First Aid in Care and Support Work
Care and support work can be unpredictable. Every day presents new challenges, and being prepared can make all the difference. One crucial aspect of this preparedness is knowing how to administer first aid. Whether you're just beginning your journey in the sector or you're a seasoned professional, possessing this skill can significantly impact the lives of those in your care.
Careseekers is partnering with CPR First Aid - a leading provider of compliant, practical and recognised first aid training to bring an exclusive discount to workers on the Careseekers platform.
We recently spoke with CPR First Aid to hear more about this importance of this training for aged care and disability support workers on the Careseekers platform.
1. What made you set up the business?
Our Director previously worked for another company and recognized the inefficiencies within the industry. This realisation motivated her to establish her own company. Her vision revolves around CPR first aid, which stands for "Clear Practical Relevant" first aid training. The primary focus is on hands-on learning to simplify the training process, creating an enjoyable experience that boosts participants' confidence and competence.
The company takes pride in offering top-tier quality and employing excellent trainers. Despite this,the business is committed to affordability, aiming to make first aid training accessible to everyone.
The founder acknowledges that people often undertake this training out of necessity for their jobs, rather than by choice. To address this, the company offers discounted rates. With an impressive annual record of training 70,000 individuals, the company's impact is evident.
The core values that guide the business are as follows:
Passionate: The company is devoted to sharing knowledge, bringing out the best in people, and delivering content in an engaging and enjoyable manner.
Dependable: Organizational prowess and responsiveness are key traits, ensure optimal outcomes for all involved parties.
Adaptable: The company thrives on flexibility and innovation, unafraid to challenge conventional practices.
2. Could you explain a little about the benefits of a first aid course for aged care and disability support workers?
First aid courses for aged care and disability support workers offer several important benefits,given the nature of their work and the vulnerable populations they care for.
Below are some of the benefits of a first aid course for aged care and disability support workers:
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Save lives. Aged care and disability support workers are often the first people on the scene of an emergency, and they may be the only ones who can provide life-saving care until paramedics arrive. First aid training can teach them how to do this, including how to perform CPR, control bleeding, and manage shock.
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Prevent situations from getting worse. Even basic first aid skills can help to prevent a minor injury from becoming a major one. For example, knowing how to apply a bandage can prevent a small cut from getting infected.
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Provide better overall care. First aid training can help aged care and disability support workers to provide better overall care to the people they support. They will be better equipped to identify and respond to potential medical problems, and they will be able to provide comfort and reassurance in times of crisis.
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Meet legal requirements. In some jurisdictions, it is a legal requirement for aged care and disability support workers to have first aid training. This is because they are responsible for the health and safety of the people they support.
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Increase confidence. First aid training can help to increase the confidence of aged care and disability support workers. They will feel more prepared to deal with an emergency, and they will be less likely to panic.
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Improve job prospects. Many employers in the aged care and disability support sector prefer to hire workers who have first aid training. This is because it shows that the worker is committed to providing the best possible care to the people they support.
We encourage all aged care or disability support workers, to take a first aid course. It is a valuable skill that could save a life.
3. What are some of the things Careseekers workers can expect to learn from the course?
Here are some of the things Careseekers workers can expect to learn from our first aid course:
- How to treat fainting
- How to manage shock.
- How to control bleeding.
- How to deal with choking.
- How to deal with seizures.
- How to treat burns and scalds.
- The importance of infection control.
- The legal and ethical aspects of first aid.
- How to treat heatstroke and hypothermia.
- How to perform CPR and basic life support.
- How to manage fractures and dislocations.
- How to deal with mental health emergencies.
- How to provide first aid to people with disabilities.
- How to assess a casualty's ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation).
- The importance of calling 911 or your local emergency number immediately in an emergency.
- The course will also cover practical skills, such as how to use a first aid kit, how to apply a bandage, and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
In addition to the skills and knowledge, Careseekers workers can also expect to gain confidence in their ability to help others in an emergency. They will also learn how to stay calm and focused in a stressful situation.
4. How can knowing how to provide first aid further a career in care and support?
Knowing how to provide first aid can further a career in care and support in several ways:
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Increase your chances of getting work. Many clients in the care and support sector prefer to hire workers who have first aid training. This is because it shows that the worker is committed to providing the best possible care to the people they support.
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Give you a competitive edge. If you are applying for a job in the care and support sector, having first aid training can give you a competitive edge over other applicants.
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Help you to advance your career. Having first aid training can help you to advance your career in the care and support sector. For example, you may be able to take on more responsibility or be promoted to a supervisory role.
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Give you peace of mind. Knowing how to provide first aid can give you peace of mind knowing that you are prepared to help in an emergency. This can be especially important if you work with people who are at an increased risk of injury or illness.
5. Can you give an example of when your training saved a life?
A client of the company shared her experience of being in a life-threatening situation right after her first aid training. Someone had a heart attack, and although she did not perform first aid herself, she was familiar with the process because she had just received the training. This experience made her realize how important it is to have first aid training in order to save lives.
In another incident, a trainer had just finished discussing diabetes when a student went hypoglycemic. The student became unconscious and fell off his chair. The other students thought it was a setup, but the trainer quickly threw a table across the room away from the casualty and began assessing him. The student regained consciousness and was given a handful of M&M's,
which helped him recover. It turned out that it was a hot day and the student had not eaten anything that day. The trainer got him a couple of sandwiches, and he was able to continue the class.
In both of these cases, the first aid training that the clients had received was invaluable. It helped them to stay calm and assess the situation, and it gave them the knowledge and skills they needed to help the people in need.
Being first aid trained is more than just a skill – it's an invaluable asset. When emergencies strike, the first few minutes are critical, and having the know-how to address the situation can make the difference between life and death. Especially in the care and support sector, where the vulnerable population is involved, first aid training is indispensable.
To become a care or support worker, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/carer
To find disability support services, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/services/disability-support-workers
To find aged care services, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/services/aged-care-workers
To make a referral, please visit https://www.careseekers.com.au/referrals
