BLS CPR Certification in Des Moines, IA
Healthcare employers across the Des Moines metro — from UnityPoint Health Iowa Methodist Medical Center to MercyOne Des Moines and Broadlawns Medical Center — require current AHA BLS Provider certification before a nurse, EMT, or clinical staff member sees their first patient. At Eastern CPR Des Moines, we deliver that certification in a single session at our 7605 NW Aurora Ave training center, with your official AHA digital eCard issued the same day you complete your skills check.
Essential CPR training for nurses, doctors, EMTs, and all healthcare professionals. Learn high-quality CPR, AED use, and relief of choking in adults, children, and infants.
BLS Course
- Online portion: Approximately 1–2 hours
- In-class skills portion: 1 hour
- Skills review & practice
- Updated 2025 protocols
- Same-day AHA certification card
- 2-year certification
How the BLS course works — complete online portion + attend 1-hour hands-on session = AHA certification card issued same day
What's Included in Your BLS CPR Course
Our comprehensive BLS training covers everything you need to provide high-quality CPR and pass your certification with confidence.
📚 Course Materials
- BLS Provider Manual
- Pocket reference cards
- Skills checklists
- Practice scenarios
- Online resources access
💓 CPR Skills Training
- Adult CPR (1 & 2 rescuer)
- Child CPR techniques
- Infant CPR methods
- High-quality compressions
- Team dynamics & communication
⚡ AED Training
- AED operation & safety
- Pad placement techniques
- Rhythm analysis
- Shock delivery
- Special situations
🫁 Airway Management
- Bag-valve-mask (BVM) use
- Proper ventilation techniques
- Two-person BVM operation
- Oxygen administration
- Choking relief procedures
✅ Testing & Certification
- Skills assessment (included)
- Written exam
- Performance feedback
- Immediate results
- Same-day AHA card
👨⚕️ Expert Instruction
- AHA-certified instructors
- Healthcare experience
- Small class sizes (max 8)
- Individual attention
- Real-world scenarios
Who Needs BLS CPR Certification in Des Moines?
In Central Iowa, AHA BLS Provider certification is the entry requirement for virtually every clinical role. Whether you are starting a new position at a Des Moines hospital, renewing before your card expires, or completing your DMACC or Des Moines University nursing program requirements, BLS is non-negotiable. Here is who needs it:
Healthcare Professionals
- Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
- Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
- Physicians & Medical Doctors
- EMTs & Paramedics
- Respiratory Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Medical Assistants
- Pharmacists
Students & Allied Health
- Nursing Students (RN, LPN programs)
- Medical Students
- Dental Students & Hygienists
- Dental Assistants
- Veterinary Professionals
- Home Health Aides
- Personal Care Attendants
- Athletic Trainers
- Massage Therapists
- Healthcare Administrators
What You'll Learn in Our BLS CPR Class
Our comprehensive curriculum follows the latest American Heart Association guidelines and prepares you to respond confidently in cardiac emergencies.
High-Quality CPR
- Proper chest compression depth & rate
- Effective rescue breathing
- Adult CPR (1 & 2 rescuer)
- Child CPR (1 & 2 rescuer)
- Infant CPR
- Minimizing interruptions
- Team dynamics
AED Use & Defibrillation
- AED operation & safety
- Pad placement (adult & pediatric)
- Analyzing heart rhythms
- Safe shock delivery
- Post-shock care
- AED maintenance
- Special situations
Airway Management
- Bag-valve mask (BVM) ventilation
- Proper mask seal techniques
- Two-person BVM operation
- Oxygen administration
- Airway obstruction relief
- Head-tilt chin-lift
- Jaw-thrust maneuver
Emergency Recognition
- Cardiac arrest recognition
- Stroke assessment (FAST)
- Heart attack symptoms
- Respiratory arrest
- Choking in responsive victims
- Scene safety assessment
- Activating emergency response
Team-Based Scenarios
- Role assignments
- Effective communication
- Leadership during codes
- Rotating compressors
- Quality feedback
- Debriefing after events
- Continuous improvement
Special Considerations
- Pregnancy & CPR modifications
- Opioid overdose response
- Trauma-related cardiac arrest
- Hypothermia patients
- Drowning victims
- Electrical shock injuries
Why BLS Certification Matters for Des Moines Metro Healthcare Workers
Cardiac arrest does not announce itself. In Iowa, approximately 4,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year, and survival rates drop by 7–10% for every minute without CPR. For healthcare professionals in Des Moines metro hospitals and clinics, BLS certification is not just an employer checkbox — it is the foundation of your ability to respond when seconds determine the outcome.
BLS Certification Near Des Moines: What Local Employers Require
Healthcare employers across Polk and Dallas counties share a consistent standard: AHA BLS Provider certification from an AHA Authorized Training Center. Online-only certification cards are not accepted.
UnityPoint Health Iowa Methodist Medical Center
The only Adult Level I Trauma Center in Central Iowa — requires current AHA BLS Provider certification for all clinical staff prior to their first scheduled shift. Eastern CPR Des Moines meets that standard.
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center
Holds the same requirement across its nursing, allied health, and support clinical staff. BLS renewal must be completed before the expiry date — a lapsed card is not acceptable pending renewal.
DMACC Ankeny
Nursing students must present current AHA BLS certification before beginning clinical rotations. We are 18–20 minutes from the Ankeny campus via I-35 S and issue the digital eCard the same day as your skills session.
Des Moines University
Medical students and residents in clinical programs require current BLS. Our Urbandale training center is 12 minutes from the DMU campus on Grand Ave via I-235 E.
For directions from your part of the metro, see our Des Moines Metro CPR page.
Frequently Asked Questions — BLS Certification Des Moines
The AHA BLS course includes a 1–2 hour HeartCode online portion completed independently before your session, plus approximately 60 minutes of in-person skills at our Urbandale training center. You receive your official AHA digital eCard the same day you pass your skills check. Initial and renewal are $99.
Yes. Eastern CPR Des Moines is an AHA Authorized Training Center. Our BLS certification is accepted by UnityPoint Health Iowa Methodist, MercyOne Des Moines, Broadlawns Medical Center, and all other AHA-accepting employers throughout the Des Moines metro. Iowa Methodist is 12 minutes from our Urbandale training center via I-235 E.
AHA BLS Provider is the professional-grade CPR certification required by healthcare employers — it includes two-rescuer scenarios, bag-valve mask technique, and clinical team dynamics. Our Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid course is for teachers, childcare providers, coaches, and the general public. If you work in a clinical role, you need BLS at $99. If you are not a healthcare professional, CPR/First Aid is the right course at the same $99 price.
Yes. Both initial BLS certification and renewal are $99 at our Urbandale training center. Your AHA BLS Provider card is valid for 2 years from the date of issue regardless of whether it is your first certification or a renewal.
Yes. DMACC's Associate Degree Nursing program at the Ankeny campus requires AHA BLS (blended learning accepted) before clinical rotations begin. Eastern CPR Des Moines is an AHA Authorized Training Center and satisfies DMACC's requirement. We are 18–20 minutes from the Ankeny campus via I-35 S.
Ready to Get BLS Certified?
Same-day AHA certification card. Classes this week at our Urbandale training center — 12 minutes from downtown Des Moines via I-235.
Other Courses at Our Des Moines Training Center
We offer three certified courses covering every certification need in the Des Moines metro.
American Red Cross CPR / AED / First Aid
For teachers, parents, coaches, childcare workers, and businesses. No medical background needed. Iowa HHS approved for childcare licensing.
2-year Red Cross certification
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AHA ACLS Certification
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support for nurses, physicians, and paramedics in ED, ICU, and critical care. Take BLS and ACLS together in one day.
Initial & Renewal • 2-year AHA certification
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Group & Onsite Training
We bring BLS, CPR/First Aid, or ACLS training to your Des Moines metro business, school, or healthcare facility. Groups of 6 or more.
Min. 6 participants • All metro locations
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