PALS Initial Certification – In-Person Classroom Course

The PALS Initial Certification Course is the full, instructor-led training for healthcare providers who are new to Pediatric Advanced Life Support or whose PALS certification has been expired for an extended period. This hands-on classroom course follows the American Heart Association (AHA) PALS Provider curriculum and focuses on early recognition of pediatric deterioration, respiratory management, shock treatment, and coordinated team-based resuscitation.

Through guided instruction and pediatric megacode simulations, students build the confidence needed to manage life-threatening emergencies involving infants and children.

What the PALS Initial Course Covers

This course covers the complete AHA-approved PALS Provider classroom learning objectives, with hands-on instruction and pediatric-focused simulation.

Clinical Skills & Assessment

• Live instructor-led PALS training
• Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) application
• Pediatric airway and respiratory management practice
• Early recognition of respiratory distress and respiratory failure
• Shock recognition and intervention scenarios
• Pediatric megacode simulations

Algorithm-Based Management

• PALS bradycardia and tachycardia pathways
• Pediatric cardiac arrest algorithms
• Respiratory failure identification and intervention steps
• Pediatric shock management pathways
• Post–cardiac arrest stabilization principles

Team Dynamics & Megacode Performance

• Closed-loop communication
• Shared mental models during pediatric resuscitation
• High-performance pediatric team roles
• Structured pediatric megacode decision-making under pressure

All students complete both the PALS written exam and a hands-on pediatric megacode evaluation to earn their certification.

Why Choose In-Person PALS Training?

Our in-person PALS course is ideal for students who benefit from direct instructor guidance, hands-on skills practice, and scenario-based training.

• Real-time coaching from expert instructors
• Ideal for providers new to pediatric advanced life support.
• Practice airway, breathing, and circulation management with instructor feedback.
• Apply PALS concepts in realistic infant and child emergency scenarios.

Required Pre-Course Assessment (AHA Requirement)

The American Heart Association requires completion of a free pre-course assessment prior to attending in-person PALS training. This assessment helps ensure students arrive prepared for hands-on instruction and scenario-based practice.  The assessment can be found here: https://elearning.heart.org/course/427

Certification

• Official AHA PALS Provider eCard issued upon successful completion
• Certification is valid for two years
• Accepted by hospitals, clinics, surgical centers, EMS agencies, and other healthcare employers

Textbook Requirement

• Students are required to have the AHA-approved PALS Provider Manual used for the current classroom curriculum. If you already own the textbook, you may bring it with you. Otherwise, it may be purchased during registration.

Training Locations

This PALS Initial course is taught in person at:

Oakland Training Center

333 Hegenberger Rd, #855
Oakland, CA 94621

Prefer a convenient location option for your group of 8 or more?

Project Heartbeat makes every effort possible to provide classes available throughout the entire Bay Area.

In addition to classes conducted at one of our facilities, Project Heartbeat understands that it is much more convenient to send 1 instructor to your facility rather than sending all your students to ours. Therefore, any of our classes can be personalized to your needs and conducted at your home, workplace, school, hospital, or other healthcare facility.

Onsite classes can be scheduled 7 days a week during the morning, afternoon, early evening, or even during an extended work lunch break.

We will make every effort to tailor a class specific to your needs!