How long is my ACLS/PALS certification good for?

How-long-is-my-ACLS-PALS-certification-good-for
  • Updated on: May 7, 2024

Advanced cardiac life support is a training program for healthcare professionals. This equips them with the necessary skills to manage cardiac emergencies. ACLS offers more advanced training and interventions to manage complex cardiac emergencies. If you are wondering ‘how long does ACLS certification last,’ this blog is for you. Keep reading the blog to know how long ACLS is good for. 

 

What are the benefits of ACLS certification?

Here are some benefits of seeking an ACLS certification course:

  1. ACLS teaches how to handle emergencies: Most individuals are unfamiliar with ACLS and its benefits. Critical scenarios can cause a person’s heart rate to drop suddenly, causing asthma attacks and septic shock.
  2. Covers several topics: This is another common question that often arises in the minds of individuals. The course covers steps to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, using an automated external defibrillator, and many other things. It covers multiple medical conditions that may interrupt the blood supply.
  3. Provides an overview of life-threatening medical conditions: Being ACLS certified means it could give you an idea about the distinct medical conditions. These are life-threatening conditions, such as cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure, and bleeding disorders.
  4. It helps you stand out in the competitive job market: The job market in the medical industry is competitive, with healthcare institutions looking for candidates with increased training and certifications. An ACLS certification makes you more ‘marketable’, especially if you want to stick to your preferred job. It captures the attention of all employers while putting your application above everyone else’s.
  5. Increase your reputation in your field: Industry leaders, medical institutions, and peers often judge you based on your experience. The top leaders and medical experts hold several certifications. These help advance their careers.

 

Who can take the ACLS certification?

ACLS certification is crucial for healthcare professionals. It provides them with specialized training to manage emergencies. The course covers the same modules for both nurses and doctors. For example, members of the medical staff who work with cardiac patients can benefit from seeking an ACLS certification. This is because they are responsible for offering CPR with the help of an AED.

However, ACLS nursing certification is not only for nurses, paramedics, and doctors. Other emergency responders, such as police officers and firefighters, can also benefit from ACLS training.

 

Can anyone get ACLS certified?

ACLS training is ideal for nurses, medical professionals, and students who are not enrolled in a nursing school or have graduated but would like to work as nurses. The ACLS certification for medical professionals, nurses, and students can give applicants an added edge.

 

How does PALS certification benefit you?

A pediatric advanced life support course plays a crucial role in saving young lives. This specialized program is designed for healthcare professionals, and here are its benefits:

  1. Enhanced pediatric emergency response: PALS enhances the response to pediatric emergencies. Infants and children differ in their own ways. This specialized knowledge enables them to act quickly and effectively.
  2. Team dynamics and communication: During pediatric emergencies, effective teamwork ensures successful resuscitation. It helps communicate and collaborate. It further enhances coordination, leading to efficient care for children.
  3. Early recognition: PALS training makes a healthcare provider proficient enough to identify the early signs of concern. The course teaches ways to assess and monitor the symptoms. This enables medical professionals to recognize changes in a child. You can react promptly and offer appropriate interventions.
  4. Evidence-based guidelines: PALS training keeps healthcare providers updated with the most current recommendations and algorithms. You can offer quality care by referring to the evidence-based guidelines.

Read More: Elements of Effective Team Dynamics in ACLS

 

Who needs PALS certification?

PALS courses are ideal for professional healthcare providers who manage children. This includes both infants and children.

 

How long does PALS/ACLS certification last?

Individuals often ask, ‘how long is ACLS/PALS good for?”. The answer is two years. You will see an expiration date on your certification card, which should be two years from the certification date. Once the date has passed, your certification is no longer valid, and you must renew your certification.

Read More: What is the Pediatric Chain of Survival?

 

Why must you renew your certification?

If you have completed your ACLS or PALS course and have obtained the certification, then there is no need to retake the certification course. Doing so would mean additional expenses and study time. Instead, you will want to take your ACLS renewal or PALS renewal course.

 

Conclusion

Now that you know how long is ACLS good for and how long is PALS good for, you can renew conveniently. Acquiring ACLS and PALS certification is advantageous for the respective reasons mentioned above. They benefit individuals in different ways. ACLS/PALS certification is good for two years. If your certification is expired, you must recertify to refresh your skills. Once you pass the exam, you will get a proof of completion instantly.