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First aid, CPR, basic life support (BLS) or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification requirements are common in senior care, but the level of certification you require depends on your position and the type of senior care community in which you work. Here are some basic guidelines on certification requirements for senior care employees.

Resident Assistant: The basics

Resident assistants typically work in assisted living communities. Resident assistants are not required to have any formal medical training, but instead receive on-the-job training. While resident assistants mostly handle non-medical tasks and generally are under the supervision of a nurse, it is beneficial to have basic CPR and first aid certification in case of an emergency.

Licensed Nursing Assistant: BLS certification

Licensed nursing assistants work in assisted living communities or nursing homes. LNAs are generally required to have BLS certification. Because they sometimes work with residents unsupervised, BLS training is crucial.

BLS training includes:

• Rescue breathing and CPR
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Relief of choking
• Bag-mask use

Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses: ACLS review and certification

In senior care facilities, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses are responsible for much of the medical care that residents receive, and therefore are expected to possess higher levels of medical training. ACLS certification is required in most cases for RNs and LPNs.

A medical professional is able to assess life-threatening situations and provide initial care by following the protocol of ACLS. Review and bi-annual recertification for ACLS certification is necessary, as guidelines are updated frequently.

ACLS training includes:

• Managing cardiac arrest
• Identifying and treating ischemic chest pain and acute coronary syndromes
• Recognizing other life-threatening clinical situations (such as stroke) and providing initial care
• ACLS algorithms
• Effective resuscitation team dynamics

About Health Ed Solutions

Health Ed Solutions is a leader in strategically designed resources for online certification and recertification for advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and pediatric advanced life support (PALS). Our online ACLS PALS courses were produced to meet the needs of healthcare professionals. For more information on ACLS certification requirements and courses offered by Health Ed Solutions, visit www.healthedsolutions.com.