PEDIATRIC ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT (PALS) PROVIDER

PEDIATRIC ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT (PALS) PROVIDER

The AHA's PALS Provider Course 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 course includes a series of case scenario practices with simulations that reinforce important concepts. The course reflects science and education from the 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC). 

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE?

PALS is designed for healthcare providers who respond to emergencies in infants and children and for personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care and critical care units. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a course completion card, valid for two years. Please contact your employer to ensure that you are selecting the correct course.

PALS is geared towards advanced prehospital and in-facility providers such as paramedics, nurses, physicians, and supporting staff involved in the response to, and care of, pediatric shock, respiratory, and cardiovascular emergencies.

This course is appropriate for advanced medical providers and healthcare professionals such as:

  • Paramedics
  • RNs, CRNAs, APNs, and Nurse Practitioners
  • Physicians and PAs
  • Other Healthcare Providers or Professionals, and Medical or Healthcare Students

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE TEACH?

After successfully completing this course, students will be able to

  • 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

WHAT FORMAT IS THIS COURSE TAUGHT IN?

This course can be taken in either a blended learning, or traditional classroom format.

HeartCode PALS is a hybrid, blended learning course which involves a combination of eLearning followed by an in-person skills check with an American Heart Association PALS Instructor. Students first complete an adaptive, self-directed, online course including the written exam. Students then schedule and meet with an American Heart Association PALS Instructor to perform their hands-on skills performance evaluation. Students must successfully complete both the online and in-person requirements to receive their course completion eCard.

Instructor-Led Training (ILT) is an entirely in-person course whereby a student attends and receives their training in a traditional classroom setting. This course is conducted entirely in-person by American Heart Association PALS Instructors utilizing videos, skills demonstrations, lecture, and discussion. Students must successfully complete all course requirements, including the written exam and skills performance to receive their course completion eCard.

WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF THIS COURSE?

HeartCode PALS: Total Time Varies (eLearning) + (In-Person 4h 50m)*

Instructor-Led Training Full Course: 16h 45m (not including breaks)*

Instructor-Led Training Update Course: 8h 15m (not including breaks)*

* Course completion times may, and often do vary based on many factors such as course format, number of students, student:manikin ratio, individual learner abilities, remediation, and other parameters. Listed course lengths are approximations only.

WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES FOR TAKING THIS COURSE?

Students taking an ACLS Provider course MUST be proficient in:

  • Performing high-quality BLS skills according to the current AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC*
  • Providing bag-mask ventilations
  • Reading and interpreting electrocardiograms (ECGs)
  • Understanding PALS pharmacology

* While having current AHA BLS Provider status is no longer a prerequisite or requirement prior to taking the PALS Provider course, it is STRONGLY recommended.

HeartCode PALS: Students must successfully complete the HeartCode Online training prior to attending the in-person hands-on skills check. Students must bring the printed course completion certificate to their skills check.

Instructor-Led Training: Students must complete the online PALS Precourse Self-Assessment and achieve a score of at least 70% prior to attending the classroom course. Students must print their scoring report and bring it with them to the classroom course. Students attending a PALS Provider Update (Renewal) course must also bring a copy of their current PALS Provider card to the classroom course. 

WHAT ARE THE COURSE COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS?

HeartCode PALS: Successful completion of the HeartCode PALS Online course, which includes the written examination, followed by successful hands-on skills demonstration with an AHA PALS Instructor. Skills demonstration includes BLS / CPR, airway management, rhythm recognition, pharmacology, vascular access, and management of shock and cardiopulmonary arrest.

Instructor-Led Training: Successful skills demonstration including BLS / CPR, airway management, rhythm recognition, pharmacology, vascular access, and management of shock and cardiopulmonary arrest. Students must also complete a 50 question written examination and achieve a passing score of 84% or above.

WHAT TYPE OF CERTIFICATE OR CARD WILL I RECEIVE?

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be issued an American Heart Association course completion eCard, which is valid for two years.

WHERE CAN I FIND OR REGISTER FOR AN UPCOMING CLASS?

Visit our class registration page to view and register for any of our upcoming classes. 

Prefer to attend this class at your location? We offer on-site training for groups of six or more. Simply visit our training request page and complete the online questionnaire. Our friendly staff will contact you to review your request. 

Disclaimer: The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in BLS, ACLS, and PALS and has developed instructional materials for this purpose. Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the American Heart Association. Any fees charged for such a course, except for a portion of fees needed for AHA course materials, do not represent income to the Association.