CPR for Healthcare Providers That Includes AED Training

Need Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for healthcare providers? Want to make sure you’re ready for the job? CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) skills are important for anyone working in healthcare today. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that healthcare jobs will grow much faster than average between 2024 and 2034. It is about 1.9 million openings each year. In May 2024, healthcare workers in practitioner and technical roles earned a median annual wage of $83,090. That’s a strong career outlook, but only for professionals who stay prepared and keep their certifications up to date.

Whether you’re in a hospital, clinic, or long-term care setting, CPR for healthcare providers shows you can step in during a crisis and make a difference. Keep reading to know what’s included in CPR training for healthcare providers and why AED skills matter.

What Is an AED and Why Does It Matter

An AED is a small device that can save someone whose heart has stopped. It checks the heart’s rhythm and, if needed, gives a shock to help it beat again. The machine is easy to use. Instructions are clear and show you what to do step by step. Even in a difficult situation, you can follow them.

For healthcare workers, knowing how to use an AED is important. Hence, it is included in CPR training for healthcare providers. The training shows how to use it on adults, children, and babies. You also learn to use it with CPR and how to work with your team. 

What Does CPR for Healthcare Providers Training Include?

In 2023-2024, most people with a healthcare degree, about 61%, were working in hands-on jobs. It includes nurses, techs, and other practitioners. In these roles, knowing CPR and how to use an AED is expected. Unlike basic CPR classes for the public, provider-level training is built for professionals. Here’s what’s usually covered in the course:

Basic Life Support (BLS)

BLS is the entry-level course for healthcare workers. It teaches the essential steps for reacting quickly in the first few minutes of an emergency. The following are the key modules covered:

• CPR for adults, children, and infants
• The AHA Chain of Survival with a focus on early CPR and defibrillation
• How to use an AED safely and quickly
• Rescue breathing with a barrier device
• Teamwork during two-rescuer or group CPR
• Relieving choking in adults and infants

 

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

ACLS is the next step after BLS and is meant for providers who respond to major heart and breathing emergencies. The training helps you act fast, use advanced techniques, and stay calm under pressure. In most courses, you’ll go over:

• A refresher on BLS basics like CPR, AED use, and bag-mask breathing
• How to recognize and treat cardiac arrest and respiratory arrest
• Identifying warning signs such as symptomatic bradycardia
• Managing the airway and giving the right medications
• Responding to conditions like acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and stroke
• Working as a leader and team member during resuscitation

 

Advanced Life Support (ALS)

ALS is built for healthcare workers who care for trauma patients or people in critical condition. It focuses on rapid checks, spotting life-threatening problems, and starting treatment without delay. Training usually covers:

• Step-by-step trauma assessments
• Clearing and protecting the airway
• Recognizing and managing different forms of shock
• Controlling bleeding and using transfusion methods when needed
• Trauma resuscitation and permissive hypotension
• Care for patients with brain injuries, burns, or fractures

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

PALS training is centered on infants and children, since they need a different approach than adults. The course teaches providers how to recognize emergencies quickly and respond the right way. Topics often include:

• CPR for infants and children following BLS standards
• Detecting cardiopulmonary arrest early and beginning CPR right away
• Telling the difference between respiratory distress and respiratory failure
• Identifying and treating compensated and decompensated shock
• Recognizing arrhythmias and deciding if the patient is stable or unstable
• Post–cardiac arrest care for children
• Practice scenarios and team exercises for pediatric cases

How to Choose the Right CPR and AED Training for Healthcare Providers

If you work in healthcare, you need a course that fits your job. Also, it should be recognized where you work. Here’s what to look for:

• Check That It Includes CPR, AED, and First Aid Together

Some courses only consider one skill at a time, like CPR or First Aid. That might work if you just want a single certification. But most hospitals, clinics, and care facilities expect all three in one program. Look for a course that covers adult CPR, AED use, and basic First Aid together. This way, you get complete training in a single class.

• Make Sure It’s Accepted by Your Employer or State

A certificate is only useful if your workplace or state recognizes it. Choose a program that follows national safety standards. Also, the course is required to meet your state’s rules. Some states require annual renewal instead of every two years. Check that the course complies with local regulations before signing up.

• Select a Provider With Blended and Online Options

 When your shift is unpredictable, it is impossible to sit through a six-hour in-person lesson.  In such cases, you can train at your own speed with online or blended options. Just make sure the course has more than just slides; it should also have exams and practical modules.

• Look for Instant Certification

If you’re starting a new job, the employer can ask for the updated certificate overnight. So, it is always a smart move to choose a provider that offers digital cards immediately after the course. You can download and save the soft copy. Also, sometimes they offer automated reminders for renewals to keep you informed.

Get Certified in CPR for Healthcare Providers

Be ready to act when it matters most with CPR for healthcare providers that includes AED training. This training helps you respond quickly to emergencies for adults, children, and infants. Online and blended courses make it easy to learn on your own schedule. You can still get hands-on practice with these courses. Just make sure the provider is recognized. Your certifications reflect your current skills and help you maintain your job.  

Don’t wait for an emergency—take action now. Enroll in an online CPR course today and be prepared to save lives whenever it’s needed.