First Aid Requirements
Entry to the pharmacy profession requires that all pharmacists (including Intern pharmacists) hold a First Aid Certificate. Until recently this was in NZQA Unit Standards:
- 6400 Manage First Aid in Emergency situations
- 6401 Provide First Aid
- 6402 Provide Resuscitation, Level 2.
In December 2010, NZQA published two new first aid standards:
- 26551 Provide first aid for life-threatening conditions
- 26552 Demonstrate knowledge of common first aid conditions and how to respond to them
The 6000 series of standards will expire in December 2013, when 26551 and 26552 become the only approved standards.
Following registration, the minimum on-going requirement to maintain competency for pharmacists who declare Competence Standard 3 as part of their practice remains a refresher course in CPR equivalent to New Zealand Resuscitation Council (NZRC) Level 2 or NZQA Unit Standard 26551, once every THREE years.
Individual pharmacists may choose to maintain competency at a level higher but the decision should be based on self-reflection and an assessment of their own and their community's requirements. For example, a pharmacist practising next to a medical centre may need only CPR, whereas a pharmacist in a remote or rural setting may want to maintain their medical emergency training at NZRC CORE Level 3 or 4.
Pharmacists who are designated workplace first aid providers must comply with Department of Labour requirements regarding first aid competency.
Questions and Answers
Q. Do I have to use the new standards now?
A. Courses are based on either unit standards 6400, 6401 and 6402, or their replacement unit standards, 26551 and 26552. Both sets teach core first aid skills and knowledge. The 6400 series of standards will expire in December 2013 and will no longer be available, so Council recommends you use the new unit standards now.
Q. Red Cross has said my certificate will expire if I don't renew it every 2 years. What is the difference between St John/Red Cross requirements and Council requirements?
A. Council requires you to have a full first aid certificate for entry into the profession (either as an Intern, as a Returning to Practise pharmacist or if you are from overseas). After this, Council only requires you to update your CPR skills once every 3 years as evidence of competency in Competence Standard 3.
If you need a full certificate for personal reasons eg for a sports team or diving, you will still need to complete a refresher course every 2 years as per the Red Cross or St John requirements.
Similarly, if you are the designated work-place first aid person, you must satisfy the Department of Labour requirements.
Q. What is NZRC Level 2?
A. NZRC Level 2 requires trained people to:
- have an understanding of breathing and circulatory assessment
- have practical skills in manual airway control
- perform expired air ventilation and chest compression (CPR), and
- understand the differences between paediatric "call fast" and adult "call fast" resuscitation
Q. I currently hold a certificate in unit standards 6400, 6401 and 6402. After December 2013 will the expiry of the 6400 series impact on my ability to remain current?
A. The expiry of the 6400 series will not impact on your ability to keep attending refresher courses. To be accepted onto a refresher course you must hold either the 6400 series of standards or 26551 and 26552. After December 2013 many providers will be offering refresher courses based on 26551 and 26552. Holding the 6400 series will still enable you to attend these refresher courses.
Q. What are the requirements if I am the designated workplace first aider?
A. The Department of Labour sets these requirements - you would need to do a full first aid refresher course every 2 years to maintain currency.
Q. I got my new certificate in March 2009 just before the policy changed. When will I have to do a CPR course by?
A. You are required to do a refresher course in CPR once every three years if you practice in Competence Standard 3. Your current certificate expired in March 2011 but Council will allow you until March 2012 to do a CPR course.
Q. I am an Intern pharmacist. What do I need to do?
A. Intern pharmacists are required to hold a current First Aid certificate when applying for registration in the scope of practice of a pharmacist ie you must provide evidence of a full certificate when you apply to the Council to register in the Pharmacist scope of practice.
Q. I am a pharmacist from Canada. What does the Council require me to do?
A. Pharmacists applying for registration through the Recognised Equivalent Qualifications Route (REQR) are not required to hold a current certificate at the time of full registration. However, they would be expected to hold one by the next APC renewal date, if they declare Competence Standard 3 as part of their practice.
Q. Who provides CPR courses apart from ST John and Red Cross?
A. A list of registered providers who can assess first aid standards is available at www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers/index.do?frameworkId=1415815793
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