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Terms of Reference

ADVANCED CARDIAC LIFE SUPPORT (ACLS) ONTARIO PROVINCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

ROLE AND RESPONSIBLITIES

MANDATE
The mandate of the ACLS Advisory Committee (ACLSAC) is to provide expert counsel and strategic advice to the Staff Partner of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario (HSFO) in matters regarding clinical content and instruction of the program, and regarding provincial policy issues that affect ACLS program delivery.

The ACLSAC works in collaboration with the other relevant HSFO committees and subcommittees to ensure that the Staff Partner receives comprehensive and timely advice related to the Resuscitation ACLS Program instruction and policy.

COMPOSITION
• Chair,
• Vice Chair
• Up to eight (8) volunteer members (including Chairs)
• HSFO Staff Partner

  • The ACLSAC Chair shall be appointed by the Staff Partner. 
  • The Vice Chair of the ACLSAC shall be appointed from among the members of the committee by the committee Chair in consultation with the Staff Partner.
  • The Vice-Chair provides support as necessary to the Chair.
  • The committee members shall be appointed by the Staff Partner in consultation with the Committee Chair.

Accountability: Manger, Resuscitation Programs, RAHP

Staff Support
• Manager, Resuscitation Programs, RAHP
• Resuscitation Program Coordinator, RAHP

Requirements (skills, expertise, attributes):
The members of this multidisciplinary committee should have expertise in resuscitation programs reflective of the roles and responsibilities listed below and the various disciplines represented. Suggested nominees for the committee shall have one or more of the following attributes:

• demonstrated interest in the mission of HSFO and the ACLS Resuscitation Program
• an academic appointment in a related discipline
• practical experience as an ACLS Instructor or specialized training relating to advanced life support
• a medical specialist, healthcare provider or emergency medical services experience
• advocacy/government relations experience/expertise
• policy development interest/expertise
• a graduate degree in a health or education related
• Consideration will also be given to diversity, ethnicity, gender and geography.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Identifies areas of emphasis and future directions for the ACLS Resuscitation Program instruction and policy, and recommending effective strategies.
  2. Assists in the development of education sessions and/or other committees as necessary or requested.
  3. Supports effective Provincial ACLS policy and position statement development for ACLS Resuscitation Programs according to HSFO board-approved policy development process.
  4. Assists with the evaluation of ACLS Resuscitation Program activities undertaken by the provincial office.
  5. Provide strategic advice to the Staff Partner, or their designate(s) on issues related to Resuscitation Programs, based on the best scientific research available.
  6. Recommend priority areas, key linkages and associations for HSFO involvement related to improving emergency cardiac care for Ontarians.

SUPPORT
The Manager, Resuscitation Programs is accountable for providing resource support to the ACLSAC. This includes staff resources, information and materials.
From time to time, the ACLSAC may create working groups to help accomplish their policy work. The working groups:
• Shall be chaired by a committee member
• Is created to perform a specific task and is then disbanded
• shall be formed on the basis of a Terms of Reference created by the ACLS AC

TERM OF OFFICE
Chair:  2 year renewable upon review by HSFO staff partner.
Members:  1 year renewable upon review by HSFO staff partner

FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS
The committee should meet face-to-face as necessary (at minimum once each year) and by teleconference as required. E-mail and fax technologies will be used to communicate between meetings.
• Members are expected to maintain high levels of participation in meetings of the ACLS Advisory Committee and any member who misses more than 50% of meetings (in person and/or teleconference) shall be asked by the Chair to reconsider their commitment to the committee.
• Where possible and required, decisions shall be made through consensus; however, for issues where consensus is not achieved, a vote shall be taken. Quorum for any committee decisions or votes is five voting members.
• The Foundation retains the authority and the final decision regarding matters related to administration, program implementation, and authority to implement the recommendations made by the ACLSAC.

Terms of Reference drafted: April 2007
Last update: April 2009

The ACLS Advisory Committee Terms of Reference have been adopted as of April 2009 and will exist as a ‘Living Document’ and can be amended by mutual agreement by the Committee Members and HSFO Staff.