PALS
PALS Certification
Pediatric Advanced Life Support or PALS, is a critical pediatric life support course and AHA certification designed to equip healthcare providers with the skills and knowledge necessary to respond to critically ill or injured children and infants, who often hide or compensate for symptoms that often quickly become life-threatening. To prevent the decline of these pediatric patients, providers must be able to quickly diagnose the underlying cause, treat the symptoms, and closely monitor the patient. PALS certification puts the focus on improving the quality of care provided to seriously ill or injured pediatric patients and potentially improving outcomes. The PALS Certification is developed and disseminated by the American Heart Association (AHA) and other international health organizations, offering guidelines based on the latest research and consensus on pediatric emergency care.
An important aspect of PALS that underscores its effectiveness and importance is the emphasis on high-quality, team-based care. The PALS Certification course not only teaches individual skills but also focuses on the dynamics of working efficiently in a healthcare team during pediatric emergencies. This team approach is critical because successful resuscitation and stabilization often require the seamless collaboration of multiple healthcare professionals, each with their specialized roles, working under high-stress conditions. The curriculum covers communication skills, leadership roles within a resuscitation team, and the importance of mutual respect and clear communication among team members.
PALS Provider Overview
The systematic approach to assess and treat a seriously ill or injured infant/child.
Recognition and management of cardiac arrest.
Basic child and infant life support skills.
Effective resuscitation team dynamics.
Recognition and management of respiratory distress and failure, including airway management.
Recognition and management of shock, including intervascular (IV) access as well as Inter Osias (IO).
Recognition and management of arrhythmias, including electrical therapy.
Post-cardiac arrest care including targeted temperature Management (TTM).
FAQs about PALS Certification
Who should be trained in PALS?
Healthcare providers who either direct or participate in the management of respiratory and/or cardiovascular emergencies and cardiopulmonary arrest in pediatric patients. This includes personnel in rapid emergency response (RRT), emergency medicine, intensive care, and critical care units; such as physicians, physician assistants (PA), nurses (RN), nurse practitioners (NP), respiratory therapists, pharmacists, EMT-Intermediate, and paramedics.
Is the PALS Provider class in-person or online?
PALS Certification is held in person at our AHA Training Center in Laguna Niguel, California. You can also request in-person PALS certification at your location upon request.
Can I add BLS (basic life support) training to this PALS Provider certification?
Yes! While scheduling your Pals Certification or PALS Renewal course you can add BLS certification as an add-on to the PALS certification.
Is the in-person PALS training Orange County?
Yes! Our Pediatric trainings occur in person at our AHA Training Center
27601 Forbes Road Suite #20
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
How long does a PALS Certification take?
The duration of a PALS Provider course can vary, but most in-person courses take approximately 4-6 hours.
How often do I need to renew my PALS certification?
BLS certification typically needs to be renewed every two years, but this can vary by certifying organization and region. All certified through us receive notice of upcoming renewals as a complementary service.
Can I add BLS (basic life support) training to this certification?
Yes at class sign up you can add Basic Life Support training to this certification.
Is this PALS certification and PALS Renewal accredited by the American Heart Association?
Yes, it is! the AHA has authorized and accredited our Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification course since 1992!
How long until I receive my AHA Provider Card?
As a certified training center, we are the entity that provides the cards to all the other facilities in the region. So we can provide you with your AHA Provider Card immediately upon the successful course completion.
Why not just take an online PALS certification?
Well, yes, you can. There are good online courses but it is necessary to have hands-on experience to understand. In a real-world instance, adrenaline can kick in and without solid preparation and hands-on training, you may not have the kinesthetic awareness to remember your online training. It is recommended to go live in person and use online BLS classes as a skills refresh in between certifications and recertification.
Can I get continuing education credits for my PALS Certification?
You can learn more about the process and requirements for receiving credit from the AHA website.
What are the key components of PALS?
Assessment and Stabilization: PALS training emphasizes the systematic approach to pediatric assessment, including the pediatric assessment triangle (PAT), which helps in quick assessment through appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to the skin. It also focuses on stabilizing the child before a crisis becomes a life-threatening event.
Airway Management and Ventilation: The course covers advanced airway management techniques, including the use of adjuncts to oxygenate and ventilate a child who is in respiratory distress or failure.
Cardiac Arrest Management: Trainees learn to identify and treat pediatric cardiac arrest, including CPR quality, advanced airway, and the use of defibrillators and medications.
Arrhythmia Recognition and Management: It includes the recognition and management of pediatric arrhythmias that may lead to cardiac arrest or complicate resuscitation efforts.
Shock Recognition and Management: PALS courses teach how to recognize various forms of shock in children, such as hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic, and obstructive, and the appropriate interventions for each.
Resuscitation Team Dynamics: Emphasizes the importance of communication and teamwork in a resuscitation attempt, promoting a multidisciplinary team approach.