What Does BCLS Mean When Applying For A Job?

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The ad says "Candidate must have current North Carolina CNA license and BCLS". Sorry, I am new at this. (I haven't finished CNA classes but, I am thinking ahead!!) Thanks in advance!

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BCLS- Basic Cardiac Life Support, in other words, CPR card. Hope this helps.

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Basic Cardiac Life Support. Its pretty much the same as cpr. If you are cpr certified - that will be sufficient. Good Luck!!! Remember, we're supposed to be watching out for each other- let us know if you have any other questions.

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BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) is CPR (also known as BLS - Basic Life Support) for the Healthcare Provider as offered by the American Heart Association. Just a note to clarify that the Red Cross CPR certification isn't usually acceptable if they specify that they want BCLS - or it isn't where I have worked.

Just a side note - I have never worked in any hospital anywhere that did not offer BLS/BCLS certification during orientation.

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Specializes in PACU.

i know its been a while.... but i dont understand the difference between the two????

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Specializes in Oncology RN.

The Basic Heartsaver certification is just for the layperson...just general, no frills, CPR. BCLS, as a previous poster mentioned, is for the Healthcare Provider. It covers a lot more, and encompasses pediatric/infant lifesaving skills, in addition to using ambu-bags, general defibrillators, CPR with tracheostomies, etc. Most facilities I know of won't let a nurse work on a Heartsaver card alone...they must have a minimum of BCLS. However, some will allow non-licensed staff to work with a Heartsaver card.

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