Pediatric Advanced Life Support
The AHA’s PALS Course is for healthcare providers who either direct or participate in the
management of respiratory and/or cardiovascular emergencies and cardiopulmonary arrest in
pediatric patients. This includes personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive
care, and critical care units such as physicians, nurses, paramedics, and others who need a PALS
course completion card for job or other requirements.
The course has been updated to reflect new science in the 2020 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC. The goal of the PALS Provider Course is 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. This course uses precourse preparation, didactic instruction, and active participation in learning stations and simulated cases.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a certification card that is valid for two years.
Class Costs
Heart Code PALS Online
$375
HeartCode® PALS Online is a self-directed, comprehensive eLearning program that uses adaptive learning technology to allow learners to acquire and demonstrate Advanced Cardiac Life Support skills using a personalized learning path that adapts in real time to a learner’s performance. The program is designed for healthcare professionals who need Advanced Cardiac Life Support training for their clinical duties. HeartCode® PALS Online consists of a cognitive portion that is completed online. A separate hands-on skills assessment session with an AHA Instructor is required to earn a valid AHA PALS Provider eCard that is valid for two years.
SKILLS ONLY
$200
Must have online modules completed prior to scheduling
Please email training@nursementor.net for any questions about our class costs
The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in all AHA courses and has developed instructional materials for this purpose. Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the AHA. Any fees charged for such a course, except for a portion of fees needed for AHA course materials, do not represent income to the AHA.
Important Information
What is taught in the 2020 PALS Provider Course?
In the 2020 PALS Provider Course, students will learn and practice
• Skills:
Performing child and infant CPR
Using oxygen delivery and airway management equipment
Establishing intraosseous (IO) access and a method for giving rapid fluid boluses
Using electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring
Providing defibrillation/cardioversion
• Pediatric assessment: A systematic approach
• Medical management:
4 types of acute respiratory problems
4 types of acute circulatory problems
4 types of acute cardiac problems, including cardiac arrest
• Leadership: Communication and other important elements of team dynamics as they relate to resuscitation
Prerequisites for taking the PALS Course
Before taking PALS, students should have a mastery of infant and child BLS skills. Students should also
Be able to recognize a variety of heart rhythms
Be familiar with different types of airway management tools and how they are used
Have knowledge of the drugs commonly used in the PALS algorithms and flowcharts
Understand the Systematic Approach Algorithm and the “evaluate-identify-intervene” sequence
Provider Manuals
Provider manuals are mandatory per AHA guidelines as of February 1, 2021. You may purchase or bring a 2020 provider manual. HeartCode PALS Online includes an eBook.
You may purchase books here
Precourse Work
Students review course content through online interactive videos before they enter the classroom. Video lessons cover multiple medical subjects to prepare students for the course. Each lesson includes questions to engage students. This format allows more classroom time for hands-on skills training and leads to students being better prepared to participate as soon as they enter the classroom.. This is mandatory and must be completed prior to class. You will need to email the completion certificate to us on the day of your scheduled hands-on skills session.
Precourse work includes the mandatory Precourse Self-Assessment, followed by video lessons. The course is structured as follows:
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Core concepts are presented online through interactive video lessons. Video lessons are completed before coming to class. Then Instructors lead discussions and case-based scenarios around a manikin during class.
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The Instructor coaches students by using a feedback device as they practice CPR and ventilation skills.
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The Instructor monitors as each student/team demonstrates skills proficiency as outlined in the skills testing checklist.
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Students take the PALS Provider Course Exam exam to confirm their understanding of core concepts.
To be successful and get the most of the classes offered, completing all pre-course assignments are required. If you do not have your pre-course assignment completed and/or do not bring or email your completion certificate to your instructor prior to class, you cannot attend. You may reschedule but there will be a 50% service charge. This means that you will have to pay an additional fee to reschedule.
PreCourse Self-Assessment
The Precourse Self-Assessment is an online tool that evaluates a student’s knowledge in 3 sections: rhythm recognition, pharmacology, and practical application. Students complete the assessment before the course to help evaluate their proficiency and determine the need for additional review and practice before the course. All students must complete the Precourse Self-Assessment and achieve a score of at least 70% before taking the PALS Course.
This is mandatory and must be completed prior to class. You will need to email the completion certificate to us on the first day of the 2-Day Course or before arriving for the hands-on skills session.
This is required and you must pass with a score of at least 70%. To complete, see below:
PALS Initial: PALS Precourse Self-Assessment and Precourse Work
PALS Update: PALS Precourse Self-Assessment
There is no cost for these assignments.
To be successful and get the most of the classes offered, completing all pre-course assignments are required. Students need to make sure they are prepared for the PALS Provider Course to minimize the risk of failing the course. If you do not have your pre-course assignment completed and/or do not bring or email your completion certificate to your instructor prior to class, you cannot attend. You may reschedule but there will be a 50% service charge. This means that you will have to pay an additional fee to reschedule.
Current Certification
If you have an expired provider card or do not possess a provider card, you may be allowed to take a renewal course but will not be given the option of remediation. If you get less than an 84% on the written or do not successfully pass the skills testing on your 1st attempt, you will need to repeat the entire update (renewal) provider course. You will incur all fees associated with the repeat class if you cannot successfully meet the course completion requirements when tested.
If you do not have your card, you can try and search for it on the AHA eCards Verification page.
You do not need to have a current BLS Provider card to take ACLS but you are expected to be proficient in BLS skills. You will be tested on your BLS skills at your hands-on testing session.
AHA Provider Card
We no longer mail physical cards. All AHA cards will be sent as e-cards to the email you noted during registration. You will receive your e-card within 1-2 business days. You may verify your e-card at the AHA eCards Verification page after the 2nd day.
Registration
Advanced registration is requested no later than 14 days prior to the first day of the course. Early registration is advised to allow time to receive pre- course materials. In order to achieve maximum success in all courses, pre-course preparation is essential.
Classes fill up quickly and will close when the maximum enrollment is reached.
Testing
Knowledge Testing: You must pass a written exam or the online exam with a score of 84% or better. The AHA has an open-resource policy for exams which means you can use the following resources while taking your test:
Provider manual (printed or eBook),
Any notes taken during the course,
Posters
2020 Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care for Healthcare Providers
2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care
Skills Testing: PALS skills testing includes:
Passing the 1- and 2-Rescuer Child BLS With AED and 1- and 2-Rescuer Infant BLS Skills Tests
Passing 2 PALS core case scenarios (1 cardiac and 1 respiratory or shock), providing appropriate medical treatment and demonstrating effective team dynamics
Required skills stations include:
Child CPR and AED
Infant CPR
Airway Management
Rhythm Disturbances/Electrical Therapy
Vascular Access
HeartCode skills sessions are done by appointment only. Send an email to schedule.
Class Length
Initial: 11-12 hours
Renewal/Update: 8-9 hours
Hands-on Skills Testing: 1-2 hours
Refunds, Cancellations, and Rescheduling
Due to the limited number of seats, refunds will not be given except in emergencies with documentation. You may reschedule but will only be added as a registrant if there are still seats available 10 days prior to the next scheduled course.