What is an NIHSS certification?

The online training class available through the AHA is designed for medical professionals, including and not limited to the following:

• Nurses

• Emergency doctors

• Neurologists

• Clinical researchers

• Medical students

Professionals and students who gain this certification can administer the NIH Stroke Scale to assess a specific patient's acute stroke. The NIH Stroke Scale certification course programs include six groups, titled Groups A through F, and each group has six patients. Students typically start with Test Group A and work through the various groups. This normally takes anywhere between six to 12 months to complete. The proper evaluation of one complete group is adequate for a course completion certification. NIHSS-certified professionals then utilize the additional groups for recertification. All test groups are equal in size and scope, but the mock situations differ. This is done to assure the expertise of the medical professionals regarding the stroke scale over time. In all, the program consists of the following:

• Instruction

• Demonstration

• Certification

The goals of the NIHSS certification course include instructing medical professionals and medical students on identifying and assessing neurological deficits in stroke patients.

The course also teaches them comprehension of the measurement scale for calculating these deficits and then applying appropriate scores to these deficits. Medical professionals and medical students are also instructed on how to use the scale to assess changes in these neurological deficits throughout time.

In the case-based scenario portions, candidates must rate a test group of six patients using the stroke scale and not incorrectly rate more than six items. If candidates rate more than six items incorrectly, they fail the course.

Medical professionals who do not pass the course can watch a review video before retaking the exam.

The estimation in regards to the time it takes to complete each course module is around two hours. The course only costs 10$ for non-AHA members and is free for AHA members.