Who we are
Brandon Oto, PA-C, FCCM and Bryan Boling, DNP, ACNP, FCCM are your lead Academy instructors.
Brandon is a PA practicing primarily in a medical ICU. He completed a generalist critical care residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and has since worked in multiple critical care environments across the Eastern US, treating a spectrum of medical, surgical, cardiac, trauma, and neurocritical care populations. Besides education, he is interested in resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, ICU liberation, diagnostic reasoning, vascular access, and point-of-care ultrasound. He blogs at Critical Concepts and Tweets as @critconcepts.
Bryan is a nurse practitioner practicing primarily in surgical and neurologic critical care. He has particular interests in shock, resuscitation, point of care ultrasound, and advanced airway management. He blogs at Critical Care Notes and Tweets as @CritCareNotes.
Since 2019, Brandon and Bryan have co-hosted Critical Care Scenarios, a freely available educational podcast featuring critical care content on a variety of topics.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Foundations course?
Foundations is a comprehensive didactic curriculum covering >50 topics and targeted at new APPs (physician assistants and nurse practitioners) starting out in the ICU. It is meant to supplement the on-the-job training offered for new hires, such as unit orientation and procedural training, by teaching the conceptual frameworks and practical approaches to the core concepts underpinning critical care.
It's intended for a generalist audience and should be applicable for clinicians in every ICU, regardless of specialty or size. In terms of level, it's written for a person who has completed an NP or PA training program, but has little or no experience in critical care, or even in inpatient medicine. However, we think it would also be valuable for bedside ICU nurses, students, or allied health professionals looking for some clinical training and perspectives, and could serve as a broad review of practical ICU care for more advanced clinicians as well.
Foundations is divided into two courses, Foundations: Concepts (general principles of ICU care, workflow, and therapeutics), and Foundations: Pathology (specific diseases and their diagnosis and treatment).
Am I the right audience for the Academy?
Probably. We aim for content that's useful for learners from a range of backgrounds, with a couple caveats:
Our content is written for an audience practicing in the United States. While much of it will apply elsewhere, some care may differ geographically.
We focus on an adult population and do not address differences in pediatric care.
Clinicians treating pediatrics or practicing outside the US can make use of the Academy, but will need to make the necessary adjustments for their environment.
Is Academy content accredited for continuing education?
Not yet, but it’s in the works. We know this is important to many of you, and it’s a high priority. In the meantime, you may still be able to claim Academy content to fulfill some non-accredited or self-directed continuing education requirements; check the licensing and certification rules for your role.
Can I preview a lesson before subscribing?
Sure. Overview of Vascular Access: Needle Tracking is visible to the public as a preview of the Foundations program, and several videos within the MICU, Procedures, and POCUS courses are accessible on their respective course pages.
Are any discounts available?
Sure!
Bulk discounts are available for any group of 5 or more users that enrolls together and maintains their subscriptions. Email us to inquire.
If you’re a clinical group looking specifically to buy orientation material for newly hired staff, there is also an option to purchase access to the Foundations program alone. For a single flat rate of $200 per person, this allows unlimited access to Foundations for two years and includes podcast access, but not access to any other Academy content. Shoot us an email.
Can I access the Academy from a mobile device?
Yes, the website is optimized for either desktop or mobile use. The podcasts can be accessed using any podcast-catcher app (Apple Podcast, Overcast, etc).
How do I subscribe to the member-only podcast feeds?
Shortly after subscribing, you’ll receive an email from Castos, our podcast provider. This will include instructions for adding each feed to your podcast app. This login is unique to you, will not work for anyone else, and will stop working if your membership ends.
Can I just listen to the Academy Reviews podcasts instead of watching the accompanying videos?
You're the boss, but we recommend you view the videos at least once. While the content is essentially the same, we think you'll pay more attention watching than listening the first time around, and you won't miss out on the visual aids.
Can I cancel a subscription before 6 months is up?
Generally, subscriptions are prepaid for 6 months, so cancellations will take effect when your current billing cycle ends. If you really really really want to cancel early, shoot us an email and we’ll chat.
How long can I use my student or trainee account?
Until you graduate from that role (student, resident, etc). When your status changes, update your subscription to match the role that fits your fancy new title. Give us a buzz if you have any trouble.
I'm not in the US and not sure which subscription type suits my role.
Contact us and we'll chat.