PALS Initial Course
Advance your pediatric emergency care skills with our American Heart Association (AHA) Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Initial Course. Designed for healthcare professionals who direct or participate in the management of critically ill or injured infants and children, this instructor-led PALS certification course prepares participants to systematically assess pediatric patients, recognize and manage life-threatening respiratory emergencies, shock, and cardiovascular emergencies, and provide evidence-based care using the latest AHA Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC).
The AHA PALS Initial Course combines evidence-based instruction, hands-on skills practice, and realistic pediatric emergency simulations to build the knowledge, confidence, communication, and teamwork essential for delivering high-quality pediatric patient care.
Dynamic Team-Based Training
Healthcare emergencies require coordinated teams—not individuals—to perform at their best. Through high-performance, team-based training, participants work together in realistic, instructor-led pediatric emergency simulations that reflect real-world clinical scenarios. Our experienced instructors foster a supportive, low-stress learning environment where providers develop critical thinking, communication, leadership, and resuscitation skills while receiving immediate coaching and constructive feedback.
Caring for critically ill infants and children requires teams that can communicate effectively, recognize deterioration early, and make sound clinical decisions under pressure. By practicing alongside other healthcare professionals in dynamic team-based scenarios, participants build the confidence and competence needed to perform as effective members and leaders of a high-performing pediatric resuscitation team. This collaborative training approach prepares providers to deliver coordinated, evidence-based care and support the best possible outcomes for pediatric patients when it matters most.
Course Format
Prior to class, participants will obtain and review the 2025 AHA PALS Provider Manual and complete the required AHA online PALS pre-course self-assessment and pre-course work to ensure they are prepared for hands-on skills practice, case-based learning, and team-based pediatric emergency simulations.
During the in-person PALS class, participants apply their knowledge through hands-on skills practice and realistic, case-based pediatric emergency simulations using objective feedback technology. Following each scenario, instructors facilitate structured debriefings that reinforce clinical decision-making, technical performance, situational awareness, and effective team communication.
Course Completion
Participants who successfully complete the course requirements will receive an American Heart Association PALS Provider Course Completion eCard, valid for two years and accepted by hospitals and healthcare organizations nationwide.
Optional AHA HeartCode® BLS
Participants may also complete AHA HeartCode® BLS as an optional add-on to their PALS training. Registration instructions are included in your PALS course registration confirmation email.
