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You now have a choice in pediatric healthcare education from the first provider of resuscitation training in the United States. The Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) class from the American Red Cross is the scientifically equivalent and educationally superior choice. Not only does it include the latest science-based curriculum, but with options that allow you to streamline your training and improve skill retention, it can help you better serve your smallest patients.
Throughout your PALS course, you'll learn to assess, recognize and provide high-quality care to pediatric patients experiencing life-threatening medical emergencies, including shock, cardiac and respiratory events, as well as how to provide care after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) during a resuscitation effort. In addition, our course will challenge your critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, and help improve your teamwork skills to provide better patient care.
PALS classes are easy to integrate into your life with our innovative Blended Learning program. By combining online safety coursework with an in-person skills session, they allow you to learn at your own pace – and in the place, and on the device, you like best. Throughout the course, our interactive scenarios will help you understand the often-nuanced facets of pediatric care and will help improve your clinical decision-making skills. After completing the online portion of course, and passing the final written exam, you'll attend an in-person skills session where you'll demonstrate your PALS skills to a certified Red Cross instructor. Once you've passed both sections of the course, you'll receive a two-year Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification.
When you enroll in a PALS Blended Learning class from the Red Cross, you'll not only get world-class education, but with our adaptive learning functionality, you'll also have the opportunity to get a more personalized learning experience. And because we provide experienced participants with the opportunity to test out of sessions if they demonstrate competency, you can reduce your overall class time and earn your PALS certification faster.
PALS courses are designed for professional healthcare providers who participate in the assessment and management of critical patients, including those working in in-hospital, pre-hospital, and out-of-hospital medical facilities.
The only prerequisite for enrollment is that you must be proficient in pediatric basic life support (BLS) skills.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) teaches people how to recognize and respond to life-threatening emergencies in children and infants. Participants learn how to assess a pediatric patient’s condition, manage cardiac, respiratory or shock emergencies, interpret cardiac rhythms and work together to provide care during critical situations.
PALS courses are often offered in a blended learning format, with online lessons and an in-person assessment. The online portion covers key concepts, protocols and assessments, while the in-person session allows participants to demonstrate hands-on skills and team performance. Online PALS certification is only considered valid when it includes hands on skills evaluation and follows current resuscitation guidelines.
The time required to complete PALS certification varies based on your experience level, whether you are certifying for the first time or renewing, and the course format you choose — blended learning or instructor led. Initial, instructor led courses typically span two full days, while renewal and blended learning options require less in person time. Learners complete the online coursework in advance, allowing certification to be finalized through an in-person assessment.
Your PALS certification is valid for 2 years after completion of the course. After 2 years, healthcare clinicians should complete either a PALS recertification or full course to stay current with the latest science, guidelines and best practices in pediatric advanced life support. Renewing on time ensures clinicians are in compliance with local/state certification requirements as well as apprised of science updates and changes.
While the material is challenging, PALS training is designed to build confidence and practical skills. Reviewing course materials and actively participating in training can help learners succeed.
PALS certification does qualify for continuing education (CE) and Commission on Accreditation For Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE) credits for licensed healthcare and emergency response professionals.
The amount of CE you get depends on the course format you choose. First-time certification usually gives more credit hours than renewals. The PALS instructor-led training course is accredited by CAPCE for 17.25 Advanced Continuing Education Hours (CEH). If you need CE, check with your licensing board or employer to make sure the credits will count for your professional requirements.
Both Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) teach lifesaving skills, but they are meant for different levels of responsibility and response.
Basic Life Support (BLS) is best for people who might be the first to help in an emergency with an infant, child or adult, but don’t require more advanced training like educators, coaches, lifeguards, personal trainers, etc. BLS teaches high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) and how to respond to choking and sudden cardiac arrest until advanced help arrives.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is for people who may need to handle complex, life-threatening emergencies with pediatric patients like physicians, paramedics, nurses, dentists and other healthcare clinicians.
BLS, PALS and Advanced Life Support (ALS) each have a specific purpose, depending on who you care for and the level of care you give.
Basic Life Support (BLS) teaches initial key lifesaving skills. It covers CPR, AED use and how to respond to choking. BLS is often required for caregivers, teachers, public safety workers and healthcare staff, and it forms the base for all advanced life support training.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is focused on care for infants and children. It prepares you to identify, treat and stabilize serious emergencies like respiratory failure, shock and cardiac arrest in pediatric populations. PALS teaches skills such as pediatric assessment, medication use and working as a team.
The American Red Cross Advanced Life Support (ALS) course equips healthcare professionals to manage adult cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory emergencies through evidence based instruction, hands on skills practice, and team based scenarios.
ALS and PALS builds on the skills taught in BLS courses for more complex medical emergencies.
The American Red Cross Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Recertification Course is designed for experienced healthcare professionals to refresh and validate their ability to assess, recognize and manage pediatric patients in respiratory, shock and cardiac emergencies. The course emphasizes evidence based resuscitation practices, critical thinking, team based responses and high quality pediatric life support care through focused review, scenario based learning, and skills verification. Successful completion results in a two-year American Red Cross PALS certification.
The recertification course is intended for individuals whose PALS certification is still current or will expire within 30 days. By completing PALS recertification, you can avoid a lapse in certification and meet job or state/local compliance requirements.
