgery.

Karl’s survival is a powerful example of the Chain of Survival in action and the lifesaving impact of CPR and AED training. After completing cardiac rehabilitation, he returned to the classroom, where students celebrated his recovery and reflected on how the experience strengthened their commitment to emergency response careers. Now back to teaching and other activities, Karl shares his story to encourage everyone to learn CPR, noting that immediate intervention can make the difference between life and death.

Is the PAM Part of Your Compliance Routine?

The Program Administration Manual (PAM) is a primary resource for policies, procedures, and operational requirements across the Heart Association Training Network. Taking time to regularly review the PAM can help Training Centers (TCs), Training Sites (TSs), and Instructors stay compliant and find the answers to commonly asked questions.

Important topics to provide guidance for TC and TS operations are outlined in the Training Center Policies and Procedures section of the PAM (Atlas log in required). These include:

• Class Scheduling & Atlas Requirements – Guidance on class creation, Find a Class listings, course monitoring, and Atlas processes.
• eCard & Course Completion Card Management – Requirements for issuing eCards, card security, student access, and timelines for distributing course completion cards.
• Record Retention – Required course, Instructor, and Training Center records must be maintained and available for review according to PAM retention requirements.
• Instructor Alignment & Transfers – Procedures for Instructor alignment, monitoring, transfers between Training Centers, and maintaining Instructor records.
• Course Materials & Equipment – Requirements for current Heart Association course materials, student manuals, Instructor resources, equipment maintenance, and decontamination practices.
• Training Center Responsibilities – Expectations for quality assurance, policy compliance, Instructor support, and communication of updates such as Training Bulletins, Memos, and ECC Beat articles.
• Course Fees & Marketing – Guidance on course fees, required disclaimers, and appropriate use of Heart Association materials and branding.

Make reviewing the PAM a regular part of your compliance routine. Whether you’re managing courses, issuing eCards, or supporting Instructors, the PAM is your best source for current requirements and guidance.