Most healthcare personnel need to obtain a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification. Most facilities have to ensure that personnel and staff are accurately trained and certified to handle life-threatening situations if or when they arise.
Traditionally, certifications were awarded to students after completing an in-person course and sitting for an exam in the presence of an instructor. Now there is an alternative- becoming certified online.
We’re sharing everything you need to know about PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) and BLS (Basic Life Support) online certifications. Read on to learn more.
Table of Contents
What are PALS and BLS certifications?
In 2018, The American Heart Association published “Resuscitation Education Science: Educational Strategies to Improve Outcomes from Cardiac Arrest” to unify the techniques used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and further increase survival from cardiac arrest.
Here are three certifications that can be obtained following those guidelines.
- Basic Life Support (BLS).
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
CPR certification and First Aid training are courses that generally provide training for life-saving techniques to laypersons of the public. The Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is for healthcare personnel like medical students, nurses, or others who will have contact with patients daily.
Basic Life Support (BLS) can be considered a more in-depth training than both CPR and First Aid training. A BLS certification equips the cardholder with the knowledge to save a life in various situations and scenarios.
Being BLS certified means that you have completed training that covered the following.
- Demonstration of CPR for infants, children, and adults.
- Knowledge of the order to administer CPR: Chest compressions, airway, breathing (CAB).
- Identify signs of airway obstruction and prompt acknowledgment of a person choking.
- Appropriate use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
- Rescue breaths and ventilations using barrier devices.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification
The Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is a bit more advanced than the BLS training. Certification courses for PALS build on the information that is contained in the BLS course, such as chest compressions, AED use, rescue breaths, and identifying airway obstructions. However, the focus is on providing care to infants and children.
This certification is best for healthcare personnel with frequent encounters with pediatric patients, specifically in emergency medicine and critical care. In addition to techniques covered in BLS, the following are covered for PALS certification.
- Pediatric intubations.
- Capturing and reading electrocardiograms (ECG or EKG).
- Safe and effective intravenous (IV) medication administration.
Key Differences Between Certifications
The BSL, PALS, and ACLS certifications are all intended for healthcare professionals. Each certification varies by level of difficulty of CPR, life-saving techniques, and the intended served group.
The BSL (basic life support) is the foundation of any form of CPR and serves infants, children, and adults. This certification is required for all registered nurses and must be obtained before applying for the ACLS.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) is more advanced and focuses on adults. PALS and ACLS are similar in techniques, but PALS is focused on caring for infants and children.
ACLS and PALS certifications are an advanced form of BSL. It is more suitable for healthcare professionals in an emergency care setting.
How to Get Certified Online
Obtaining certifications online is convenient, but are they acceptable or accredited?
The answer is yes. Some organizations like the American Medical Resource Institute (AMRI) offer accredited programs and training courses that distribute certifications accepted nationwide in different hospitals and facilities.
There are many resources available to pass these tests, such as course materials, practice questions, and case studies. If you are obtaining certification for the first time (or if you’re re-certifying), then your preparation steps and time may vary depending on the exact certification.
Certify or Recertify: What’s Necessary?
For a healthcare professional to certify online for ASL or PALS, the professional must register for an online course. The educational course may be led by an instructor virtually, or it may be self-paced. After completing the course, an exam is given. It is usually written. The next step after the written exam is to verify your clinical skills.
Clinical skills are verified by an employer showing that you are capable of demonstrating the required techniques and life-saving skills required for effective CPR, BSL, ASL, or PALS. The necessary steps to recertify are similar to the steps taken for online certification.
Renewals
All BSL, ACLS, and PALS certifications are good and valid for two years from the date of completion. But it should be no surprise if changes were made to the guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association since the last time you took your exam.
These guidelines govern the techniques and science related to effective life-saving CPR. You want to stay updated on these techniques-it is a matter of life and death.
How to Prepare for the Exam
Use all your available resources to study for your exam ahead of time. Get comfortable with the information. Remember that you aren’t just studying the material for a test. You are preparing for an emergency. Someone’s life may very well hang in the balance someday because of you and your retention of such valuable information.
The educational course information can be used to satisfy continuing education credits. Double-check with the institution or organization through which the certification program is given to verify or confirm the exact amount of credit hours.
What to Expect During the Exam
The certification exam can be broken into two main parts: the written portion and demonstrations.
You can choose a compatible device- smartphone, laptop, or tablet- to complete your online course and examination. Time limits may not be a restriction for exam testing.
Online examinations for certifications from accredited organizations have developed different ways to satisfy the demonstration portion of the examination- for example, the clinical skills verification through documentation from an employer or school.
The self-paced convenience of online certification allows students and working professionals to obtain the necessary certification on their own time. It makes it easier to fit their education into their busy schedules.
Retaking the Exam
If you happen to fail the exam, you can retake it easily. There is no limit on the number of times you can take an exam for these certifications within a given period.
Theoretically, you can sit for as many exams as you have time for. Online testing has the potential to provide fast exam results, as well as access to review missed or incorrect questions.
You’ve Taken the Exam. Now What?
After completing the educational course and taking the exam (plus submitting documentation of your clinical skills), you should receive your certification card right away.Online PALS and BLS certification cards usually arrive via mail in about one week.
With AMRI, there is also an option to download and print a copy of your certification immediately after completing the exam.
How to Know if Online Certification is Right for You
Not everyone has the same learning style. Some students learn better with hands-on demonstrations and activities. Some people also prefer a more supervised and structured learning environment. If these sound like your preferences, then maybe obtaining your BLS, PALS, or ACLS certification through a more traditional path is best for you.
Traditional certification and courses give students the chance to work hands-on with other students and dummies. The smaller, classroom-like setting with students and instructors interacting fosters a superior learning environment for some people.
But for other people, self-paced study and courses don’t hinder their learning process. Learning on the go may be preferable to maintain a balanced schedule. Convenience and accessibility are two factors that may play a large part in making their decision to certify online.
Before you commit to an online BLS, PALS, or ACLS certification, please make sure that the program meets necessary standards and provides you with reliable, quality information.
You do this by looking for the following.
- Accreditation – Programs and organizations with accreditation have a certain standard to uphold to gain accredited status. To ensure that your program is accredited, check that they have a list of organizations where they meet the approved guidelines, such as The American Red Cross or AHA.
- Methods of contact – Using an online program, sometimes issues arise. You want to be able to have access to support services with any questions or concerns you may have. It also signals that the program is legitimate and cares about putting out a quality product.
- Continuing education hours – Programs and organizations that offer online certification courses that count towards continuing education credits is a sign that quality information is being taught. It also increases the possibility that your certification from that particular program will be recognized by your employer or school.
Just remember to be cautious- not all websites and organizations are legitimate. Do your homework and take care not to spend time and money on a course that won’t help you.
Conclusion
It is best practice to prepare for emergencies before they occur. In a sense, that’s what these certifications do. Whether you choose the BSL, ACLS, or PALS certification, they each provide you with knowledge, techniques, and skills to help assess, evaluate, and execute during life-threatening scenarios.
Visit our website to learn more and stay up to date with all of your certifications online.
