The AACVPR Learning Center is your go-to resource for
learning and advancing your knowledge
in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Staff Competencies for Core Components: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Bundle

AACVPR understands new healthcare challenges are leading to budget and staff constraints for our members’ programs. It is with these constraints in mind that we’ve created this time- and cost-effective educational course bundle. The Staff Competencies for Core Components is a comprehensive series that provides vital information on core components in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation delivered from our experts. This series will provide five (5) modules of pulmonary rehabilitation staff-ready competencies, and 5.25 AACVPR CEUs. 

Access license is active for 12 months from date of purchase. The CE certificate for the course will be issued upon completion of the full bundle. Handouts and PDF knowledge assessments are included within each module as handouts for download.

Psychosocial Management presented by Joel W. Hughes, PhD, FAACVPR
Recorded in 2022, this course will review and update the information related to Pulmonary/Cardiac Core Competencies for staff to best manage the patient in the rehabilitation setting.

Patient Assessment presented by Jill Fox, RN-BC, BSN, FAACVPR
Recorded in 2022, this course will take the cardiovascular and/or pulmonary rehab professional through the steps of a comprehensive patient assessment. The Core Competencies for patient assessment are emphasized and case studies are utilized as examples of the process.

Pulmonary Exercise Training presented by Erik Ostrowski, MS, MHA, RCEP, CCRP
Recorded in 2022, this course will review the most recent clinical guidelines and recommendations for exercise testing and prescription for patients with a chronic lung disease, including the frequency, intensity, time, type, volume, and progression variables. Additionally, safety considerations and disease-specific modifications will be addressed.

Pulmonary Medications presented by Karen Edwards, MS, RCEP, RRT, FAACVPR
Recorded in 2022, this course will provide an overview of the knowledge, skills and abilities needed by pulmonary rehab professionals to successfully complete the PR Medications Module portion of the Staff Competencies for Core Components.
Tobacco Cessation presented by Laura Lucchesi, MS, BSN, CTTS
Recorded in 2023, this course will provide the most up to date information on tobacco treatment efficacy and best practices, as well as how to implement them into a clinical setting. Main areas of focus include cessation pharmacotherapy, motivational interviewing strategies, e-cigarette use, and an overview of how to incorporate tobacco treatment into the cardiac and pulmonary rehab setting.

  • Contains 5 Component(s), Includes Credits

    The goal of this course is to review and update the information related to Pulmonary/Cardiac Core Competencies for staff to best manage the patient in the rehabilitation setting.

    Presented by Joel W. Hughes, PhD, FAACVPR

    Disclosures: no relevant disclosures 

    1.00 AACVPR CEUs

    The goal of this course, recorded in 2023, is to review and update the information related to Pulmonary/Cardiac Core Competencies for staff to best manage the patient in the rehabilitation setting.

    Learning objectives: 

    1.) Participants will be able to state the primary requirements of the AACVPR Core Components with respect to psychosocial management.

    2.) Participants will be familiar with several psychosocial factors that are risk factors for poor outcomes in secondary prevention.

    3.) Participants will be able to articulate several possible services for psychosocial management.

    Viewing window: 60 days from date of purchase

  • Contains 5 Component(s), Includes Credits

    This course will take the cardiovascular and/or pulmonary rehab professional through the steps of a comprehensive patient assessment. The Core Competencies for patient assessment are emphasized and case studies are utilized as examples of the process.

    Presented by Jill Fox, BSN, RN-BC, FAACVPR

    Disclosures: no relevant disclosures

    1.00 AACVPR CEUs

    This course will take the cardiovascular and/or pulmonary rehab professional through the steps of a comprehensive patient assessment. The Core Competencies for patient assessment are emphasized and case studies are utilized as examples of the process.

    Learning Objectives: 

    1.) The learner will be able to identify the steps to obtain a comprehensive medical, social, and family history through interview, review of medical records, and questionnaires.

    2.) The learner will be able to explain the components of a physical examination of the cardiovascular & pulmonary systems.

    3.) The learner will be able to describe interactive communication and counseling with the patient/family on the treatment plan through shared decision making.

    Viewing window: 60 days from date of purchase

  • Contains 5 Component(s), Includes Credits

    This course will review the most recent clinical guidelines and recommendations for exercise testing and prescription for patients with a chronic lung disease, including the frequency, intensity, time, type, volume, and progression variables.

    Presented by Erik Ostrowski, MS, MHA, RCEP, CCRP

    Disclosures: no relevant disclosures 

    1.00 AACVPR CEUs

    Exercise training is the cornerstone of pulmonary rehabilitation. This course, recorded in 2023, will review the most recent clinical guidelines and recommendations for exercise testing and prescription for patients with a chronic lung disease, including the frequency, intensity, time, type, volume, and progression variables. Additionally, safety considerations and disease-specific modifications will be addressed.

    Learning Objectives:

    1.) Understand the extent to which shortness of breath impacts patients with chronic pulmonary disease

    2.) Describe the adaptations and potential benefits that occur with exercise training on patients with chronic pulmonary disease

    3.) Demonstrate knowledge of exercise testing and programming principles for patients with chronic pulmonary disease

    4.) Be able to develop a safe and effective exercise prescription for a pulmonary rehab patient using evidence-based guidelines and best-practice recommendations

    Viewing window: 60 days from date of purchase

  • Contains 5 Component(s), Includes Credits

    The course will provide an overview of the knowledge, skills and abilities needed by pulmonary rehab professionals to successfully complete the PR Medications Module portion of the Staff Competencies for Core Components.

    Presented by Karen A. Edwards, MS, RCEP, RRT, FAACVPR

    Disclosures: no relevant disclosures 

    1.00 AACVPR CEUs

    The course, recorded in 2023, will provide an overview of the knowledge, skills and abilities needed by pulmonary rehab professionals to successfully complete the PR Medications Module portion of the Staff Competencies for Core Components.

    Learning Objectives: 

    1.) Learn the inhaled, oral, and injectable medications commonly used by patients in pulmonary/respiratory rehab for a variety of disease states

    2.) Be able to describe the proper technique for using metered dose inhalers (MDI) with and without a valved holding chamber, dry powder inhaler (DPI) and nebulizer (portable and table-top)

    3.) State the common side effects of the medication, common errors in administration and/or technique made by patients when using certain medications or inhaled devices and action to take to minimize or correct as needed

    Viewing window: 60 days from date of purchase

  • Contains 5 Component(s), Includes Credits

    This course aims to provide the most up to date information on tobacco treatment efficacy and best practices, as well as how to implement them into a clinical setting. Main areas of focus include cessation pharmacotherapy, motivational interviewing strategies, e-cigarette use, and an overview of how to incorporate tobacco treatment into the cardiac and pulmonary rehab setting.

    Presented by Laura Lucchesi, MS, BSN, CTTS

    Disclosures: no relevant disclosures 

    1.00 AACVPR CEUs

    This course, recorded in 2023, aims to provide the most up to date information on tobacco treatment efficacy and best practices, as well as how to implement them into a clinical setting. Main areas of focus include cessation pharmacotherapy, motivational interviewing strategies, e-cigarette use, and an overview of how to incorporate tobacco treatment into the cardiac and pulmonary rehab setting.

    Learning Objectives: 

    1.) Understand the fundamentals of tobacco treatment efficacy and best practices in the setting of cardiovascular & pulmonary rehabilitation, and how to put them into practice

    2.) Understand the proper use of cessation pharmacotherapy in the treatment of tobacco dependence and be able to provide this education to patients

    3.) Understand how to use motivational interviewing strategies to improve patient engagement and assessment of tobacco use status

    Viewing window: 60 days from date of purchase