Volunteer CFR Training Requirements – initial and ongoing

The training information detailed below is designed to provide an insight into the training that will be offered by the Trust once you have been successfully recruited. Please feel free to raise any questions with your CFR Co-ordinator.

All new volunteers will be required to attend a five-day initial induction training course and to undertake on-line prior learning, all course material will be made available to students to support learning and must be completed prior to the face-to-face training.

At the end of the training course each volunteer is required to pass 2 multiple choice questionnaires and practical assessments. The assessment will include AED and Basic Life Support skills.

Each CFR will confirm they have been issued read and signed appropriate documentation confirming they understand and will abide by the CFR policies and procedures, scope of practice and all training that they have received. This forms part of the induction training.

All elements of the course (pre learning and face to face) are required to be passed successfully to become an active volunteer. On verification of training competency an ID badge will be issued. Volunteers who require reassessment and additional support to attain the required standard will be supported in line with the education procedures for the course.

The Trust will run an ongoing training and development programme for volunteers. Elements of their induction process and ongoing re-assessments are mandatory and therefore the monitoring and compliance of this training is managed using the same processes as for any other Trust mandatory training. Ongoing training will be held regularly via the local group meetings and volunteers are required to attend these sessions to support group cohesion and mandatory training compliance.

CFR Training will develop a suite of training packages for use at local training sessions, which will enable the volunteer to maintain and enhance their skills in line with the approved training packages and scope of practice. These will be able to be delivered face to face or on-line, dependant on learners needs.

The annual mandatory practical reassessment will cover patient scenario, AED, BLS skills, basic airway management and include the use of bag valve mask for adult and paediatric. The statutory elements of the volunteer role will be completed through the Trust’s mandatory workbooks for all patient facing staff. All records will be held within Learning and Development.

Should learners be unsuccessful in their assessments (induction or mandatory annual assessments), an individual supportive plan will be put in place to support the volunteer attaining or maintaining their qualification.

Volunteers will also receive training in the operational aspects of the role to support them on EEAST specific procedures.

The Volunteer will undertake an appropriate nationally recognised qualification for first responding. Training for Volunteers will include the following subjects as part of the Level 3 Futurequals qualification :

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) To National UK Resuscitation Council Guidelines

• Management of patient in respiratory/cardiac arrest

• Use of AED

• Oxygen administration

• Management of choking patient, unconscious patient and fitting patient

• Recovery position

• Safety procedures

• Use of CFR equipment

• Safeguarding vulnerable children and adults

• Moving and handling to current HSE standards familiarisation

• Infection Prevention and Control

Volunteers will also receive training in the operational aspects of the role to support them on EEAST specific procedures and receive instruction in :

• Patient and scene management

• How to respond to a call

• How to report untoward incidents or unusual occurrences

• How to fill out EEAST Volunteer Report Form (VRF)

• Providing appropriate verbal hand-over to attending clinicians

• Consent, confidentiality and right of entry