Even if you work in a field that doesn’t legally require you to have a CPR certification—such as a dentist or chiropractor here in Colorado—you should still strongly consider getting certified.

Here’s the simple reason why: a CPR certification looks fantastic on your resume.

Nearly all employers will be impressed to see it. A CPR certification shows that you’re responsible, conscientious, and “ready for anything”. We’ve heard more than a few times over the years from our students that they’ve landed interviews they might not have otherwise been given.

Here are a few more critical considerations:

• Getting a CPR certification is extremely affordable; it’s roughly equivalent to a couple of semi-nice dinners out with your friends or significant other.
• Initial certification courses aren’t that long and renewal courses are even more compact. Here at CooL Compressions CPR we strive to make classes available during all times of the day (morning, afternoon, and even at night) and on all days of the week, including weekends. This flexible schedule makes attending a course even easier. See our Training Schedule.
• And, of course, the most important reason to get a CPR certification: you might end up saving a life with your newly-acquired skills.

In this post, we’ve prepared a few examples of professions where a CPR certification isn’t required but will be highly beneficial, both for your peace of mind in the event that a cardiac incident occurs and for the potential of being hired or promoted.

Let’s begin with educators:

Teachers and Educators of All Kinds, For All Ages

In most states, school teachers aren’t required by law to have a CPR certification. Here in Colorado, teachers are “kind of” required to have a CPR certification.

We’ll explain what we mean by that: in some states, such as California, Indiana, and New York, all teachers are required to have a CPR certification. Colorado differs from these states in that here it’s only required that one on-site staff member is CPR certified. See section 6.13.C of the Rules and Regulations Governing Schools in the State of Colorado.

In other words, a staff member with a CPR certification must be at the school at all times (and during other school events, such as field trips or athletic events).

Why shouldn’t that person be you?

Since it isn’t mandatory, most teachers don’t have a CPR certification. However, if you do, it would certainly help you stand out from the crowd, not to mention increasing your level of capability in and out of the classroom. Whether you’re a college professor or an elementary school counselor, whether it’s required or not, we firmly believe that you should have a CPR certification!

Personal Trainers, Gym Employees, or Anyone Involved in Sports

Personal trainers, gym employees, and certain professions within sports or general athletics generally aren’t required by law to have a CPR certification… however, many, many agencies and employers do require that their staff have CPR certifications.

Aside from enhanced career prospects, it’s worth noting that anyone involved in high-energy activities such as sports, cardiovascular training, weight lifting, and so on may be around persons with an increased risk of a cardiovascular event.

If you work in any of these fields, being able to put a CPR certification on your resume will show your employer that you’re serious about the position and the people you encounter.

Parents, Babysitters, Nannies, and Anyone Who Works With Children

Don’t try telling us that being a parent isn’t a job!

Seriously, though—parents, babysitters, nannies, and anyone else working with children should be highly motivated to get a CPR certification even if the regulations governing their profession don’t require it.

From a job-seeking or promotion standpoint, it’s not difficult to imagine that decision makers in these fields would be impressed by a CPR certification. After all, you might be responsible for saving a life that’s just starting.

Generally, we recommend the ASHI Basic CPR and AED Classroom Course for persons in these professions or family positions. However, if you don’t need a certification (as may be the case with parents who simply want to learn livesaving skills for the sake of their family), you may want to consider our AHA Family & Friends® CPR Class, which includes training for adult, child, and infant CPR.

If you’re unsure of which course to take in this context or any other, just give us a call and let us know what your goals are. We can be reached at (720) 609-2972.

Regardless of Your Profession, Getting a CPR Certification is a Service to Yourself and Others

We hope that you’ve found this post illuminating here on The Heart Beat, the resident blog at CooL Compressions CPR. Whether you’re a member of the professions we discussed here or not, we implore you to seriously consider getting a CPR certification—if not for your own sake than for the sake of others.

You see, getting a CPR certification is, at its core, a service to society; studies on the topic consistently suggest that far, far too few people in our country know how to perform CPR—less than half of the people who suffer cardiac arrest end up receiving CPR from a bystander. By the time paramedics arrive, it’s often too late.

Do yourself a favor and get a CPR certification. Your current or future employer will appreciate it, but more importantly, the person who’s life you may end up saving will certainly appreciate it!

Please feel free to call us at (720) 609-2972 with any questions you may have. You’re also welcome to contact us online or, if you’re ready to step up and get CPR certified, please view our Training Schedule here and reserve your seat for our next conveniently scheduled CPR training course.