How to Be Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Midwife - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 9, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is an advanced course designed to help midwives develop the skills necessary to confidently assess and manage critically ill infants and children. The course focuses on prevention, early recognition, and intervention of cardiopulmonary arrest, shock, and respiratory distress in pediatric patients. It also covers basic life support and resuscitation techniques, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

By taking a PALS course, midwives are able to increase their knowledge of pediatric physiology, airway management, and pharmacology, as well as develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. This increased understanding of pediatric care can lead to improved outcomes for pediatric patients in the long-term, thus demonstrating the cause and effect relationship between PALS and improved pediatric health.

Steps How to Become

Complete a Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) course. These courses are typically offered by hospitals, medical centers, or other medical organizations.
Obtain certification in Basic Life Support (BLS). This is typically done through an American Heart Association (AHA) course.
Complete a Midwifery Program accredited by the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM). Depending on the program, it may take approximately two to four years to complete.
Obtain certification as a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) from the ACNM.
Take the PALS examination from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This test is designed to evaluate knowledge of pediatric emergency care and is offered several times a year.
Gain experience working in a pediatric emergency setting. This can be done through a clinical rotation, working as a nurse in a pediatric emergency department or working as a midwife with neonatal patients.
Submit an application to the AAP for PALS certification. The application must include proof of BLS and CNM certification and evidence of experience in pediatric emergency care.
Receive PALS certification from the AAP upon successful completion of the application process.

Staying ahead and capable of Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) as a midwife requires a combination of knowledge, skills, attitude, and experience. Knowledge can be gained by studying the PALS curriculum and attending PALS courses. Skills can be improved through practice and simulation scenarios.

Attitude is key to staying ahead, and requires a commitment to continuous learning and striving to improve patient outcomes. Finally, experience can be gained through working in a clinical setting with pediatric patients, and participating in continuing education activities to stay up-to-date on the latest evidence-based practices. With these combined elements, midwives can remain knowledgeable, skilled and confident in their ability to provide the best possible care for their pediatric patients.

You may want to check International/Global Health Midwife, Advanced Fetal Monitoring (AFM) Midwife, and Certified Professional Midwife for alternative.

Job Description

Assess the medical condition of newborn and pediatric patients in need of advanced life support.
Establish and maintain airway and breathing for pediatric patients in need of advanced life support.
Administer medications, intravenous fluids and other therapies as prescribed.
Monitor vital signs and other parameters of pediatric patients needing advanced life support.
Perform advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) procedures, such as cardioversion, defibrillation, and intubation.
Provide post-resuscitation care to pediatric patients.
Educate parents and families about their childs condition and provide emotional support when needed.
Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible care for pediatric patients.
Participate in quality assurance, research, and other activities to improve patient outcomes.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Recognize and manage cardiovascular emergencies in the pediatric patient
Recognize respiratory distress in the pediatric patient
Recognize and manage shock in the pediatric patient
Recognize and manage neurological emergencies in the pediatric patient
Recognize and manage metabolic and endocrine emergencies in the pediatric patient
Recognize and manage respiratory failure in the pediatric patient
Recognize and manage neonatal resuscitation
Utilize pharmacology for the stabilization of pediatric emergencies
Develop a systematic approach to resuscitation
Apply appropriate resuscitation techniques for the stabilization of an infant or child
Integrate family members in a sensitive and supportive manner during a resuscitation
Identify and interpret changes in vital signs
Identify and interpret electrocardiographic monitoring results
Recognize the need for medical consultation and transfer of care
Participate in performance improvement activities to improve resuscitation outcomes
Appropriately document resuscitation efforts

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is an essential skill for midwives to possess in order to provide the best care for their patients. This skill is important for midwives because it provides them with the knowledge and competencies to recognize and respond effectively to life-threatening emergencies in infants and children. PALS helps midwives identify a wide range of life-threatening conditions, including cardiopulmonary arrest, shock, respiratory distress, and cardiac arrhythmias.

With the help of PALS, midwives can assess the patients condition accurately, initiate timely interventions, and provide effective resuscitation, which can greatly improve the patients outcome. PALS also helps midwives work effectively as part of a healthcare team, which is essential for providing high-quality care for their patients.

Home Midwife, Ultrasound Technician/Sonographer Midwife, and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Midwife are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in providing pediatric advanced life support (PALS) services?
Describe a time when you responded to an emergency situation involving a child or infant.
What techniques do you use to assess the condition of a pediatric patient?
How have you utilized evidence-based practice in your PALS midwifery care?
How do you collaborate with other healthcare professionals when managing a pediatric patient?
What strategies do you use to educate and counsel families on pediatric care?
How do you monitor and manage the safety of a pediatric patient during a PALS procedure?
How do you handle stressful situations while providing PALS care to a pediatric patient?
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision while providing PALS care to a pediatric patient.
What challenges have you faced in your PALS midwifery practice and how did you address them?

Common Tools in Industry

Pulse Oximeter. A non-invasive device used to measure oxygen saturation and heart rate in a patient. (eg: Masimo Rad-8 Pulse Oximeter)
Automated External Defibrillator (AED). A device used to revive a patient in cardiac arrest by delivering an electric shock to the heart. (eg: Philips HeartStart OnSite AED)
Intravenous Catheter. A device used to insert a tube into a vein for administering medications or fluids. (eg: BD Insyte Autoguard Shielded IV Catheter)
Suction Device. A device used to remove mucus and other fluid from the airway of a patient. (eg: Delee Suction Catheter)
Capnography Monitor. A device used to measure the concentration of carbon dioxide in a patients exhaled breath. (eg: Masimo Rad-8 Capnograph)
Intubation Kit. A kit containing the necessary tools to intubate a patient. (eg: AMBU Intubation Kit)
Bag Valve Mask (BVM). A device used to manually provide ventilation to a patient in an emergency situation. (eg: Ambu Bag Valve Mask)
Chest Compression Device. A device used to provide chest compressions to a patient in an emergency situation. (eg: LUCAS Chest Compression System)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)
National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN)
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM)
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
International Confederation of Midwives (ICM)
World Health Organization (WHO)
American Heart Association (AHA)
Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)

We also have Primary Care Midwife, Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Midwife, and Gynaecology and Obstetrics Midwife jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Cardiac Arrest. A sudden stoppage of the hearts pumping action, which can cause death if not treated immediately.
Resuscitation. A process of restoring an individuals circulation and breathing, usually through chest compressions and artificial respiration.
Airway Management. Techniques used to keep the airway open and clear for breathing, such as using a bag-valve mask device or an endotracheal tube.
Shock. A condition in which the body fails to receive enough oxygen-rich blood, resulting in organ failure and death.
Defibrillation. The use of an electrical shock to restore a regular heartbeat in a person in cardiac arrest.
Chest Compressions. Firm, rhythmic compressions of the chest used to maintain circulation when the heart is unable to pump blood on its own.
Bradycardia. A slow heart rate (generally less than 60 beats per minute) which can lead to cardiac arrest.
Intubation. The insertion of a tube into the trachea to facilitate mechanical ventilation and/or delivery of medications.
Endotracheal Tube. A tube inserted into the trachea to provide an airway during resuscitation or intubation.
Bag-Valve Mask Device. A device that fits over a patients face and delivers oxygen during resuscitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)? A1: Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is an advanced level of resuscitation training designed to provide healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage and respond to pediatric emergencies. Q2: Who can complete the PALS Midwife program? A2: The PALS Midwife program is designed for birth attendants who are already certified in Basic Life Support and are interested in obtaining additional knowledge and skills in caring for newborns and infants. Q3: What topics are covered in the PALS Midwife program? A3: The PALS Midwife program covers topics such as basic resuscitation, airway management, cardiovascular resuscitation, neonatal resuscitation, chest compressions, and other life-saving skills. Q4: How long does the PALS Midwife program take to complete? A4: The PALS Midwife program takes approximately 6 to 8 hours to complete. Q5: What is the cost of the PALS Midwife program? A5: The cost of the PALS Midwife program varies depending on the provider, but typically ranges from $150 to $300.