What Is PALS?

What Is PALS?

There are numerous certifications within the healthcare industry to help ensure that qualified medical providers are indeed capable of providing care and services that match said certifications. In other words, they help employers know whether or not a candidate is qualified to handle the responsibilities of a specific position. And for certifications that need to be retaken every few years, they also provide healthcare professionals with refreshers on various medical procedures, lifesaving techniques, etc. So, what is PALS? And more specifically, what is PALS certification? PALS is an acronym that stands for Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and someone with a PALS certification ought to be capable of providing necessary and potentially life-saving care to children and infants who may be critically injured or ill.

While every industry has its own need for certifications and various licenses, certifications like PALS are particularly valuable because PALS courses are designed to inform medical personnel of the best practices and procedures for addressing a potentially life-threatening emergency or illness. More specifically, the courses provide invaluable training and review materials related to arrhythmias, sudden shock, airway obstructions, and additional emergencies that necessitate rapid action.

A PALS course can assess a handful of relevant skills and aptitude for proper procedures, including using an AED, administering CPR, managing respiratory emergencies, vascular access, airway control, and more. PALS courses also focus on how to adjust these vital skills and procedures so that they can be administered appropriately and carefully when responding to a child or infant’s medical emergency. And because many healthcare professionals who need PALS certification will be working in hospitals, urgent care facilities, or other similar facilities, PALS certification courses also highlight the importance of effective communication and teamwork in group settings. These are just a few key items to keep in mind when obtaining your PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certification.

PALS Online Course

There are a handful of different methods one could utilize to obtain their PALS certification; some people may prefer to enroll in an in-person PALS class, but you can also complete a PALS online course. One of the benefits of taking a PALS course online is that you can, in some cases, go through the course at your own pace. If you’re the type of person who likes to break things up into smaller chunks, you can do it that way. Or, if you’re the type of person who simply prefers to get things accomplished as quickly as possible, you can potentially receive your online PALS certification the same day you sign up.

From a structural perspective, taking an online PALS course will look very similar to taking a PALS course in person. PALS courses, online and in-person, both include a basic overview of PALS topics, provide relevant information for course-takers to review, and then ultimately, you must pass an examination before receiving your certification. Upon completion and passing of the exam, course-takers will be given a digital PALS provider card, and a physical card will be sent through the mail, which can then be presented to your current or prospective employer.

In a world that increasingly relies on digital technology for a wide range of other activities, it makes sense that more people would expect to see options available for completing certification or recertification courses in an online capacity. Additionally, many people may prefer the freedom to complete an online course in their own time as opposed to studying and taking the course in a classroom or in-person setting. This approach can also afford people the ability to study and take the exam at their own pace, which is especially invaluable to numerous healthcare professionals who likely work long, difficult hours and may not have the time or flexibility within their schedules to attend an in-person course.

PALS Online Renewal

Because a PALS certification is only valid for two years, PALS certification holders must recertify at least every 24 months. For healthcare professionals seeking PALS recertification, there are PALS online renewal options as well, which can be much more affordable and convenient than more traditional, in-person recertification methods. By taking a PALS recertification course online, you can manage the process at your own pace instead of struggling to fit in-person classes into your schedule.

The general purpose of a PALS certification course is to assess your knowledge of the PALS algorithm and procedures. This is important because healthcare professionals can expect to work frequently in environments in which providing lifesaving care may be necessary – especially on short or unexpected notice. Medical professionals must be able to recall information in the heat of the moment when mere seconds are the difference between life and death. It may sound dramatic, but many certification initiatives exist partly to help keep lifesaving medical procedures at the forefront of medical professionals’ minds should the need ever arise.

Furthermore, just because you can renew your PALS certification online doesn’t mean that any of the material has been diluted. The information contained in a PALS certification exam can be complex, so if this is your first time seeking PALS certification or if it’s been a while since your last PALS certification, it still helps to study or review the appropriate materials to ensure a positive outcome. Take a PALS practice exam, make or review flashcards, or utilize other proven study methods and techniques to help ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.

BLS, ACLS, and PALS Certification Bundle

In addition to the PALS, other certifications like BLS (Basic Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) are available for online certification and recertification. As digital technology and capabilities continue to improve, more and more organizations may consider offering remote certification courses. And in cases where an individual is seeking BLS / ACLS / PALS certification, some organizations, like eMedCert, may be able to offer a BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification bundle.

While you may find bundles for only ACLS and PALS for certification and recertification purposes, not every healthcare professional is required to be certified in both. Which certifications are requirements really depends upon the employer and the type of position that needs to be filled. In many cases, obtaining your ACLS and PALS certification together as a part of a bundle can save time and money, especially when taking advantage of a discounted bundle deal.

The primary difference between PALS and BLS is that PALS covers a bit more advanced material than BLS. Because of this, some bundle packages may request that the buyer pays for ACLS and PALS certifications, and then they would receive a BLS certification course as well at no additional cost.

eMedCert provides a PALS Recertification course starting at only $119, a first-time PALS certification course for only $169, and bundle packages for ACLS, BLS, PALS starting at $238. By taking advantage of eMedCert’s online courses and bundle packages, you can ensure that you are able to take exams and study the material at your convenience – with access to unlimited exam retakes as well. The courses are accessible from anywhere with a reliable internet or network connection, and users can access the interactive training materials whether they’re using a computer, tablet, or mobile device – Android or iOS.

PALS Certification

Who needs a PALS certification – certain doctors, certain nurses? Even if your employer doesn’t necessarily require a PALS certification, simply having a valid certification can help healthcare professionals stand out as candidates applying for a particular position, and in some instances having additional certifications can act as leverage during salary and benefits negotiations. That having been said, most individuals that become PALS-certified do so because they are required to. Many positions within the healthcare industry may require a PALS certification or something similar – emergency response personnel, nurses, doctors, and especially healthcare professionals who regularly work in facilities with children present.

PALS certification cost is generally affordable, especially considering that certifications are valid for up to two years. If it’s your first time buying an online PALS certification from eMedCert, the cost of your certification averages out to be only a little over seven dollars per month for the whole two years. A subsequent recertification PALS course would only cost you less than five dollars per month in the following two years. Also, in many cases, your employer will pay for or reimburse you for the cost to take a PALS course. All of this is to say that taking advantage of online certification and recertification courses can be an invaluable investment. Not only are you refreshing yourself on the important procedures involved in life-saving healthcare, but you are likely fulfilling the requirements of your employer as well.

Be sure to check with your employer about whether or not you need to obtain your PALS certification (or any other medical certification, for that matter), and be aware of when your certification expires. While online certification and recertification courses certainly make the process more accessible to some, it’s still important to allow yourself enough time to review the materials and procedures of the online course material to ensure that you pass. Once you’ve passed and shared your certification credentials with your employer or prospective employer, you are basically all set for two years until it’s time to schedule a recertification course.