814-877-ITLS (4857)
814-877-ITLS (4857)
ITLS Penn Ohio Chapter
  • Serves the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
and the state of Ohio

Contact Us:

Telephone - 814-877-ITLS (4857) 
Karrah Kightlinger, RN BSN, CWON, Chapter Administrator

ITLS Penn Ohio - Recognized as the largest ITLS Chapter in the United States

ITLS International, 2024 & 2025

For available courses, please click here​.

ITLS Courses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

  • Select "Pennsylvania" in the "State/Province" drop-down box.
  • Click on "Search Courses." (The gray box on the lower right side of the page.)

ITLS Courses in the State of Ohio

For available courses, please click here.
  • Select "Ohio" in the "State/Province" drop-down box.
  • Click on "Search Course" (The gray box on the lower right side of the page.)

Why ITLS?

ITLS courses give the student the knowledge and hands-on skills to take better care of trauma patients. ITLS stresses rapid assessment, appropriate intervention, and identification of immediate life threats. The ITLS framework for rapid, appropriate, and effective trauma care is a global standard that works in any situation.
ITLS courses combine classroom learning and hands-on skills stations. They also challenge the student with scenario assessment stations where learning is put to work in simulated trauma situations. ITLS courses are designed, managed, and delivered by course directors, coordinators, and instructors experienced in EMS, prehospital care, and the ITLS approach. 
Each ITLS course includes a comprehensive provider manual. The manual enhances the learning experience with in-depth content, photos, and illustrations. ITLS manuals are written by trauma care experts and edited by the ITLS Editorial Board. After the course, the student can refer to the manual as a valuable recap of what has been learned. 
ITLS is accepted internationally as the standard training course for prehospital trauma care, and is not only taught as a continuing education course, but is also used as a textbook in many Paramedic, EMT, and first responder training programs. 

Pediatric ITLS

The American College of Emergency Physicians endorses the Pediatric ITLS program. The ITLS Pediatric Provider Course breaks down the challenges of the pediatric trauma patient, focusing on the practical training needed to make responders feel confident and competent when faced with caring for the critically injured child. 
The course reflects the established ITLS framework of assessment and management, and highlights proven techniques for communicating with young patients and their families. 
Pre-Requisite: ITLS Provider Course

ITLS Penn Ohio Chapter

ITLS Penn Ohio Chapter coordinates Pediatric and Adult ITLS classes in Pennsylvania and Ohio by providing support and assistance to ITLS course coordinators, instructors, providers, and others. Courses are approved for pre-hospital continuing education through the Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE). 
Our chapter continues to grow and stay current with the needs of pre-hospital care providers in today's fast-paced world through the dedication and commitment of our Executive and Advisory Committee members. 
On June 1, 2021, UPMC Hamot adopted the Chapter Charter and serves as the 501(c)(3) for what was then the ITLS Pennsylvania Chapter. UPMC Hamot is located in Erie, Pennsylvania, and provides administrative and fiduciary support for the Chapter. The organization has a dedicated pre-hospital care department that provides year-round educational opportunities to over forty hospitals. 
The ITLS Board of Directors approved the merger between the Ohio and Pennsylvania Chapters, effective August 31, 2023. At that time, the Chapter was officially renamed "ITLS Penn Ohio". The new Chapter consists of a Pennsylvania Division and an Ohio Division under the Chapter leadership and Chapter fiduciary.
An Erie, PA-based chapter of International Trauma Life Support (ITLS), a global organization dedicated to preventing death and disability from trauma through education and emergency trauma care around the world.

International Trauma Life Support Mission Statement:

Save lives by empowering individuals and communities worldwide with high-quality trauma education.

History:

ITLS was founded in the early 1980's as Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS). From its early roots as a local and regional trauma education course for EMS professionals, BTLS grew to over 75 chapters and training centers around the world. In 2005, BTLS became ITLS to better reflect the scope of the organization. 
Today, there are over 118 chapters and training centers in 35 countries around the world. ITLS continues to be a forward-thinking program introducing new courses to advance pre-hospital care, such as Duty to Respond. 
Our dedication to staying current can be evidenced by frequent updates to our training materials, online courses, and flexible certification and recertification programs.

Organization:

A not-for-profit organization incorporated in Alabama and registered to do business in Illinois, ITLS is exempt from federal taxation under section 501 (c)(3) of the IRS code. ITLS training programs are aimed at prehospital (or out-of-hospital) providers. Since its founding in 1982, EMS professionals around the world have learned proven techniques endorsed by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). 
In the United States, ITLS Chapters are administered and conducted in numerous states, often through the state chapter of ACEP, or in conjunction with a regional or state emergency medical services (EMS) agency. ITLS Chapters may also be managed by hospital or health care systems, pre-hospital agencies, or other EMS-related organizations. 
More information on ITLS can be found at www.itrauma.org.

ITLS Annual Meeting

and Conference

October 4–7, 2026 Chicago, Illinois 
For more information and registration on the ITLS International Annual Meeting click here.
© 2026 ITLS Penn Ohio Chapter All rights reserved.