Medical School

Orientation

  1. Home
  2. About
  3. Clinical Schools
  4. Ochsner Clinical School
  5. Ochsner Years 3 and 4

UQ-Ochsner Orientation and Onboarding

This section contains complete details for UQ-Ochsner students transitioning to Year 3 at the UQ-Ochsner Health Campus. 

NOTE: Students may experience difficulties accessing some of the websites needed to complete orientation and onboarding requirements, while still in Australia or outside the U.S. For many complex reasons, some sites are not always accessible everywhere in Australia. The sites are accessible on campus at St. Lucia and Herston, and anywhere in the CBD of Brisbane. Please also try using different internet browsers. 

View the Ochsner Year 2 to Year 3 transition checklist.

View the OMSA NOLA Guide 2027.

  1. 2027 Orientation dates
  2. Ochsner email accounts
  3. Health insurance information
  4. Orientation documents
  5. Student health screenings and onboarding
  6. BLS Certification
  1. Required learning modules
  2. Update contact details
  3. Blackboard
  4. Student parking
  5. UQ-Ochsner annual requirements

6. BLS Certification

To ensure a smooth start to your clinical placement, we strongly recommend completing your Basic Life Support (BLS) certification before arriving in New Orleans. Ochsner Health requires students to hold a current American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Provider eCard.

BLS Certification Requirements

This certification involves a two-part process:

  1. Online Course
  2. Skills Testing

Once you successfully complete both parts, your BLS Provider eCard will be issued.

Options for Completing BLS Certification

Option 1. HeartCode BLS Completion Course – USD $75.00

Includes:

Location: RQI VAM Carts are available throughout Ochsner Health.
Purchase: American Heart Association - Ochsner Health Staff | Ochsner Health

Option 2. Ochsner Community Training Center (CTC) – USD $75.00

Includes:

  • Online course
  • Instructor-led skills testing
  • BLS Provider eCard

Location:
Ochsner Elmwood Campus
1201 South Clearview Pkwy, Building B, 3rd Floor
New Orleans, LA 70121

Note: After completing the online course, print your HeartCode BLS Completion Certificate and bring it to your scheduled skills testing appointment.
Register: New Orleans ACLS, BLS and CPR Classes | Ochsner Health System

Option 3. AHA HeartCode® BLS Online Course Only – USD $37.00

Includes:

  • Online course only

Note: This option does not include skills testing or a BLS Provider eCard. You must complete skills testing separately before certification can be issued.
Purchase: HeartCode® BLS | AHA

Completing Skills Testing Outside the U.S.

You may complete Part 2: Skills Testing in Australia or your hometown through an AHA Certified Instructor (additional fees may apply). To locate a certified instructor, visit the AHA Atlas Training Center Locator.

    On-Site Skills Testing at Ochsner CTC

    Students who purchase the HeartCode BLS course with instructor-led testing through Ochsner CTC may register for one of the following first-come, first-served sessions:

    • Monday, 4 January 2027
    • Tuesday, 5 January 2027
    • Wednesday, 6 January 2027

    Please note: These are the ONLY available dates for on-site skills testing through Ochsner CTC.

    Scheduling Skills Testing (HeartCode BLS Online Course Only)

    If you purchased the HeartCode BLS Online Course Only option for USD $37.00, you may schedule instructor-led skills testing through Ochsner CTC for an additional USD $50.00.

    To schedule:

    Ochsner CTC will contact you directly regarding payment after scheduling.

    Documentation Submission

    You must upload your AHA BLS Provider eCard to Placements by Thursday, 7 January 2027.

    • Log into Placements
    • Navigate to: My Details > MED-Ochsner Important Information > BLS Certification
    • Upload your BLS Provider eCard

    Final Reminder

    ⚠️ Ochsner Health accepts only the American Heart Association BLS Provider eCards. Certifications issued by the American Red Cross are NOT accepted.

    Do not wait until the last minute. Skills testing appointments fill quickly, and you must have your BLS certification completed and uploaded by Thursday, 7 January 2027. Incomplete BLS certification will not excuse you from any scheduled orientation activities, and you cannot begin clinical placements until this requirement has been met.