Healthcare Certifications

Which Ones Are Available?

What Healthcare Certifications Do I Need?

There are different types of healthcare certifications and knowing the differences are key to obtaining the correct one for your career. The credentialing team of Premier Medical Staffing Services breaks down the top certifications for healthcare professionals.

BLS Certification

• About: Basic Life Support training reinforces a healthcare professional’s understanding of the importance of early CPR and defibrillation including but not limited to performing the basic steps, relieving choking, and using an AED.
• Suggested For: All healthcare professionals

ACLS Certification

• About: Teaches healthcare provides how to enhance their skills when treating adult victims of cardiac arrest or other cardiopulmonary emergencies.
• Suggested For:
  • LPN and Higher, but depends on unit and specialty
  • ICU/CVICU units
  • ER healthcare providers

PALS Certification

• About: Infants, children, and adolescents. Healthcare providers will learn about basic rhythms, arrhythmia, and even skills to assess at-risk patients.
• Suggested For: Healthcare providers working with infants, children or ER settings

NRP Certification

• About: Healthcare professionals who care for newborns at the time of delivery.
• Suggested For: Labor and Delivery Healthcare providers, NICU

How Do I Obtain My Healthcare Certifications?

There are two certification class formats recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA):

• Instructor-led
• Blended

Note: Online-only classes are not recognized by AHA

To find a course location in your area to obtain your certification, visit this AHA class training locator website >>

Are you in the Milwaukee, WI area? Consider signing up with Advanced Professional Healthcare Education. APHE holds courses at our corporate office every other Friday. Great spot for healthcare professionals in Southeastern Wisconsin!

• Visit APHE website >>
• Courses at Premier Medical Staffing Services in Milwaukee: View upcoming >>
• Contact Information: Adam Fritsch, 414-791-5018, Email Adam at APHE

Interesting Tid Bits About Healthcare Certifications

• No minimum age
• AED is included in all AHA CPR courses
• Cards within 20 days of successful completion
• E-cards
• Valid for 2 years
• Accepted in all US states
• Military Training Network is recognized
• During CPR, push on the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. The beat of “Stayin’ Alive” is a perfect match for this.

AHA Chain of Survival

In 1991, the American Heart Association published a paper on the actions healthcare professionals should take to treat life-threatening emergencies, including cardiac arrest and heart attack, to help improve the chances of survival and recovery. The links in the Chain of Survival are as follows:

• Recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of the emergency response system
• Early CPR with an emphasis on chest compressions
• Rapid defibrillation
• Basic and advanced emergency medical services
• Advanced life support and post-cardiac arrest care

Difference Between Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest

Did you know that most heart attacks do not lead to cardiac arrest? Discover the difference between a cardiac arrest and heart attack along with what to do when something happens. View and download the infographic from AHA >>

The American Heart Association has an abundance of resources and information that can be found on their website.