Advanced Certificate in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

Advanced Certificate in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) provides learners with advanced knowledge of the recognition and initial management of critically ill or injured infants and children. The programme focuses on systematic paediatric assessment, recognition of respiratory failure and shock, airway and ventilation support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, cardiac arrest management, rhythm recognition, defibrillation, medication principles, post-resuscitation care, and effective team-based emergency response. Emphasis is placed on early identification of life-threatening conditions, structured clinical decision-making, effective communication, and coordinated resuscitation care.

Skills Covered

• Principles of Pediatric Advanced Life Support
• Systematic paediatric assessment
• Recognition of critically ill children
• Paediatric airway assessment and management
• Oxygenation and ventilation support
• Recognition of respiratory distress and respiratory failure
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Recognition and management of paediatric cardiac arrest
• Paediatric shock recognition and management
• Cardiac rhythm recognition principles
• Defibrillation and cardioversion principles
• Emergency medication principles
• Bradycardia and tachycardia management
• Seizure and altered-consciousness emergencies
• Post-cardiac arrest care principles
• Continuous patient monitoring
• Team-based resuscitation
• Emergency communication and leadership
• Clinical documentation and handover
• Patient safety during resuscitation

Why Join This Programme?

• Develop advanced knowledge of paediatric emergency and resuscitation principles.
• Learn structured approaches to identifying and managing critically ill infants and children.
• Gain knowledge of paediatric airway, breathing, circulation, and ventilation support.
• Develop awareness of paediatric cardiac arrest, shock, and abnormal cardiac rhythms.
• Understand fundamental principles of defibrillation, cardioversion, and emergency medications.
• Learn the importance of early intervention and systematic clinical decision-making.
• Develop knowledge of effective team-based resuscitation and emergency communication.
• Build a foundation for healthcare professionals involved in paediatric emergency, critical care, and resuscitation environments.

Course Objectives

The objectives of this programme are to:

1. Introduce learners to the fundamental principles and objectives of Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
2. Develop systematic approaches to assessing critically ill or deteriorating infants and children.
3. Explain the recognition and management principles of paediatric respiratory distress and respiratory failure.
4. Develop knowledge of advanced airway, oxygenation, and ventilation support principles.
5. Explain the principles of high-quality paediatric CPR and cardiac arrest management.
6. Develop awareness of paediatric shock and circulatory compromise.
7. Introduce fundamental principles of cardiac rhythm recognition, defibrillation, and cardioversion.
8. Explain the role of emergency medications and structured treatment algorithms in paediatric resuscitation.
9. Develop awareness of post-resuscitation monitoring and supportive care.
10. Promote effective teamwork, communication, leadership, and patient safety during paediatric emergencies.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the programme, learners should be able to:

• Explain the fundamental principles and objectives of Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
• Describe the systematic approach to assessing a critically ill infant or child.
• Recognise signs of respiratory distress, respiratory failure, and inadequate oxygenation.
• Explain fundamental principles of paediatric airway management and ventilation support.
• Describe the principles of high-quality paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Recognise paediatric cardiac arrest and explain fundamental emergency response principles.
• Identify common paediatric shock presentations and describe initial management principles.
• Recognise basic paediatric cardiac rhythm abnormalities requiring urgent assessment.
• Explain the fundamental principles of defibrillation and cardioversion.
• Describe the role of emergency medications within paediatric resuscitation protocols.
• Explain fundamental approaches to the assessment of bradycardia and tachycardia.
• Recognise seizures, altered consciousness, and other conditions requiring urgent intervention.
• Describe principles of post-cardiac arrest care and ongoing patient monitoring.
• Explain the importance of structured communication, leadership, and teamwork during resuscitation.
• Describe the importance of accurate documentation, clinical handover, and coordinated multidisciplinary care.
• Demonstrate an understanding of safe, evidence-informed, age-appropriate, and patient-centred principles relevant to advanced paediatric life support.