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Saving lives doesn’t stop when your shift ends, and neither should your training. You must stay prepared, especially when working in high-stakes healthcare settings. As per the American Heart Association, thousands of cardiac arrests occur every year in long-term care facilities, including nursing homes.
That’s where a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification comes in. It provides you with key lifesaving skills, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). However, you must also renew the certification on time for your skills to remain effective.
Balancing a full-time job with recertification requirements can be challenging. Letting your BLS lapse could risk patient safety and even your job. This blog is your go-to guide on how to renew BLS certification on time without sacrificing your work schedule.
Why Should You Renew Your BLS Certification on Time?
Renewing your BLS certification is the key to ensuring that your life-saving skills are up-to-date. The certification usually expires every two years, and allowing it to lapse can leave you unprepared in emergencies.
For many professionals in healthcare and education, such as nurses, physicians, EMTs, and even school staff, a valid BLS certification is a job requirement. If your BLS card expires, you may not be able to resume your full-time work until you renew it. This may also affect your career in the long run.
Moreover, the BLS guidelines keep changing over time. Hence, you can easily stay updated regarding the latest procedures if you renew your BLS certification on schedule. Most importantly, it helps reinforce your existing skills and ensures you do not miss out on any recent updates that can affect your practice.
What Are the Requirements for BLS Renewal?
Renewing your BLS certification allows you to maintain your professional qualifications and demonstrate your commitment to safety and competence. The renewal process is straightforward, but you’ll need to meet these key requirements:
- A valid, non-expired BLS certification card.
- Completion of a nationally accepted and accredited BLS renewal course.
- Demonstration of proper CPR, AED usage, and other life-saving skills during hands-on training.
- Passing an online or written exam that tests your knowledge of BLS techniques and procedures.
- Payment of any associated course fees or recertification costs.
How to Renew BLS Certification While Working Full-time?
Even with a busy work schedule, it’s important to keep track of when your BLS certification expires. To make the process easier, we’ve outlined the steps to renew your BLS certification:
Track the Expiration Date
Check the expiration date on your BLS certification card, which was issued to you after completing the course. Knowing this date in advance helps you plan ahead and avoid a lapse.
Choose the Renewal Course
As soon as you realize your certification is nearing expiration, select your renewal course. There are several options available, including online (great for busy schedules) and in-person formats (useful if you prefer hands-on learning). Choose the one that fits best as peryour work schedule and learning style. Once you’ve registered for the renewal course, complete it promptly.
Take the Exam
Finish the course promptly and prepare for the required exam. This may be online or written, and you’ll also need to demonstrate core lifesaving skills such as CPR and AED use. Do not forget to review the course materials before your test.
Maintain Your Certification
Make sure to maintain your BLS certification after you renew it. As mentioned, it is valid only for two years, so keep an eye on the expiry date so that it does not lapse unknowingly.
Pro Tip: Make sure that the renewal course you take is nationally accredited so your certification is accepted by employers.
Renew Your BLS Certification Now!
Knowing when to renew BLS certification is not enough. You must also know the right steps for the renewal process that we discussed in this guide. Make sure to check the expiry date of your existing certification and choose a renewal course before it lapses. This allows you to save your job and also stay updated with the latest life-saving techniques.
So, if you are working in the nursing or hospitality sector, renew your BLS certificate now to avoid any complications in the future! The recertification process is quite easy and does not take much of your time. All you need to do is enroll in a BLS recertification course.
