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Pulse Oximetry Mini Course – Fast, Practical SpO2 Skills to Complement the Cardiology Course

Lifetime
Intermediate
19 lessons
5 quizzes
133 students
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Understand what every pulse oximetry reading is really telling you.

The device every clinician reaches for, and the readings most don’t fully understand. This course teaches you to read, understand, and interpret SpO₂: what the number means, why it varies between patients, and the early warning signs it can reveal. You’ll practise with a real pulse oximeter from the ECG Bundle.

What you’ll be able to do

  • Explain what pulse oximetry measures and why it matters clinically
  • Apply a saturation probe correctly
  • Interpret an SpO₂ reading and the perfusion index
  • Recognize the factors that throw a reading off, and troubleshoot them
  • Read the early warning signs in a patient who is starting to deteriorate

What’s inside the course

1. The fundamentals

What pulse oximetry is and why it matters clinically, a short history of the saturation probe, and the physiology of oxygen transport behind every reading.

2. How pulse oximetry works

The principles behind the device, the anatomy of a saturation probe, and how to apply it properly.

3. Reading and interpreting SpO₂

Interpreting the readings, the factors that affect accuracy, the limitations and how to troubleshoot them, the perfusion index, and worked clinical scenarios.

4. Assessment

Review questions and a set of MCQs across physiology and principles, probe anatomy and application, clinical interpretation, and troubleshooting.

Who should enroll

The perfect companion to the Cardiology / ECG course. For aspiring clinicians at every level, anyone heading for a career in the ICU or ER, future cardiologists, paramedics, pre-med, medical, and nursing students, allied healthcare professionals after CPD/CME points, and any clinician sharpening cardiopulmonary assessment skills.

Setting

Online and self-paced.

Duration

About 3 hours, worked through at your own pace.

Requirements and instructions

– Register with Apprentice Doctor Academy

– Enroll in the course

– Get the ECG Bundle (optional, but you’ll need the pulse oximeter for the practical projects)

Certified credits

Counts as the equivalent of three shadowing hours.

Earns 3 CPD/CME points (3 HPCSA clinical points, Ref # BOO576/2). Transcript available upon request.

Warnings

– This course is for education and training. It does not qualify or license you to practice medicine, or to diagnose or treat real patients.

Click here to order the ECG Bundle (7-Step ECG Ruler card and pulse oximeter)

The bundle includes six months of access to this course and the Cardiology / ECG course.

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Dr Anton Scheepers & Dr Francois Jacobs

About Course Authors

__________________________
DR. ANTON SCHEEPERS
__________________________

Dr. Anton Scheepers is the founder and president of Apprentice Corporation, a company designing and promoting Apprentice Doctor® Simulation Practice Kits, Apprentice Doctor® Online Academy, and the Apprentice Doctor® Simulation Training Events.

Dr. Anton is a Specialist Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeon with more than 45 years experience in the medical field.

He has completed rotations in General Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery.

Dr. Anton has had a colorful career which includes exploits such as treating leprosy patients in a large leprosarium, treating soldiers and civilians in a bush war in Africa, rendering medical services to prisoners – including death-row prisoners, and working with classified and dangerous psychiatric patients.

He started a medical sciences section in the largest Science Center in Africa – the Sci-Bono Discovery Science Center – and was involved with medical research in collaboration with Dr. Sandy Marks Jr. from the University of Massachusetts.

He is the head of the Premedical Sciences Department at the Solid Rock Community and Virtual Schools based in Tampa, Florida.

Authored Books Include:
- "For Future Doctors" Foundations
- How to Suture Wounds
- Venipuncture & Phlebotomy
- Orthopedic Fracture Reduction
- Surgical Aseptic Technique
- Obstetrics

Awards and Commendations Include:
- P Grant Smith Gold medal for Maxillofacial Surgery
- The College of Medicine Silver Medal in Maxillofacial Surgery
- The Michael and Janie Miller Prize Final Year Surgery
- Commendation for excellent service rendering by the Director of the Department of Health
- Commendation for excellent service rendering by the director of Prison services
________________________
DR. FRANCOIS JACOBS
________________________
Professional Summary

Dr Francois Jacobs is a medical doctor and entrepreneur with a special interest in Surgery and Simulation Medicine. He has been part of The Apprentice Doctor since 2023, contributing to the development of innovative surgical simulation programs and educational products for aspiring medical professionals.

Driven by a passion for teaching, creativity, and innovation in medicine, Dr Jacobs combines his surgical background with an entrepreneurial mindset to improve the quality and accessibility of medical education globally.

Education
MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) – University of Pretoria

Graduated with Distinctions in:
Surgery, Neurology, Paediatrics, Orthopaedic Surgery, Anaesthetics, Urology, Community Obstetrics, Family Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Psychiatry, and Diagnostic & Laboratory Medicine.

Professional Experience
- Director of Business Development for Apprentice Corporation® (2023 – Present)

- Leading product innovation in surgical and clinical simulation kits.

- Spearheaded expansion into the USA, Europe, and the Middle East.

- Collaborated on global surgical workshops and educational programs.

- Oversaw the development of internationally accredited training courses.

Clinical Work (Various Institutions)

- Assisted in surgical theatres across multiple disciplines including General Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as Trauma.

- Involved in clinical education and practical workshops for medical students and junior doctors.

- Continues to maintain a focus on procedural excellence and teaching through simulation-based training.

Publications

- Word Rounds – The Ultimate Medical Terminology Workbook (2024)

- The Flipside of Studying Medicine (2020)

Awards & Achievements

- Graduated MBChB with Distinction in 11 disciplines.

- Recognized for innovation in surgical simulation education.

- Guest lecturer and motivational speaker at academic and medical events.

Special Interests

- Surgery

- Simulation Medicine & Surgical Education

- Entrepreneurship and Medical Innovation

- Global Health Education