The Importance of PALS Certification and Renewal for your Medical Practice

The Paediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is focused on improving patient outcomes in critically ill or injured infants and children. Unlike the Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Basic Life Support certification, it’s an advanced course of study that can empower you with distinguished credentials.

Similar to other certifications, the PALS certification is valid for two years, and you need to opt for PALS renewal before the expiry of your current certificate. The traditional classroom experience with an instructor-led session can equip you with advanced hands-on skills and simulation that might not be possible with online classes. 

Here is a definitive guide on how to go about getting certified and when you should apply for renewal for PALS certification:

What Can You Expect from PALS Renewal and Certification Courses?

• Prompt identification of and interventions needed to mitigate pulmonary, cardiac arrest, and other emergency conditions in any pediatric patient
• Methodical approach to pediatric examination by utilizing an initial assessment, primary and secondary impressions, and diagnostic tests
• Prioritization and specific medical mediation for infants and children with respiratory and circulatory emergencies
• Understanding team dynamics and communication with clear outlines of individual roles and responsibilities in the event of a pediatric resuscitation
• Vital aspects of post-resuscitation solutions and after-care
• Effective and high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with a focus on pediatric practice
• Timely respiratory management best practices within the pediatric scope
• Selection and administration of appropriate vitals and cardiorespiratory monitoring
• Selection and application of the appropriate treatment, medications, and electrical therapies when facing a critical arrhythmia situation 
• Administer fluid and medications to ascertain rapid capsular access

All PALS courses, including certification and renewals, are designed to provide a comprehensive review of all the information related to the latest emergency cardiovascular care as per the ECC guidelines and new technology. They ensure you are fully prepared for prompt and appropriate resuscitation in infants and children. 

Why Do you Need to Consider PALS certification?

PALS refer to an essential training program that was developed in 1988 with revisions in 1997 and 1994. The course’s main aim is to support pediatric healthcare providers and empower them with the skills needed to cope with infants, kids, and critically sick babies. According to reports, early identification of failure can improve patients’ survival rate up to 85 to 90%. 

It is recommended that any healthcare provider working with children enroll in a PALS course. This can include реdіаtrісіаnѕ, emergency рhуѕісіаnѕ, nurse and paramedic professionals, general рhуѕісіаnѕ, specialists, assistants, rеѕріrаtоrу thеrаріѕtѕ, and оthеr hеаlthсаrе providers who іnstitue and monitor advanced care and life support treatment during еmеrgеnсіеѕ.

When Should You Renew your PALS Certification?

The PALS certification is valid for a period of 2 years, after which you need to enroll in a PALS renewal course to refresh your skills and reactivate the certification. Therefore, it’s essential for you to set a deadline to remember your expiration data and avoid lapse of the certification. 

Several hospitals and medical institutions in the US recognize this certification as a mandatory qualification. The renewal course is devised to checkoff your skills to build the confidence and competence you require to provide exceptional pediatric and emergency care continually.

You can take the PALS renewal before the expiry of the current certification or up to 30-days after expiration. The renewal course also accounts for CEU or Continuing Education Units up to 7.25 hours and therefore serves as another value-add in your medical qualifications.

Top Features of Classroom PALS Renewal Course

While there are online renewal courses for PALS, they may lack the American Heart Association’s accreditation and may not provide complete student support. Besides, the presence of an accommodating instructor can make it easy for you to learn at your pace and intervene if you have questions that need attention. Here are some features of classroom-based PALS renewal courses:

• Classroom-based courses work aptly for students who require group interaction and instructor feedback while learning.
• The course delivers practical, clinical situations that stimulate hands-on participation through real pediatric patient videos, high-fidelity mannequins and life-like simulations.
• Comprehensive refresher course includes modern trends, new technology inputs, medical developments, and methodological approaches to examine and care for pediatric patients in emergency situations.
• The course encourages active involvement with first-hand access structure to bolster skills proficiency and reinforcement.
• Co-branded with the American Heart Association.

According to statistics, around 16,000 children in the US suffer from cardiac arrest each year. A PALS certification and recertification can help you stay abreast of all the mandatory skills you need to possess to save thousands of lives and enhance medical outcomes. In addition, a PALS renewal may be required by your employer and open up new opportunities to expand your clinical practice as a healthcare provider.