ACLS certification is becoming a standard employment requirement for many licensed health care providers. Whether you are a respiratory therapist, vocational or registered nurse, EMS provider, or physician, having ACLS and PALS certification can make the difference on your resume. It is best to have the certification BEFORE a prospective employer request it, and you certainly don't want to wait until the last minue to find a class. Think ahead, and get yourself enrolled sooner then later. Alot the appropriate time for training and come to class prepared. The key to having a great ACLS or PALS class is to have a solid understanding of basic life support.

Now days, basic life support is heavily emphasized and is an essential part of effective advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support. The biggest challenge for students taking these classes continues to be BLS assessment skills, interventions and ECG recognition. In both the ACLS and PALS provider program, it is essential that health care providers are able to recognize and treat V-Fib, V-Tach, PEA, and Asystole. These rhythms are guaranteed to be in the practical test, because it is part of "passing" criteria required by accredited programs. When looking for a class, be certain that you are taking a course that is going to meet your certification need. Some organizations and academic institutions require "specific" certification programs like American Red Cross First Aid, or the American Heart Association BLS or ACLS provider course. Often a health care professional will take a BLS or ACLS class without knowing exactly what "accreditation specific"certification is required of them. This can result in taking the wrong class and having to not only pay for another class, but spending the additional time necessary acquiring the needed certification.

Should I take ACLS Online?

This will largely depend on your reason for taking ACLS and any associated requirements. If you are simply interested in learning ACLS and are not required to have it for work or school then online ACLS may be an option. If it is an accredited program you will need to attend class to practice skills but the amount of class time is significantly shorter then traditional ACLS programs.

If you need ACLS for work or school then you need to be SURE that any online training is in conjunction with an actual class and skills stations. Many health care organizations ignorantly frown upon online ACLS education without understanding the growing trend and failing to look just a little bit ahead. The American Heart Association (which developed our current ACLS standards) endorses online basic and advanced life support certification that includes hands on skills stations and testing that are completed in class. So when someone tells you NO ONLINE BLS or ACLS, that person is not aware of all the facts. When taking a legitamate online course, you will actually get the same certification as if you took the entire course in a classroom.

 

California ACLS Training