The American Red Cross health and safety services provide training and certification for basic life support (CPR) automated external defibrillator (AED) and first aid at both basic and first responder levels. They do not provide advanced certification courses like pediatric advanced life support (PALS) for advanced health care providers. The PALS program standards are set by the American Heart Association which also offers a PALS certification. the american heart association does not offer the only PALS course. There are different organizations that offer PALS training and certification that are based on the AHA pals standards.

The AHA does not approve or disapprove these programs. The AHA provides the current science and guidelines as well as its own certification programs. PALS programs can be accredited by different agencies. Because they are not AHA certification programs does not mean they are not legitimate. They can be legitimately accredited by another agency other then the AHA. Which program a provider should take will vary based on the individual provider needs. If an LPN wants to take a PALS course to broaden their understanding then almost any accredited program that follows AHA guidelines will do.

However, if taking PALS is an employment or academic requirement then the provider would be wise to understand what program is required. Although, the AHA PALS programs is the most common, it is not at all the only one. Many health care professional do not know this. However, if YOU are required by any organization to have the PALS certification, make sure that you know exactly which one is required or what programs are accepted BEFORE you take a class. In any case, you cannot get your PALS certification from the American Red Cross. Another thing to consider is that the AHA certification is generally accepted by all hospital systems and health care schools. So having completed and AHA course, you can rest assured that your certification is accepted anywhere in the U.S.A. The downside is that these classes are not always available, in which case another program may have to do.

PALS programs are now available online by a number of different companies. Online programs that are legit usually have a skills session in addition to the course work. These programs work for a lot of people, but not for everybody. You may have to do a bit of traveling to find the program you want to take. Don’t be surprised, this is very common. Good luck.