3 answers
Sienna
Student
Scottsdale, Arizona
3
Questions
Asked
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When should I get my BLS certification and is it the right certification for me?
I am a senior in highschool, pursuing kinesiology next year as an undergrad at ASU. I am steering towards becoming a PT or a Sports Medicine Physician. What certification should I get? And when should I get it by?
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3 answers
Chris Harp
Athletic Trainer
26
Answers
Florence, Kentucky
Updated
Chris’s Answer
These are two very different career paths. One is going to require a clinical doctorate while the other one is going to require quite a bit of med school and residency.
You’re going to have to do a lot of soul-searching to figure out which path you want to go down.
As far as obtaining your BLS certification, this is CPR/AED training. This certification will be required for both of the paths you have outlined. While I always recommend everyone get BLS trained, make sure you find the specific certification that is required by your school, your future, clinical sites, and your profession. Chances are you will be required to get the American Heart Association BLS for the healthcare provider for PT route and ACLS for the physician route.
You’re going to have to do a lot of soul-searching to figure out which path you want to go down.
As far as obtaining your BLS certification, this is CPR/AED training. This certification will be required for both of the paths you have outlined. While I always recommend everyone get BLS trained, make sure you find the specific certification that is required by your school, your future, clinical sites, and your profession. Chances are you will be required to get the American Heart Association BLS for the healthcare provider for PT route and ACLS for the physician route.
Vianne Phan
Youth Development Teacher
296
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
If you're planning to study kinesiology and move into physical therapy or sports medicine, getting a BLS certification is very helpful. It covers CPR and basic emergency skills, which are often needed for clinical settings, internships, and volunteer work in healthcare. Many physical therapy programs and sports medicine jobs expect you to have some certification, so it's a good idea to get it.
There's no set time to get certified, but doing it before any hands-on experience is best. You could get it this summer after graduation or early in your first year of college. This way, you can list it on applications and be ready for internships, labs, or volunteer work that need it. BLS certifications are valid for two years, so you won't need to renew it right away.
You might also consider getting First Aid certification and, later, CPR for healthcare providers if you start clinical rotations. Focus on certifications that allow you to work safely with people and enhance your resume for internships and future programs. Getting your BLS certification now shows you're committed to hands-on healthcare work.
There's no set time to get certified, but doing it before any hands-on experience is best. You could get it this summer after graduation or early in your first year of college. This way, you can list it on applications and be ready for internships, labs, or volunteer work that need it. BLS certifications are valid for two years, so you won't need to renew it right away.
You might also consider getting First Aid certification and, later, CPR for healthcare providers if you start clinical rotations. Focus on certifications that allow you to work safely with people and enhance your resume for internships and future programs. Getting your BLS certification now shows you're committed to hands-on healthcare work.
Got it! Thank you so much!
Sienna
Jane Akinyemi
Lecturer
36
Answers
Salem, Massachusetts
Updated
Jane’s Answer
Hi Sienna,
Obtaining your Basic Life Support (BLS) certification early in your undergraduate studies, ideally in your first or second year, will boost your resume and is widely accepted in the fields of exercise science and healthcare. For kinesiology students, BLS is the appropriate certification, particularly if they intend to work in clinical, rehabilitation, or sports medicine settings
I hope this helps,
Dr. Jane Akinyemi
Obtaining your Basic Life Support (BLS) certification early in your undergraduate studies, ideally in your first or second year, will boost your resume and is widely accepted in the fields of exercise science and healthcare. For kinesiology students, BLS is the appropriate certification, particularly if they intend to work in clinical, rehabilitation, or sports medicine settings
I hope this helps,
Dr. Jane Akinyemi
Okay! Thank you so much, will definitely be getting my BLS certification soon!
Sienna