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How to Renew Your BLS Provider Certification

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Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider Certification is a life-saving technique learned and performed by first responders, healthcare professionals, and other medical providers. Nearly all healthcare workers are required to have a BLS certification and the American Heart Association recommends the course for anyone willing to take it. Because of the magnitude of impact in this emergency response, the certification needs to be renewed every other year. That way, the skills need to perform BLS are up to date and top of mind.

HeartCert students practicing BLS technique

How to Renew Your BLS Provider Certification

Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider Certification is a life-saving technique learned and performed by first responders, healthcare professionals, and other medical providers. Nearly all healthcare workers are required to have a BLS certification and the American Heart Association recommends the course for anyone willing to take it. Because of the magnitude of impact in this emergency response, the certification needs to be renewed every other year. That way, the skills need to perform BLS are up to date and top of mind.

What is a BLS Provider Certification?

A BLS is a Basic Life Support Provider Certification that signifies that a person is skilled in a list of life-saving techniques. This certification shows that you are skilled in first response to cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, or obstructions in someone’s airway. Becoming BLS certified includes knowledge in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillators (AED), and airway obstruction removals. With the BLS certification, it rewards you with the knowledge to save a life during emergency situations.

Find out More: Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers

BLS Certification: What to Expect

During training, the BLS certification includes in depth training on how to respond to unresponsive adults, children, and infants during an emergency. This comprehensive course includes:

  • Learning to recognize emergencies
  • Safe response practices
  • CPR training
  • AED training
  • Airway obstruction removal training

Instructors will teach you life-saving techniques during the BLS certification course to ensure your response in emergencies is both timely and effective.

How Long Does BLS Training Take?

The BLS Provider Certification training takes anywhere between 1.5 and 8 hours depending on the type of course and your previous knowledge of the subject. On average, you could expect to spend 4.5 hours completing the training, practice, and testing. While in-person training is more comprehensive and takes longer, there are also online options that are self-paced and often quicker.

BLS Provider Certification Exam

To take the BLS Provider Certification exam, you need to first finish your training. After learning the techniques needed for Basic Life Support, the exam takes place. During the exam, you are required to demonstrate your BLS capabilities including CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC). The skill demonstration may include an adult and infant simulation to test your knowledge. A written exam also occurs. Each has around 25 multiple choice questions. To pass this part of the exam, you need a score over 70%-80%.

BLS Provider Certification with HeartCert

HeartCert offers a comprehensive BLS course that offers a higher level of CPR certification and knowledge on how to use an AED in life-threatening emergencies. The in-class skills focus on teaching advanced CPR performed on adults, children, and infants. Made for both certified and non-certified professionals and licensed and non-licensed healthcare providers, the course offers guidance regardless of experience level.

At HeartCert, we make it our mission to be flexible with schedules and offer online training before the skills learning session. In tandem with advanced classroom instruction and skills testing, students are then able to take the exam.

HeartCert has options for everyone: blended online/in-person courses, fully online and private Kiosk sessions at several HeartCert locations

Learn more about HeartCert BLS Certification Training

HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.

Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available. We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.

How Long Does CNA Training Take?

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Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a rapidly growing career position that is relatively easily attainable and gives individuals a fantastic foundation for a promising healthcare career. CNAs assist in providing care to patients and make a significant difference in their overall well-being. So, if you’ve been considering this career path, you’re likely wondering, how long does it take to become CNA certified? At HeartCert, we’ve had hundreds of individuals go through our comprehensive CNA training and can fill you in on what you can expect from the process, including how long it takes.

What is a CNA?

A CNA is a Certified Nursing Assistant. They are responsible for providing basic patient care, such as helping with bathing, eating, using the restroom, and walking. CNAs take vital signs and may assist with medical procedures. The versatility and wide-ranging tasks of a CNA make them highly valued and essential team members in the healthcare industry, where they can make a significant difference in patients’ overall well-being.

Find Out More: What Kind of Work Does a CNA Do?

CNA Training: What to Expect 

In order to prepare students for their responsibilities as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), it’s essential to cover a wide range of information. 

Some of the topics covered include:

  • Anatomy
  • Basic nursing skills
  • Effective communication skills
  • Documentation requirements
  • Medical terminology
  • Patient care techniques

Students must be well-equipped with this knowledge to excel in their role and provide the best possible care for their patients.

How Long Does CNA Training Take?

The time it takes to complete a CNA training depends on the course you sign up for. There are several different models and program formats available, and the timeframe in which they take place will vary. Some programs are designed to be completed at your own pace, while others follow a full-time schedule with an intensive timeline for completion. Additionally, there are programs that are spread out over several months to accommodate different learning styles and scheduling needs.

Certified Nursing Assistant training typically consists of a minimum of 75 hours. Of these 75 hours, at least 16 hours consist of supervised practical training, which is conducted with a live person in a lab or a similar setting. This practical training allows CNA students to gain real-life, hands-on experience in a controlled environment, which is essential for preparing them for their role in a healthcare setting.

CNA training requirements will vary state by state. The federally required minimum is 75 hours, which must be completed in all states. Beyond that, some states may require additional hours as well. See the requirements for your state here.

CNA State Certification Exam

The state competency exam consists of two components: a written examination and a skills evaluation. During training you will be informed and prepared for taking the required examination. The purpose of the state exam is to ensure that the graduate has a comprehensive understanding of the nursing assistant’s role and can safely perform the duties expected of an entry-level nurse assistant.

CNA Training with HeartCert

The HeartCert Nursing Assistant Training Program offers students a chance to learn in a hands-on environment under the guidance of experienced licensed nurses. Our unique learning experience, coupled with a curriculum that meets or exceeds federal and state standards, ensures that our students are well-prepared for their role as CNAs.

At HeartCert, we recognize the need for flexibility. This is why we offer a variety of CNA training schedules that are designed to allow you to complete training requirements easily within your busy schedule.

With HeartCert’s comprehensive CNA training, students begin with an online curriculum. Before attending in-person sessions, students must complete the required online training. Following that, they will participate in classroom instruction, skills testing, and supervised practicals. After completing these steps, students can apply for employment or register for the state licensure exam if applicable.

Learn more about HeartCert CNA Training

HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.

Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available. We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.

How PALS Training Improves Emergency Response for Pediatric Patients

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Healthcare professionals strive to provide the best care to their patients, but the need is even more significant when it comes to caring for children and young patients. Understanding the proper techniques to use when administering medical attention to pediatric patients can be just as beneficial to their mental well-being with the situation at hand as it is to their physical care. In this article, we’ll review the importance of Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training in providing high-quality care and improving emergency response for pediatric patients.

How PALS Training Prepares Healthcare Professionals for Pediatric Emergency Situations

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training is an impactful course that enables pediatric healthcare professionals to better understand and react in emergencies. 

As described by the American Heart Association, in a PALS course, you’ll learn to assess, recognize and care for young patients experiencing life-threatening medical emergencies, such as shock, cardiac and respiratory events. You’ll also learn how to provide care after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) during a resuscitation effort.

Related Content: Essential Trainings for Healthcare Providers

Some of the benefits of Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)  training include: 

Improved Pediatric Patient Care: 

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training helps healthcare professionals improve their skills to handle medical emergencies effectively and provide high-quality care to pediatric patients.

Enhanced Team Collaboration: 

This course will challenge critical thinking and problem-solving abilities and help medical professionals improve their teamwork skills to provide better patient care.

Greater Practice Proficiency: 

Certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support enables healthcare professionals to be prepared for quick decision-making in high-stress scenarios and practice advanced interventions like airway management and medication administration.

Professional Development and Career Advancement: 

PALS certification equips healthcare professionals with strategies and protocols for managing pediatric emergencies. Acquiring a PALS certification can lead to career advancement opportunities in healthcare settings specializing in pediatric care.

Quality PALS Certification Simplified with HeartCert

PALS courses are intended for healthcare professionals such as physicians, ER nurses, respiratory therapists, and advanced emergency medical personnel who are responsible for assessing and managing critical pediatric patients.

The PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) program is designed to provide advanced pediatric healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills required to effectively and efficiently manage critically ill infants and children. By enhancing their abilities, the program aims to improve patient outcomes in pediatric emergency situations.

At HeartCert, we know how important it is for healthcare professionals to have access to high-quality certification options that can fit into their busy schedules. We offer flexible training and advanced classes to help you advance in your career. Our goal is to make the certification and recertification process easy and stress-free while providing exceptional instructors and a comprehensive curriculum.

HeartCert’s AHA PALS certification is available as an in-person course, private online with kiosk training and hybrid blended course. Find out more about HeartCert’s upcoming PALS certification courses and register for an upcoming session.

Register Today

Source: American Heart Association (AHA)

HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.

Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available. We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.

How ACLS Training Prepares Healthcare Professionals for Emergency Situations

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Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is a course designed for healthcare professionals who are involved in managing cardiopulmonary arrest, cardiovascular emergencies, or those who work in emergency response. After completing the course successfully, students will receive a course completion card that remains valid for two years. It is recommended to get in touch with your employer to confirm that the selected course is appropriate for you.

Healthcare Professionals consulting in hallway

How ACLS Training Prepares Healthcare Professionals for Emergency Situations

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)  training is a powerful course that enables healthcare professionals to better understand and react in emergency situations. As described by the American Heart Association, an ACLS course teaches the importance of preventing cardiac arrest, high-performance teams, early and continuous high-quality CPR, systems of care, recognition and intervention of cardiopulmonary arrest, post-cardiac arrest care, acute dysrhythmias, stroke, and acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

Find out more in our blog ACLS Certification: What It Is and How to Get Started

Some of the benefits of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)  training include: 

Enhanced Patient Care: Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) training gives healthcare professionals opportunities to improve their skills to manage cardiac emergencies effectively, improving patient outcomes.

Improved Team Collaboration: This training emphasizes teamwork and communication, which enhances coordination during critical situations.

Greater Practice Proficiency: Certification in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support enables healthcare professionals to be prepared for quick decision-making in high-stress scenarios and practice advanced interventions like airway management and medication administration.

Professional Development and Career Advancement: ACLS training is a great opportunity to learn evidence-based practices for cardiovascular emergencies. Certification can open up new job opportunities in cardiac-focused healthcare settings, providing a pathway for professional growth and advancement.

Quality ACLS Certification Simplified with HeartCert

As the demand for skilled healthcare professionals continues to increase, there are countless opportunities for essential training and advanced classes that can help you grow in your career. At HeartCert, we understand the importance of high-quality certification options that are flexible to accommodate the busy schedules of healthcare professionals. This is why we are on a mission to make the process of obtaining your certification and recertification easy and hassle-free, while providing you with top-notch instructors and a comprehensive curriculum.

HeartCert’s ACLS certification is available with minimal breaks, smaller class sizes, and the option to conveniently add BLS recertification during registration. Our approach makes certification achievable in one full day of training. Find out more about HeartCert’s upcoming ACLS certification courses and register for an upcoming session.

Register Today

Source: American Heart Association (AHA)

HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.

Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available. We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.

HeartCert New Course Offering: Resuscitation Quality Improvement Program

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HeartCert CPR is now offering a new Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) program meant to set a higher standard for care. Grounded in science and educational principles, the CPR improvement program aims to enhance your CPR techniques to the best of your ability. Instead of merely completing the basic course, this program goes a step further to ensure your skills are better than your peers. Keep reading to find out more information on this exciting new course offering, or click here to register before spots are filled.

What Is the Resuscitation Quality Improvement Program?

The Resuscitation Quality Improvement Program (RQI) is a new course offering that aims to help you prevent mistakes and achieve high-quality CPR in a medical emergency. Instead of learning the mere basics of CPR, the RQI program ensures you have confidence and expertise to handle any cardiac-based medical emergency. With this training, you can keep your skills up to date and aim to save even more patients in the future.

Set the Standard with High-Quality CPR Care

A mere 25% of cardiac arrest patients survive in-hospital emergencies, and that number dwindles to a mere 10% for out-of-hospital emergencies. With statistics like this, there’s a huge potential for improvement. By registering for the new HeartCert CPR Resuscitation Quality Improvement Program, we’ll help you meet your goal to deliver more flawless CPR and bring your standard and the survival statistics up.

Related Blog: How to Become CPR and BLS Certified

Where to Register for the RQI Program

If you want to improve your CPR skills with the Resuscitation Quality Improvement Program, HeartCert offers accredited classes for RQI. With years of on-hand teaching experience using American Heart Association materials, we ensure you take the learnings to heart. With the goal of making this offering flexible and readily available to all, we’ve implemented the option for our convenient kiosk method, which is entirely automated. This allows students to come into our Eagan office location anytime after they’ve completed the online training portion. Click the button below to register for the RQI program today to enhance your CPR skills and perfect your life-saving emergency response before the last few spots are taken.

Register Today

HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.

Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available. We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.

ACLS Certification: What It Is and How to Get Started

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If you are a healthcare professional looking to further your education and be more equipped to care for your patients then you may be looking for continuing education classes to maintain and further your skillset. There are many options available and one course that fits the criteria is Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). Find out more about what ACLS training is and how you can get started.

ACLS training book and heart model

What is Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification?

The American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training course incorporates the information needed to apply advanced life support measures while functioning in a team leader role.

As described by AHA here is what you will learn in this course: 

  • Basic life support skills, including effective chest compressions, use of a bag-mask device, and use of an AED
  • Recognition and early management of respiratory and cardiac arrest
  • Recognition and early management of peri-arrest conditions such as symptomatic bradycardia
  • Airway management
  • Related pharmacology
  • Management of ACS and stroke
  • Effective communication as a member and leader of a resuscitation team

Who Would Benefit from ACLS Certification?

Physicians, ER nurses, respiratory therapists, and advanced emergency medical personnel are some of the individuals who would greatly benefit from ACLS certification. This certification is especially valuable for individuals who frequently function in team leader roles or need to apply advanced resuscitation techniques for adult patients.

How to Know If I Can Take an ACLS Course?

If you’re considering enrolling in an ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) course, it’s important to know whether you meet the necessary criteria to enroll and go through the course successfully. Here are some of the recommended requirements and prerequisites: 

  • A solid grasp of cardiac rhythm interpretation is essential.
  • Working knowledge of intubation/IV techniques and advanced cardiac skills are required.
  • Excellent BLS (Basic Life Support) skills are a prerequisite.
  • Be prepared for a challenging curriculum, including both written and practical exams.

For healthcare professionals looking to enhance their expertise and advance their careers, ACLS certification can open doors to new opportunities and make a significant impact on abilities in patient care.

Quality ACLS Certification Simplified with HeartCert 

With a growing need for qualified healthcare professionals, there are many opportunities for essential training and advanced classes available. We understand there is significant value in high-quality certification options that are flexible for busy schedules. This is why HeartCert is on a mission to make obtaining your certification and recertification an easy process, all while providing you with the highest quality instructors and a comprehensive curriculum.

With BLS as a prerequisite, minimal breaks, smaller class sizes, and the option to conveniently add BLS recertification during registration, certification can be completed in one full day. Find out more about HeartCert’s upcoming ACLS certification courses and register today.

Register Today

HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.

Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available. We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.