This page is intended to relate the COVID-19 Alert Level guidance specifically to the delivery of first aid training to provide the sector with common understanding of requirements. It covers expectations of actions at Alert Level 3 and Alert Level 2 as of August 2020.
It has been put together by The Skills Organisation in partnership with the New Zealand Resuscitation Council.
As further information comes to hand, this page may be amended further. Any replacement version will be made available on the Skills COVID-19 page and the NZ Resuscitation Council COVID-19 page.
What the different alert levels mean for you
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Guidance for all Levels
Ministry of Education Guiding Principles for Tertiary Providers
Alert Level 3 Guidance
Guidance for First Aid Providers Alert Level 3
Teaching and Learning
- Learning activities may be run in an online format where possible and knowledge acquisition may occur remotely. This needs to include evidence of how the activities contribute to the time requirements for first aid unit standards.
- No face-to-face training should be undertaken.
- Workplace-based and scenario learning that is on-site or face-to-face should not proceed, except in very limited circumstances (e.g. where a learner is working at an Essential Services, such as a Hospital, and that learning is directly related to the national COVID-19 response.) Any on-site workplace-based learning must be managed within the COVID-19 related restrictions being applied to that workplace.
- Vulnerable people (or those caring for or living with vulnerable people) should not participate in any on-site work or learning.
Assessment
- Online knowledge assessment may be conducted where possible. This needs to include evidence of how the activities contribute to the time requirements for first aid unit standards. Learners may be offered an acknowledgment of their achievement.
- Practical assessment should not be conducted and should be deferred until Alert Level 2 (or lower for vulnerable people).
Certificates
- Full First Aid Certificates should not be provided until after the deferred practical assessment is conducted in Alert Level 2.
- Refreshers Online – acknowledgement of achievement should be clearly delineated as online knowledge only refresher training. It should not look the same as usual first aid certificates where CPR and choking have been refreshed and demonstrated.
- We recommend the full first aid refresher certificate is given after deferred assessment of practical skills in Alert Level 2.
Alert Level 2 Guidance
Guidance for First Aid Providers Alert Level 2
Teaching and Learning
Given the physical nature of First Aid Training, the following activities are allowed but must be strictly managed to ensure the requirements of 1-metre physical distancing and the ability to contact trace if required:
- Strict hygiene should be maintained by all instructors and learners and for all training equipment.
- Classes and workshops may continue ensuring 1-metre physical distancing requirements are met. This may require small classes and workshops of 10 people or less.
- Workplace-based learning and scenarios that are on-site or face-to-face may proceed. Any on-site workplace-based learning must be managed within the COVID-19 related restrictions being applied to that workplace.
- Entry to refresher training can use a 5 month grace period until the end of July 2020 (period may yet change).
- Where learners are attending for a deferred assessment, sufficient practice and refresher time needs to be provided.
- Vulnerable people (or those caring for/living with vulnerable people) should not participate in any on-site work or learning.
Assessment
- On-line knowledge assessment may be conducted where possible.
- Knowledge assessment and practical assessment may be carried out on-site if 1-metre physical distancing requirements are met.
- For CPR assessment, alternative means of assessing competence of rescue breaths still applies. Further explanation here
- Where learners are undertaking deferred assessment, allocate sufficient practice and refresher time prior to the assessment.
Ensure too, that the knowledge component completed online was authentically completed by the person attending for the practical assessment. This may involve additional questioning.
- Any workplace-based examinations or assessments must be carried out in line with the policies and practices being applied to that type of workplace.
- Vulnerable people (or those caring for/living with vulnerable people) should not participate in any on-site assessment.
Certificates
- Full First Aid Certificates may be provided to learners who meet the requirements of the unit standards, including CPR – including anyone who met the standard in 2 stages through deferred assessment.
- Refresher Certificates may be provided to learners who meet the requirements, including CPR – including anyone who met the standard in 2 stages through deferred assessment.