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The healthcare industry offers professionals a variety of areas in which to advance and excel. Whether you’re moving into a new position as a medical professional, first responder, or another profession that requires you to have a lifesaving skill set, it’s important to know that your new position may require some additional training, licensing or certifications.

In the healthcare industry, nurses, doctors, EMTs and other professionals are required not only to have the appropriate licenses, but also to be certified in one form or another of life support or life saving measures. Some of the common certifications are basic life support (BLS), pediatric advanced life support (PALS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). As you move into different roles within the medical field, keep these incremental certification needs in mind.

Transitioning from General Practice to Pediatrics? You’ll Need a PALS Certification

When transitioning from treating adults to children or into a pediatrics department in a hospital, it’s likely you’ll be required to have a PALS certification.

PALS certification is also required if you plan to work as a RN or nurse practitioner in hospital departments such as labor and delivery or mom/baby.

The reverse is also true. If you’re moving from a pediatric position – either as a nurse or physician’s assistant – to a high-risk setting where you’ll be working with more adults, an ACLS certification will probably be a requirement.

Moving Into an Emergency Setting? Think PALS and ACLS Certifications

If you’re moving into an emergency environment, additional certifications will be necessary. Emergency departments treat patients of all ages; therefore, you’ll probably need a PALS certification to validate your ability to work with young patients.

Individuals working outside of a hospital setting aren’t usually required to have an ACLS certification, but you should check with your potential employer to determine any certification requirements.

Moving Up in Your EMT Career? Consider ACLS or BLS Certification

Though states have varying requirements for certification and initial EMT certification programs include life support training, ACLS or BLS may be an important part of recertification or continuing education. If you’re already a healthcare professional trained in these areas, you may be able to carry over your certification into your new position. Contact your local governing body or potential employer to learn specific requirements.

If you’re looking to transition into or grow within a career as an EMT or paramedic, you’ll want to be aware of the fact that the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians designates four levels of EMTs: First Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic.

• Many emergency professionals like police and firefighters are certified first responders. They provide the most basic level of medical care because they usually are the first people to arrive at the scene.
• EMT-Basics are trained to provide care for traumatic injury and basic cardiac and respiratory needs. Often this training results from completing a BLS certification course.
• EMT-Intermediates have additional training – often ACLS certification – that allows them to use defibrillators, administer IVs and clear a patient’s airway using medical equipment.
• EMT-Paramedics are trained to provide any of the care the lower levels can provide plus read EKGs (electrocardiograms), perform intubations and use more complex medical equipment.

No matter where your career transition takes you in the healthcare industry, it’s critical to check with your potential employer or a colleague in the same line of work to verify exactly which certifications you’ll need to continue moving forward in the profession.

About Health Ed Solutions

Health Ed Solutions is a leading supplier of certification and recertification for ACLS and PALS for medical professionals and others who want to be prepared for a medical emergency. Our online ACLS and PALS courses are created for healthcare professionals who are seeking initial certification or recertification. Health Ed Solutions also offers BLS, first aid, CPR and AED courses.