Basic Life Support Certification on Resume

What Is Basic Life Support Certification

The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross are two prominent organizations that issue Basic Life Support (BLS) certifications. This certification validates essential life-saving skills required during cardiac emergencies, including CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), and relief of foreign-body airway obstruction (FBAO). In the healthcare industry, BLS certification is crucial for maintaining patient safety and quality care. IT is also a prerequisite for advanced certifications like Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). The validity period of a BLS certification is typically two years, with renewal requirements varying by organization but often involving re-certification courses. Preparing for the BLS certification usually takes around 4-8 hours depending on an individual's prior knowledge and learning pace; IT is generally considered straightforward if one follows the provided training materials diligently.

Should I Include Basic Life Support Certification on Resume?

Including a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification on your resume can enhance your employability, particularly in healthcare-related roles and fields where emergencies may occur. The value of this credential is relative to the industry and career stage; for example, IT's essential for doctors, nurses, and paramedics but might also be valuable for teachers or fitness instructors. When applying to jobs, IT's best to list your BLS certification if IT was obtained recently (within the past 3 years) and is directly relevant to the position you are pursuing. In some regions or industries, having a BLS certification might even set you apart from other candidates. However, if you have not worked in a healthcare setting for many years, including an outdated BLS certification may appear less pertinent.

Hiring Managers And Basic Life Support Certification on Resume

• Hiring managers often view the possession of a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification as evidence that candidates possess essential emergency response skills.
• This credential signals a candidate's commitment to patient safety and their willingness to learn life-saving techniques.
• In healthcare settings, having a BLS certification demonstrates one's readiness for on-the-job emergencies.
• For non-healthcare roles, a BLS certification can demonstrate transferable skills like quick thinking, teamwork, and responsibility.
• A lack of a BLS certification might not necessarily be a dealbreaker but could raise questions about a candidate's suitability for certain positions, particularly in high-risk environments.

How to List Basic Life Support Certification on Resume

• Format: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification by American Heart Association or American Red Cross [Year of Issuance – Expiration Year] Example: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification by American Heart Association, 2021-2023
• Certification number/ID: IT is optional to include the certification number but can help verify your credentials if requested.
• Expiration/renewal dates: Include the expiration year or indicate that the certification is current (e.g., "Current through [Year]"). Example: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification by American Heart Association, Current through 2023
• Certifying organization: IT's essential to specify the issuing organization for clarity and credibility.
• In-progress certifications: If you are currently enrolled in a BLS certification course but have not yet received your certificate, you can list IT as "In Progress" with the anticipated completion date. Example: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification by American Heart Association, In Progress (Expected completion: [Year])

Where to List Basic Life Support Certification on Resume

• Dedicated certifications section: A dedicated section for certifications allows hiring managers to quickly find relevant credentials. List BLS certification here if you have multiple certifications or if IT is directly related to the job you're applying for.
• Education section: If your BLS certification was obtained through an educational institution, you can list IT in the education section as a separate item.
• Summary: Mentioning your BLS certification in the summary can provide a quick overview of your qualifications but should not replace a dedicated certifications section.
• Multiple placements: If you hold multiple BLS certifications (e.g., from different organizations or with varying expiration dates), list them chronologically and include all relevant information for each certification.
• Order/hierarchy: Place your BLS certification higher on the resume if IT is directly related to the job you are applying for, or at the beginning of a dedicated certifications section. Otherwise, IT can be listed among other relevant qualifications.

Examples of How to List Basic Life Support Certification on Resume

Example 1 - For a Technical Resume

Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification by American Heart Association, 2021-2023

In a technical resume, the focus is on qualifications and certifications relevant to the specific job role. Here, the BLS certification is listed under the 'Certifications' section, grouping all professional certifications together for easy comprehension. This format works well for candidates with extensive certifications or skills that are important for their target industry.

Example 2 - For a Recent Graduate

Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, XYZ University, 2018-2022

Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification by American Heart Association, 2021-2023

For a recent graduate, the education section often takes precedence over certifications. However, relevant certifications such as BLS should still be included to demonstrate readiness for employment. Listing the certification after the education section highlights the candidate's academic achievements while also showcasing valuable skills they possess.

Example 3 - In a Dedicated Certifications Section

Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification by American Heart Association, 2021-2023

Skills: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Automated external defibrillator (AED) operation

For candidates with multiple certifications or skills, IT can be beneficial to create a dedicated 'Certifications' section. This allows the candidate to display their achievements and qualifications in an organized manner, making IT easy for employers to quickly identify relevant skills. In this format, specific skills related to the BLS certification are also listed under the 'Skills' section for added clarity.

Example 4 - In a Skills-First Resume Format

Key Skills: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certified by American Heart Association, 2021-2023 Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) proficient Automated external defibrillator (AED) operation

Experience: Registered Nurse, ABC Hospital, 2018-Present

In a skills-first resume format, the focus is on quickly showcasing relevant abilities to employers. This type of layout is ideal for candidates who have transferable skills or those changing careers. By listing the BLS certification under 'Key Skills', the candidate demonstrates their qualifications upfront and increases their chances of being selected for further consideration.