How To Put BLS Certification On Resume

Table of content

• Introduction
• What is BLS Certificate
• How To Earn a BLS Certification
• Should I Include my BLS Certification in My Resume?
• How to put BLS certifications on your resume
• Where to list BLS certification on a Resume
• Things to Avoid While Adding BLS Certification to Your Resume
• Final Thoughts

When you mention a basic life support certification on resume, your chances lift above the rest in the job market. BLS certification offers much more than just basic knowledge. The most important things you will learn during BLS training include performing quality CPR and efficiently and effectively operating an AED when someone’s life is threatened. 

Experts claim that performing CPR right away can increase a victim’s chances of survival by two or even three times. In the first couple of minutes of cardiac arrest, if CPR is initiated, survival rates could go up by as much as 45%. Follow this guide to learn more about your BLS certificate and how emphasizing BLS certification on resume will enhance your qualifications. You will also be able to show you are prepared to deal with emergencies, making you much more attractive to hire.

What is a BLS Certification

Basic Life Support describes the care that emergency personnel, medical professionals, and the public safety community provide to people. These life-saving measures are performed on people who have had a heart attack or an obstruction in their airway.

Accurate BLS skills are important for delivering immediate medical care to adults and children in critical situations, such as breathing and cardiopulmonary emergencies. It teaches basic life support skills that can be applied in pre-hospital and in-facility settings. It also teaches about single-rescuer, multi-rescuer resuscitation, and effective teamwork. 

A BLS certification course will teach you how to spot several potentially fatal situations quickly, such as cardiac arrests and heart attacks. The course also covers how to use an automated external defibrillator, ventilate properly, and perform quality chest compressions. 

Healthcare professionals such as emergency medical technicians and paramedics can perform basic life support outside a hospital. Public safety officers, as well as those in other healthcare-related professions like nursing and medicine, should also get BLS certified on resume.

How To Earn a BLS Certification

Basic Life Support (BLS) attests to your ability to perform chest compressions and rescue breathing on an injured individual. Once you have this certification, you can confidently perform specific medical procedures, improving a patient’s chances of recovering from a heart attack or loss of breathing. Here is a guide that talks about how you can earn a BLS certificate: 

• Course Type

Before enrolling, research which course best suits your career objectives. For instance, if you work with young children or infants, you can pursue training tailored to pediatrics. However, instruction for adults and children is offered in additional courses. If you plan to work in a hospital with high-risk patients, you may need to obtain advanced cardiovascular life support certification from a specific medical organization.

• Enroll in an Accredited Course

Almost any commercial organization that hosts BLS classes issues a certification proving you have received training. Before enrolling in a course, ask your HR department which companies they prefer if you want a certification to add to your resume.

• Register and Attend the Classes

After enrolling in a course that meets your needs, attend classes to learn the correct form and method for performing BLS. Pay attention to the teacher’s demonstrations and make notes. When you are ready, practice on models.

• Attempt the Certification Exam

Students frequently have to give an in-person demonstration for the test at the end of the lesson. In certain assessments, students might even be required to demonstrate their understanding of particular concepts through writing, such as the proper depth and quantity of chest compressions.

• Renew Your License if Necessary.

Certain employers mandate that their staff members update their BLS certifications. This renewal demonstrates that they still know enough BLS. After a certain amount of time, depending on the original course you took, you might need to retake it in its entirety or finish a shortened renewal process.

By performing BLS within three to five minutes of collapse, a 50–75% survival rate can be attained. Thus, once you obtain this beneficial certificate, it is imperative to know how to write a BLS certification on resume to make it more appealing.

Read More: CPR vs. BLS Training: What Sets Them Apart? (aclsnow.com)

Why Should You Include BLS Certification in Your Resume?

Putting your Basic Life Support (BLS) certification on your resume may be as important as getting it. It’s a must for healthcare workers, but it’s also important for people in many other fields.

• When you add BLS Certification to your resume, Employers see that you are ready, responsible, and care about safety. This makes you stand out from other applications.
• The important thing is to make sure that your resume highlights your skills in the best way possible. For instance, if you are applying for a job where you will be around customers often, you can list your certifications like first aid, BLS, and CPR.
• Additionally, if you want to improve your resume, adding a professional touch might be the key.  BLS certification would strengthen your resume if you were looking for your first pharmacy job.
• Additionally, candidates applying for jobs in the medical field must show that they are BLS certified on their resume. These professionals may be disqualified immediately if their resumes do not show they are certified in BLS.

Furthermore, even if you are not applying for a medical job, having a CPR certification on resume is still helpful. Having this certification on file demonstrates your commitment to upholding your social responsibility. So, when you’re ready to step up your resume game, remember that these certifications and experiences can lead to new chances if you present them correctly.

How to Put BLS Certifications on Your Resume?

BLS certifications are always a plus because they let the hiring manager know you have the experience and credentials required for the job. Knowing how to put BLS certification on resume can be beneficial to make your resume attractive. When listing your BLS certification on your resume, you must include the following information:

1. The certification’s name
2. The organization name that bestowed it 
3. Date of achievement
4. The location (city, state), if completed offline
5. Simply write “Online Course” or the certification provider’s name if the work was done online.

Where to List BLS Certification on a Resume?

A BLS certification can help you stand out by demonstrating your proficiency in vital life-saving techniques. Even though it might not result in a pay raise, it might increase your employment options. However, knowing the proper placement and how to add BLS certification on resume will change depending on the position and your overall profile. Let us examine how to add BLS to resume: 

• Certifications Section

Firstly, make a separate section in the resume to add the BLS certification. This will boost your resume. For example, it may add bonus points if you work in childcare or hospitality. You can showcase that in the Certifications section if that’s the case. Here’s a BLS certification resume example:

‘Certifications: 

• BLS Certified – (name of the Institute) received on 30th June 2024.’

• Education Section

Certain certifications, like those in nursing, are a required component of your formal education rather than an “add-on.” The BLS certification would be more appropriate to include under the “Education” section. The following is an example of how to list a BLS certification under education on a resume:

‘Education:

• Bachelor of Nursing, XYZ University
• Additional Training: BLS and First Aid, (name of the institute)’

This method shows that you know the specific skills the employer is looking for and are not just listing abilities randomly.

• Professional Summary

If your BLS certification is required for the position, include it in your professional summary.  Consider a hiring manager, for instance, looking for a role where you supervise employee safety. Their desk contains two nearly identical resumes, but yours has a proper BLS description for resume mentioned clearly in an appropriate section. Thus, a detailed resume emphasizing a life-saving ability will appeal to the manager more. For instance, in a resume applying for a nursing position:

• ‘Skills: Patient care, Medical Administration, Basic Life Support (BLS) ‘

Match your BLS certification with the requirements to show you are a good fit for the position. Make your BLS certification stand out if the job description highlights the value of healthcare or emergency preparedness. 

Things to Avoid While Adding BLS Certification to Your Resume

Although having a BLS certification can improve your job application, it is important to know how to put BLS on resume properly and avoid a few common mistakes.

• Excessive Focus on Your Credential

Include your BLS training only in conjunction with relevant skills, and make sure its placement complements your other essential credentials. It is a valuable addition if you work in education, but it should not take precedence over your primary teaching credentials.

• Ignoring Certification Expiration Dates

It is imperative to maintain awareness regarding the validity of your BLS certifications. Employers may perceive expired certifications as a sign of carelessness. Include only certifications that are still in effect right now, or make it clear if you are in the process of renewing. The BLS certificates are valid for two years. So, make sure to avoid adding those certificates that have already crossed the expiry date.

• Significance of the Certification

Although BLS training is a vital skill, not all jobs require it. For positions where BLS certification is not important, it is preferable to concentrate on job-specific skills and qualifications. Moreover, verify whether the country or region you are applying to accepts your BLS certification if you apply abroad.  Different BLS certifications may be accepted in other places.

• Falsifying Your Certification 

A job termination and potential legal ramifications may follow from falsely adding a bls certification on resume. Companies frequently confirm these qualifications before hiring. Being dishonest could cost one future opportunity in the same or a related field.

• Do Not Forget To Add The Certification Authority

There are countless certification programs globally. However, a certification from a well-known organization is more valuable. The date of obtaining the certificate must also be kept in mind. You can mention the name of the organization and the date of obtaining the certificate in a separate section to make it look informative and clear.

Read more: What is ACLS certification & Who needs it? (aclsnow.com)

Final Thought

Getting to know about how to write bls certification on resume is a good way to boost your resume when looking for a job in the medical field. It shows knowledge of lifesaving techniques, a positive attitude, and commitment toward community safety. 

Listing your BLS certification on your resume can do much more than explain your technical skills; it conveys to the employer that you are mature, driven, and ready to accept large responsibilities. If you live in an area where emergency preparedness is of great value, highlight your BLS certificate on resume and allow it to be a guide in expressing how you can make a positive impact. The accreditation of BLS holds more importance than just a certificate, as it attests that one has the practice to do the right thing and do it effectively in any emergency.