For anyone in the medical profession, CPR and First Aid training are critical components of your education. While doctors and nurses require training and certification in many advanced medical techniques, CPR is a fundamental building block of healthcare education. While this technique is relatively straightforward, CPR is an incredibly important procedure that can save a victim’s life in the event of many different medical emergencies.
In this blog, we will answer the question as to whether or not doctors are required to have CPR certifications. We also review some other professions (including many outside of the healthcare hat also require CPR certification. We then discuss some of the benefits of receiving your CPR certification through 100 percent online classes.
At the American CPR Care Association, we’re dedicated to providing comprehensive and professionally trained CPR courses. While we offer CPR training classes designed specifically for healthcare professionals, we also have CPR courses intended for the general public so that anyone can have access to these important skills. Since over 475,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest every year, it’s incredibly important to equip as many people as possible with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to successfully perform CPR.
Do Doctors Need CPR Certification?
In short, yes. All doctors need to receive their CPR certification and be experienced in performing the steps of CPR. Additionally, most other professionals in the medical field, including nurses and medical assistants, also need to be fully CPR certified. Many CPR training programs also offer special courses teaching CPR for healthcare providers. Compared to traditional CPR classes that are designed for the general public, these courses are more specialized and advanced.
CPR certification, however, remains valid only for two years. This time limit ensures that individuals will regularly rectify to stay current with their knowledge and skills. While it might seem like something like CPR never changes over time, there are actually regular updates and changing standards. For example, the most recent 2020 update to the CPR training guidelines includes information on the impact of COVID-19. By requiring regular recertification, these programs ensure that individuals are taught the most advanced skills.
Which Careers Need CPR Certification?
In addition to medical doctors, a wide range of careers requires or highly recommend CPR training and certification. There are even many careers outside of the healthcare field that requires CPR certification. Here’s a quick look at some of the other careers that require CPR certification:
1. Police officers
At the scene of a crime or accident, a victim may not have time to wait for paramedics or an ambulance. That’s why police officers are highly trained in a wide range of medical procedures and techniques, including CPR. Police officers are trained to respond to almost any situation, which is why CPR training is essential.
2. Firefighters
Just like police officers, firefighters are often the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency. While firefighters most commonly are called to put out structural fires, they also respond to medical emergencies. It’s important for firefighters to be trained in CPR because smoke inhalation is a common cause of cardiac arrest.
3. Coaches
Coaches and athletic trainers are required to be trained in CPR to ensure the safety of their athletes and clients. When athletes are pushing their physical limits, the risk of cardiac arrest increases—even for those who are physically fit. In fact, according to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, roughly two-thirds of fatal cardiac arrests in children occur during athletic activity.
4. Construction workers
Construction is a physically demanding job, which means there is always the risk of accidents and injuries. Construction workers are trained in general first aid and CPR to come to the aid of anyone who suffers an accident on the job.
5. Electricians.
Electrocution is one of the leading workplace hazards in the United States. In fact, electrocution is a common cause of cardiac arrest and is the sixth leading cause of fatal workplace accidents. Electricians, of course, work closely with high voltage, which makes the risk of electrocution especially high.
6. Flight attendants
When you’re over 30,000 feet in the air, any medical emergency could become critical. Unlike most movies, usually there isn’t a doctor on every flight. This means that flight attendants must be trained and prepared to respond to a range of medical emergencies.
Benefits of Online CPR Certification
Over the last few years, online education has exploded in popularity. According to Education Data, over 6.6 million students in higher education enrolled in some form of online learning in 2017. As online learning tools become more sophisticated (and as we formulate responses to events like COVID-19), these numbers are likely to continue growing. Online learning has impacted every level and type of education, including medical training. Many people are amazed to learn that they can earn their CPR certification or recertification through 100 percent online classes. In fact, due to various advantages, many people now prefer this method of learning. Here are some of the main benefits of earning your CPR certification online:
1. Speed
There’s no matching the speed of online learning. Since these classes don’t have to coordinate dozens of students, you can jump right in and begin your CPR training right away. Many students are even able to complete their course and earn their CPR certification within a matter of hours. If you need CPR certification fast, this is the model for you.
2. Convenience
Whether you’re looking for CPR training or a First Aid course, there’s no more convenient method than online learning. These classes are designed to fit your schedule and pace, which means you can start and stop the lessons at any time.
3. Affordability
Online CPR classes are often more affordable and cost-effective compared to traditional classes. Since online classes don’t need to cover the costs of multiple instructors and renting out instruction spaces, they can pass on the savings to their students.
Conclusion
While we believe that everyone should receive CPR training, it’s critically important that healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses, receive this type of medical certification. Additionally, it’s important to receive your recertification every two years to make sure that your skills and knowledge are up to date. This is the most effective way to be fully prepared to face the challenges of our modern-day.
While it’s clear why doctors and nurses are required to have CPR training, many other professions outside of healthcare also require CPR certification and recertification. Police officers, firefighters, and even flight attendants are all required to be trained and ready to deliver this life-saving procedure in the event of an emergency. Training as many individuals as possible is the most effective way to save more lives. So that everyone can have access to this potentially life-saving procedure, American CPR Care Association is proud to offer 100 percent online CPR classes that you can take from the comfort of your own home. We also offer CPR recertification courses to keep your skills and training up to date. With online CPR training, learning this important skill has never been easier or more convenient.
For more information on earning your CPR certification or recertification, don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or reach out to us at [email protected]. You can also check out our website to learn more about our full range of medical training courses. It’s easy and fast to register online.
