Aim of Qualification

To enable learners to attain the knowledge and competencies needed to deal with a range of emergency first aid situations. Learners should be able to demonstrate the practical administration of safe, prompt, effective first aid in emergency situations with an understanding of the role of the first aider

Structure

This qualification is comprised of two mandatory units with a total value of 3 credits and 24 guided learning hours* (see further information below). Full details of these units can be found on Appendix 1.

*Minimum contact teaching hours apply to this qualification (to comply with HSE/Skills for Health guidance):

• Initial training should be delivered in no less than 18 hours (3 days) excluding breaks.

• Requalification training should be delivered in no less than 12 hours (2 days) excluding breaks.

To attend a requalifying course, learners must produce a copy of a First Aid at Work Certificate that is either HSE approved or Ofqual/SQA regulated. This certificate must not have expired by more than 3 months.

On initial and requalification courses, all practical and theoretical assessments must be passed to gain the qualification.

Designed for

People who have a specific responsibility at work, or in voluntary and community activities, to provide First Aid when dealing with an emergency situation. The Level 2 Award contains a unit that appears in a number of qualifications offered by other awarding organisations. Therefore the unit can be transferred to these qualifications.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements but in order to benefit from learning, learners should posses communication skills sufficient to allow them to address the assessment requirements of the qualification.

Requalification Requirements

The Level 3 First Aid at Work Award is only valid for a period of 3 years, within which time the learner will have to retake the course and assessment in order to remain qualified.

Relationship with related qualifications

Unit 1 of the Level 3 First Aid at Work Award also appears in the Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work, offered by ourselves and other awarding organisations. Therefore learners who have achieved Unit 1 (Emergencey First Aid in the Workplace) can use this under recognition of prior learning towards the Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work, providing they take the assessments for unit 2 within 10 weeks of achieving Unit 1.

Learner to trainer ratio

12:1

With 1 Manikin per 4 learners

Specific equality issues in relation to this qualification

By neccessity, First Aid qualifications require the learner to be assessed performing practical tasks such as CPR to pass the assessment, the learner must demonstrate the required practical skills.

When choosing who should become a first aider in the workplace, the HSE provide the following advice for employers;

When selecting someone to take up the role of a first aider, a number of factors need to be taken into account, including an individual's

(a) reliability, disposition and communication skills;

(b) aptitude and ability to absorb new knowledge and learn new skills;

(c) ability to cope with stressful and physically demanding emergency procedures;

(d) normal duties. These should be such that they may be left to go immediatly and rapidly to an emergency.

Assessment methods

There a two methods of assessment to be used to ensure that the learners have gained the required knowledge, skills

and understanding relating to EFAW;

Practical Assessment- this is observed by the trainer throughout the course, with the results of each learning outcome recorded

Theoretical Assessment- this consists of a multiple choice written paper

Assessment criteria

CPR---

The learner must demonstrate CPR on a resucitation manikin on the floor. If the learner has difficulty kneeling on the floor, they may practise with a manmikin on a table or chair if it is safe to do so. Padding may be provided to kneel on. In real life of course, the casualty is likely to fall on the floor, so the learner must demonstrate CPR at least once with the manikin on the floor. Padding such as a folded coat may be provided to kneel on during the assessment.

Unconscious Casualty---

The learner must demonstrate the treatment of an unconscious casualty who is on the floor. The learner

does not necessarily have to kneel on the floor to achieve this, but must perform the required skills without the assistance from a third party.

Wounds Bleeding and Shock---

The learner must demonstrate the treatment of bleeding including the application of a bandage and shocked casualty positioning. The learner must perform the skill without assistance from a third party.

Secondary Survey Assessment--

The learner must demonstrate a secondary survey on a casualty who is on the floor. In real life of course, the casualty is likely to fall to the floor, so the learner must demonstrate the secondary as per Qualsafe Awards Assessment guidance at least once, which requires the simulated casualty to lay on the floor. Padding such as a folded coat may be provided to kneel on during the assessment

Fractures--

The learner must demonstarte the application of a support and elevation sling and manual inline stabilisation for suspected spinal injury. The assessment for manual inline stabilisation (MILS) can be performed usining the learners themselves; however in real life the casualty will likely be on the floor so the learner must demonstrate the skill on the floor at least once. The learner must perform the skill without assistance from a third party.