Nationally Recognized Courses

Advanced Pediatric Life Support Course (APLS)
This two-day course focuses on the initial management of illnesses and injuries that, if left untreated, could lead to life threatening pediatric conditions requiring resuscitation. The course content is primarily oriented toward emergency diagnosis and response. The course format combines lectures with small group sessions that allow for case presentations and hands-on experience. Sponsored by the American College of Emergency Physicians and American Academy of Pediatrics, this course is recommended for all physicians and other healthcare professionals who are responsible for the management of acutely ill or injured children. Contact the Illinois College of Emergency Physicians (ICEP) at (888)495-ICEP for information on upcoming APLS courses.

American Academy of Pediatrics Courses (AAP)
Please use the methods listed below to receive more information on all AAP continuing medical education (CME) activities.
Internet: https://pedialink.aap.org/visitor to request a brochure
E-mail: cme@aap.org
Phone: Toll free, (866) THE-AAP1 (866) 843-2271 (outside the United States and Canada) (847) 434-4000 ext. 5830

Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC)
This 16-hour comprehensive pediatric course is sponsored by the Emergency Nurses Association and is tailored specifically to meet the educational needs of the nurse in an emergency setting. The focus of this course is to teach nurses the various aspects of pediatric emergency nursing care. Lectures and skill stations emphasize the appropriate triage, assessment and management of the ill or injured pediatric patient. The course is designed to provide core-level pediatric knowledge and psychomotor skills associated with the delivery of professional nursing care to the pediatric patient.  To find upcoming courses, visit the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) website.

International Trauma Life Support Pediatric Provider Course (ITLS Pediatric)           
This course builds upon a core knowledge base of trauma care. The course emphasizes the practical training needed to assure that the prehospital provider is confident and competent when faced with caring for the critically injured child. The course focuses specifically on prehospital care of the pediatric trauma patient. The Illinois College of Emergency Physicians sponsors the ITLS Pediatric Provider course which is approved by International Trauma Life Support.

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
This joint AAP-AHA developed course was designed to teach an evidence-based approach to resuscitation of the newborn. The causes, prevention, and management of mild to severe neonatal asphyxia are carefully explained so that health professionals may develop optimal knowledge and skill in resuscitation.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support Course (PALS)
This American Heart Association (AHA) and American Academy of Pediatrics sponsored course focuses primarily on pediatric resuscitation. It provides the information needed for recognizing the child at risk for cardiopulmonary arrest, strategies for preventing cardiopulmonary arrest in the pediatric population and reinforcement of the cognitive and psychomotor skills necessary for resuscitating and stabilizing the infant and child in respiratory failure, shock or cardiopulmonary arrest. This course is geared toward all healthcare professionals who provide care to children.

The AHA website has a webpage that can assist  in locating PALS and other AHA course training sites.

Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals (PEPP)
The American Academy of Pediatrics sponsors this course which aims to prepare prehospital professionals in the management of the pediatric patient. This highly interactive course combines lectures, videos, hands-on skill stations and small group scenarios. The course has a one day BLS format or a two day ALS format.  Find a PEPP course through a search function on the PEPP website.

Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization Course (PEARS)
This American Heart Association sponsored one-day course was designed for healthcare professionals who infrequently see critically ill children. It supports those who are not credentialed in advanced pediatric skills and who do not routinely provide pediatric advanced life support. PEARS prepares students to assess, categorize, decide, and act early to stabilize the child. The main focus of PEARS is prevention, and specifically the assessment, recognition and stabilization of pediatric victims at risk of severe cardiopulmonary distress. PEARS is a video-based course with instructor-led discussion.