How To Become a Red Cross Facilitator

The pathway to becoming a Red Cross program facilitator can seem overwhelming. Regardless of the level of facilitator you choose to become, there are some basic fundamentals each individual must complete prior to becoming a facilitator.

The Red Cross supports communities around the world through Disaster Relief initiatives, Swimming & Water Safety, Respect Education, and First Aid.  Many individuals receive instruction and certification in one or all of these areas to support their workplace requirements, home life, or personal needs.

Each of these areas provides Instructor level courses if a participant decides to pursue a career as a course or program facilitator.

There are several types of Instructors/Facilitators within the Red Cross:

• Youth Leader

• Wilderness & Remote First Aid Instructor

• CPR Instructor

• First Aid & CPR Instructor

• Emergency Care Instructor

• Advanced Wilderness & Remote First Aid Instructor

• Advanced Emergency Care Instructor

Regardless of the level of facilitator you choose to become, there are some basic fundamentals each individual must complete prior to becoming a facilitator.

1. Take a course! If your goal is to become a Youth Leader, Wilderness Instructor or First Aid Instructor, then you need to take a Red Cross course in that discipline.  Visit redcross.ca and “find a course in my area” to select a training partner that is running an Instructor level course at the dates and times that may fit your region or schedule.
2. Skills Evaluation & Prerequisites.  Connect with a training partner that has an Instructor/Instructor Trainer/Teaching Experience Supervisor (TES)  who can assess your theoretical comprehension and skills. Each candidate must successfully complete the skill checks in their respective fields.   Recap: each individual must ensure they have the basics: 18 years of age (or older), must possess a valid participant certificate in the program they wish to facilitate, successfully complete a Skills Evaluation Checklist that is authenticated by a valid Red Cross Instructor or Instructor Trainer.
3. Fundamentals of Instruction.  Once you have completed your Skills Evaluation & Prerequisites, participants must successfully complete the online component (online component is 8 hours – 100% participation is mandatory and a minimum of 80% is required on all testing).
4. Discipline Specific Classroom Component.  Once the Fundamentals of Instruction Is successfully completed, candidates must attend the classroom component that is discipline specific to their area of facilitation.
5. Teaching Experience Supervisor & Mentorship. New Instructor Candidates must complete the Teaching Experience module (approximately 30-45 min) in addition to a classroom component with a TES.
6. Certification. The last step is to get certified, making you an official program facilitator with the Red Cross.  To obtain your full certification level, the Candidate must complete a minimum of 50% co-teach in a full course at the level in which they are choosing for Instructor certification.  This must be completed within one year (1 year) of their initial Instructor level course. Essentially, the Instructor Candidate must attend 100% of the co-teach course, complete a minimum of 50% of the co-teach and provide a course outline to the Teaching Experience Supervisor. The TES must sign off all documentation verifying the Candidates aptitude and skills.  The Candidate must then send all signed documents to the Red Cross for verification. To maintain Instructor level certification, the new Instructor must complete 3 courses within 3 years to qualify for recertification in their respective fields. The new Instructor must have their own independent insurance agent to facilitate courses or connect with a Red Cross Training Partner who will sign them under their insurance policy.

By following this list and successfully networking with other Instructors, Instructor Trainers,  Training Partners, and Teaching Experience Supervisors, you can be a part of this incredible Red Cross family in no time, teaching participants life-saving skills while also knowing the ins and outs yourself.

Don’t forget to volunteer! Become a Red Cross volunteer by visiting www.redcross.ca/volunteer to apply and support your community.

RED CROSS RESOURCES: 

FIND A COURSE IN YOUR AREA:

BAXTERSAFETY.COM

COURSE SCHEDULES & REGISTRATION