PALS Certification Class for Pediatric Healthcare Professionals

AHA PALS Provider · Same-Day Card · 2-Hour Express

PALS Certification in Chicago — For Pediatric Nurses, Doctors & PICU Staff

American Heart Association PALS Provider certification for pediatric healthcare professionals. Taught by active PICU nurses and pediatric emergency physicians. Same-day card issuance. Initial certification and renewal available across 50+ Chicago-area locations.

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Book PALS Class What PALS Covers

Who Needs PALS

PALS Certification Is Required For

If you work in pediatric acute or critical care, your employer likely requires AHA PALS certification. Here are the most common roles we certify.

Pediatric Nurses

PICU, NICU, pediatric floor, and pediatric ED nurses required to maintain PALS certification

Pediatricians & Residents

Pediatric physicians, residents, and fellows managing pediatric resuscitation and emergencies

Respiratory Therapists

RTs in pediatric units managing airway emergencies and ventilation during codes

Pediatric Dentists

Dental professionals caring for children who may encounter pediatric medical emergencies

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

Pediatric NPs and physician assistants working in acute and critical care settings

Paramedics & EMTs

Pre-hospital providers transporting critically ill or injured pediatric patients

What You Will Learn

PALS Certification Course Content

The AHA PALS Provider course covers the full spectrum of pediatric advanced life support skills for infants and children.

Pediatric Assessment & Recognition

Systematic evaluation of the pediatric patient using the Pediatric Assessment Triangle. Rapid identification of respiratory failure, shock, and cardiopulmonary arrest in infants and children.

Pediatric Airway Management

Advanced airway techniques for children: suctioning, positioning, OPA/NPA insertion, bag-mask ventilation, and laryngeal mask airway considerations. Age-appropriate equipment selection.

Cardiac Arrest Algorithms

Systematic approach to pediatric cardiac arrest including VF/pVT, asystole, and PEA protocols. High-quality CPR with proper compression depth and rate for infants vs. children.

Vascular Access & Medications

IO access technique, IV considerations in pediatric patients, and pharmacology of resuscitation drugs including epinephrine, amiodarone, and volume expanders.

Post-Arrest Care & Stabilization

Post-cardiac arrest management including targeted temperature management, hemodynamic optimization, neurologic assessment, and family communication protocols.

Team Dynamics & Communication

Role assignment during pediatric codes, closed-loop communication, family-centered care during resuscitation, and debriefing after critical events.

Class Options

Choose Your PALS Certification Path

Whether you are getting PALS certified for the first time or renewing an existing card, we have the right class for you.

PALS Initial Certification

2 hours

$255

Best for: First-time PALS students or expired cards over 30 days

Full PALS provider manual
Hands-on skills practice
Written exam
Same-day AHA PALS card
2-year certification

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PALS Renewal

2 hours

$255

Best for: Current PALS cardholders renewing before expiration

Skills refresh & update
Abbreviated review
Skills check only
Same-day AHA PALS card
2-year certification

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PALS for Groups

Flexible

Custom Quote

Best for: Hospital pediatric departments, PICUs, and pediatric clinics

On-site at your facility
Volume pricing
Flexible scheduling
Same-day AHA PALS cards
Dedicated instructor

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Why Pediatric Pros Choose Us

PALS Training Built for Pediatric Professionals

We understand that pediatric healthcare workers need efficient, specialized training that respects their time and meets strict employer standards.

Pediatric Specialists Teaching

Our PALS instructors are active PICU nurses, pediatric emergency physicians, and pediatric respiratory therapists. They teach from real-world pediatric code experience.

Same-Day Certification

Walk out with your official AHA PALS Provider card the same day as class. No waiting for cards to arrive in the mail.

50+ Chicago-Area Locations

Find a PALS class near you in downtown Chicago or suburbs. On-site training available for hospital pediatric departments.

Accepted Nationwide

AHA PALS certification is the gold standard accepted by all children's hospitals, licensing boards, and pediatric employers across the United States.

What Pediatric Pros Say

Reviews from PICU Nurses, Pediatricians & RTs

5 / 5 — Pediatric Healthcare Trusted

“This was my second training with Take Action CPR, and it was even better than the first. Bob is incredibly knowledgeable, and I walked away having learned so much, and had a lot of fun in the process!”

Christopher Brooks

Google Review · Local Guide

“I've taken many CPR classes over the years, and none have been nearly as comprehensive as this class. It was thorough, engaging, interactive, and I learned new information!”

Stephanie Madden

Google Review

“Excellent course. Location was clean and suitable for learning. Instructor was Outstanding — knowledge, personable and made the learning easy!”

Bob Paulsson

Google Review · Local Guide

Common Questions

PALS Certification — Frequently Asked Questions

PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) is an American Heart Association certification designed for healthcare providers who manage pediatric emergencies. It covers pediatric assessment, airway management, cardiac arrest algorithms, vascular access, and post-arrest care. PALS is required for pediatric nurses, PICU and NICU staff, pediatricians, pediatric residents, pediatric dentists, respiratory therapists in pediatric units, and paramedics who transport critically ill children.

AHA PALS certification is valid for 2 years from the date of issue. You should renew before your card expires to avoid any gap in your credentials. Most pediatric hospitals and children's medical centers require current PALS as a condition of clinical privileges. We recommend booking your PALS renewal 30-60 days before expiration.

Initial PALS certification takes approximately 2 hours including skills practice and the written exam. PALS renewal classes take about 2 hours since they focus on skill refresh rather than teaching from scratch. Both classes include hands-on practice with pediatric manikins, airway trainers, and pediatric-sized equipment. Our express format respects your time while maintaining full AHA curriculum standards.

BLS (Basic Life Support) covers fundamental CPR, AED use, and choking response for all ages. PALS builds on BLS and adds advanced pediatric-specific content: systematic pediatric assessment, advanced airway management, pediatric cardiac arrest algorithms, vascular access and medication administration, and post-arrest stabilization. If you work with critically ill or injured children, you need both BLS and PALS.

PALS initial certification is $255. PALS renewal is $255. Group PALS training for hospital pediatric departments and children's clinics is available at custom volume pricing. All classes include the AHA PALS Provider card valid for 2 years, same-day issuance, and all equipment and materials. We also offer BLS + PALS combo packages for new staff and residents.

Yes. We issue official American Heart Association PALS Provider cards, which are the gold standard accepted by every children's hospital, pediatric clinic, and pediatric healthcare employer in the United States. Our cards are identical to those issued by hospital education departments and are valid for 2 years. Accepted by Lurie Children's, Comer Children's, and all major pediatric centers.

If your PALS card expired within the last 30 days, you can take a PALS renewal course. If it has been more than 30 days since expiration, you will need to take the full initial PALS certification class again. Check your card's expiration date and call us at (312) 761-4859 if you are unsure which option applies. We recommend setting a reminder 60 days before expiration.

Yes. We provide on-site PALS training for pediatric departments, PICUs, NICUs, pediatric EDs, and children's clinics across Chicagoland. We bring all pediatric manikins, airway trainers, and equipment to your location and can accommodate any group size. Volume discounts apply for groups of 6 or more. We can also coordinate BLS + PALS combo sessions for new residents and nursing staff.

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