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 2026.

  1. 2026 Orientation dates
  2. Ochsner email accounts
  3. Health insurance information
  4. Orientation documents
  5. Student health screenings and onboarding
  6. BLS Certification
  1. 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 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 CPR eCard. 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

1. HeartCode BLS Completion Course – USD $75.00

Includes:

  • Online course
  • Skills testing on an RQI VAM Cart (view here)
  • BLS Provider eCard

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

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

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

Includes:

  • Online course only

Note: This does not include skills testing or the BLS Provider eCard.
Purchase: HeartCode® BLS | AHA

Completing Skills Testing Outside the U.S.

You may complete Part 2: Instructor-led 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

    If you plan to complete skills testing after arriving in New Orleans and have purchased the HeartCode BLS Course with instructor-led testing through Ochsner CTC, you may register for one of the following first-come, first-served sessions:

    • Friday, 2 January 2026
    • Monday, 5 January 2026
    • Tuesday, 6 January 2026

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

    Scheduling Skills Testing (HeartCode BLS Online Course Only)

    If you purchased the online course only for USD $37.00, you can schedule instructor-led skills testing through Ochsner CTC for USD $50.00.

    Ochsner CTC will contact you directly regarding payment after scheduling.

    Documentation Submission

    You must upload your BLS Provider eCard by Wednesday, 7 January 2026 via Placements:

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

    ⚠️ Ochsner Health accepts only the American Heart Association eCards. Certifications from the American Red Cross are NOT accepted.

    Final Reminder

    Please do not wait until the last minute. Skills testing sessions fill quickly, and you must have your BLS certification completed and uploaded by Wednesday, 7 January 2026. You will not be permitted to miss any scheduled orientation activities due to incomplete certification.