The Cardiovascular Essentials for Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) course is designed to streamline onboarding for APPs newly entering cardiology practice and standardize APP knowledge across an organization. Through structured instruction, case-based learning and evidence-based practice guidance, learners will develop or strengthen foundational competency in cardiovascular diagnosis, clinical decision-making and guideline-directed management. Emphasis is placed on risk stratification, high-yield physical examination, interpretation of common diagnostics, and development of safe and effective treatment strategies. The course promotes patient-centered care, interprofessional collaboration and critical thinking to prepare clinicians for real-world cardiology practice across inpatient and outpatient settings.
The course incorporates video, readings and online learning to cover these essential topics:
- Module 1: Team-Based Care in Cardiovascular Medicine: History, Evolution and Contemporary Service Excellence
- Module 2: Fundamentals of Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making
- Module 3: Cardiovascular History and Physical Examination
- Module 4: EKG Interpretation
- Module 5: Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Module 6: Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
- Module 7: Peripheral Vascular Disease
- Module 8: Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia
- Module 9: Cardiomyopathies
- Module 10: Congestive Heart Failure
- Module 11: Valvular Heart Disease
- Module 12: Electrophysiology
- Module 13: Healthcare Economics: Advanced Practice Provider Coding, Documentation and Reimbursement Video
COURSE GOALS
- For APPs: This curriculum is designed to accelerate onboarding into clinical cardiology by building core competency in cardiovascular pathophysiology, presentation patterns, diagnostic evaluation and guideline-directed therapy. Learners will strengthen clinical reasoning and decision-making across common inpatient and outpatient scenarios and gain confidence translating didactic knowledge into safe, evidence-based patient care.
- For Employers of APPs: This curriculum provides a structured, scalable framework to support APP onboarding and professional development while promoting consistent baseline knowledge and practice standards across your organization. It can be used to reinforce on-the-job learning, align teams on evidence-based care, and help assess competency progression over time.
THE METHODOLOGY
Each lesson includes a didactic presentation that provides the content for that week’s focus. The course is to be completed at the student’s own pace within a 12-month period. Enrollment begins on the date of purchase.
This is a pass/fail course based on completing the material. Students must pass an exam (80 percent or above) at the end of the course and complete an evaluation feedback survey to receive a certificate of completion.
QUESTIONS AND ASSISTANCE
For technical support, please contact: tech_support@medaxiom.com
For course questions or assistance, please contact: academy@medaxiom.com
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of International Institute for Continuing Medical Education and MedAxiom. International Institute for Continuing Medical Education is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
International Institute for Continuing Medical Education designates the blended format for this educational activity for a maximum of 50.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Blended activity dates: April 30, 2026 – April 30, 2029
Other Healthcare Professionals:
Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accepts AMA PRA Category 1
CreditsTM from organizations accredited by the ACCME. Visit the ANCC’s website for more information.
Pharmacists
Different state boards of pharmacy have different requirements for continuing education. Some accept CME credit, while others accept only ACPE-approved CPE (continuing pharmacy education) credit. Please refer to your state board of pharmacy to find out if CME is accepted.
Please note that all final decisions about credit hour acceptance will be made by the licensing organization to which the credit hours are submitted.
Physician Assistants
NCCPA accepts AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society.
Financial Disclosures
All faculty, planners, reviewers, or staff report no relationships to disclose:
“I do not have at present nor have had within the last 24 months, any financial relationships with ineligible companies.”
iiCME adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME/CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest will be mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
This activity may include discussion of investigational or off-label uses of products or devices. International Institute for Continuing Medical Education does not endorse or promote the use of any product or device outside of its approved indications.