Advanced Trauma and Life Support (ATLS)

Course on the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS)

Dear colleagues,

On behalf of the Bulgarian Emergency Surgery and Trauma Society (BESTS) and the Medical University Plovdiv, we invite you to take part in the course Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), certified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Participating in the course provides you with the only opportunity in Bulgaria to be trained by ACS certified instructors. 

The ATLS course in Bulgaria has been contracted and licensed for 6 years by ACS/American College of Surgeons/ and BESTS/Bulgarian Emergency Surgery and Trauma Society/bests.bg/, represented by its’ president – Prof. Dr Boris Eug. Sakakushev MD PhD, director of ATLS for Bulgaria.

The program is appropriate for intern doctors, residents, teachers and doctors, who intend to gain knowledge and abilities in the approach and management of trauma patients in the “golden hour”.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive globally recognized personal certificates, signed and stamped by ACS. This course is referred to the basic skills for clinical work, valid for all hospitals worldwide. 

Who can apply

• doctors, residents, teachers and intern doctors /last year of study/

Required documents

• Motivational letter for participation in the course.
• A copy of the diploma/document for intern doctors
• Scanned English language proficiency document (B2) or relevant

The documentation for the March 2025 course should be provided by the deadline of 23.01.2025 to Tanya Checheva(national coordinator), /tanyachecheva77@abv.bg/ and Associate Prof. Milena G. Sandeva/local coordinator/, e-mail address: Milena.Sandeva@mu-plovdiv.bg.

There are two types of courses – “Student’s” and “Instructor’s” ones. After successful completion of the “Students” course, everyone can apply for a “Instructor’s” one. After successful completion of each course everyone receives a personal certificate signed and stamped by ACS, which is approved globally.

Course Duration and Structure

The course is spread over 3 full days and conists of:

• a pre-test
• interactive lectures
• practical training focused on three different trauma cases and the required manipulations
• a final examination.

Course Material

The approved candidates will receive original printed copy of ATLS textbook 10th edition from ACS, to read it and prepare themselves, 1 month before the initiation of each course. 

Course Fee

The course participation fee for doctors, residents, teachers and intern doctors /last year of study/, with a potential for ATLS instructor credentials is 500 EUR. The fee is payable after approval to participate.

To pay the fee, please transfer the amount to the official account of BESTS using the following details:

• Account holder: BULGARIAN EMERGENCY SURGERY AND TRAUMA SOCIETY /BESTS/
• IBAN: BG29UNCR70001525948937
• BIC: UNCRBGSF
• Payment reference: First and last name – Course date

Due to limited enrollment, a selection will be made and successful applicants will receive feedback and additional instructions and information.   

We are expecting you!

Registration