PALS Certification (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)

Class Features

Format: In person

Duration: 12 hours (original), 6 (renewal)

Certification: American Heart Association PALS Provider. Valid for two years.

American Heart Association PALS Certification Class (PALS Initial or PALS Renewal)

The AHA PALS certification class (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) aims to improve outcomes for pediatric patients by preparing healthcare providers to effectively recognize and intervene in patients with respiratory emergencies, shock, and cardiopulmonary arrest by using high‐performance team dynamics and high‐quality individual skills. The PALS class includes a series of case scenario practices with simulations that reinforce important concepts. Students also complete a multiple-choice exam to reinforce their understanding of the course material.

Students receive an American Heart Association PALS Provider certification, which is valid for two years. The American Heart Association PALS certification is the gold standard, which is why we teach to AHA guidelines and provide AHA certifications.

The following topics are covered during a PALS certification class:

• Perform high‐quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) per American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) recommendations
• Differentiate between patients who do and do not require immediate intervention
• Recognize cardiopulmonary arrest early and begin CPR within 10 seconds
• Apply team dynamics
• Differentiate between respiratory distress and failure
• Perform early interventions for respiratory distress and failure
• Differentiate between compensated and decompensated (hypotensive) shock
• Perform early interventions for the treatment of shock
• Differentiate between unstable and stable patients with arrhythmias
• Describe clinical characteristics of instability in patients with arrhythmias
• Implement post–cardiac arrest management

These AHA PALS certification classes (both PALS Initial and PALS Renewal) are in-person, instructor-led courses. We currently provide these PALS classes privately to individuals and groups only. The class can be held in our Rohnert Park classroom or at your location.

Prerequisites

Students must complete the PALS Precourse Self-Assessment and bring their results to class.

Intended Audience

This PALS class is intended for healthcare providers who either direct or participate in the management of respiratory and/or cardiovascular emergencies and cardiopulmonary arrest in pediatric patients, and personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care, and critical care. This may include physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, paramedics, physician assistants, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, etc.