Minimum Selection Criteria
The selection criteria listed herein are used by the State/Provincial Committee on Trauma Chair in identifying nominees for the Advanced Trauma Life Support®
- Applicants should have a master’s degree and preferably a doctorate degree (PhD, EdD) with concentration or specialization in education, as well as experience in postsecondary teaching.
- Advanced degrees in areas outside of education will be considered in conjunction with some formal study in education, plus experience.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate the types of teaching skills addressed in the educational portion of this course (e.g., lecture and group discussion skills), and must also demonstrate both direct and indirect teaching styles.
- Applicants should have experience in the medical field.
Audit an ATLS Student Course
Applicants who satisfy the selection criteria should audit an ATLS Student Course in its entirety within six (6) months of applying for Educator candidacy. The date and site of this Student Course should be included in the individual’s application.
Auditing a Student Course is necessary for applicants to acquire the basic knowledge imparted in the program and to achieve an understanding of the requirements to which doctors must adhere. Additionally, this audit process assists applicants in determining whether they wish to make the commitment to become an ATLS educator.
Application, Letters of Recommendation, and Curriculum Vitae
- Completed Education Application Form
- Curriculum Vitae, along with a letter explaining how their background, training, and experience conform to the minimum selection criteria
- A letter of recommendation and support from the applicant’s respective State/Provincial Committee on Trauma Chair
When the ACS ATLS Program Office receives all of the required documents, a National Educator faculty member and the ATLS Committee Chairperson review the application. If necessary, a National Educator interviews the applicant.
If the application is approved, the applicant and the State/Provincial Committee on Trauma Chair are notified. The applicant is then required to observe an Instructor course and begin training under the supervision of a National Educator faculty member.
As aforementioned, approved applicants are required to observe an ATLS Instructor Course, and they are expected to:
- Observe a National Educator during the entire course, including the precourse and postcourse faculty sessions.
- Assist the National Educator during the microteaching sessions.
- Participate in discussion sessions with the National Educator before, during, and after the course.
Upon successful completion of this process, the applicant becomes an Educator Candidate. The National Educator submits an initial evaluation of the applicant’s to-date progress to the ACS ATLS Program Office. The Course Coordinator is responsible for recording the Educator Candidate’s and National Educator’s participation as Faculty on the postcourse reports submitted to the ACS ATLS Program Office.
