Do Teachers in Ontario Need First Aid Training?
Teachers are responsible for the safety and well-being of their students, which has led many to wonder whether teachers need first aid training to teach in Ontario. In this article, we’ll discover whether Ontario teachers require first aid training, the benefits of first aid training for educators, and how to get certified.
Is First Aid Training Mandated for Ontario Teachers?
No, the Ministry of Education does not require Ontario teachers to be certified in First Aid. You can teach in Ontario with no first aid training or experience.
Daycare centres in Ontario do require their staff to learn standard first aid and training in child CPR, but educators are not included in this regulation.
Why Should Teachers Learn First Aid in Ontario?
It’s important to keep in mind that school-aged individuals spend most of their time at their school. As a result, students of all ages are susceptible to experiencing a health issue or injury while at school, especially those with pre-existing health issues. Almost all teachers will have to respond to a medical emergency at some point in their career, and in most cases, they’ll be the first to respond.
With teachers being in the position for an immediate response, it’s vital that they know how to take effective medical action. First aid training shows people how to respond to medical emergencies as effectively and safely as possible. Untrained first aid response varies in effectiveness, and can put a student’s life at risk.
By being trained in first aid, teachers can respond to emergency medical situations promptly, effectively, and with confidence. Teachers can save a student’s life with first aid certification. According to the Red Cross, an estimated 60% of deaths from injuries could have been prevented with an immediate first aid response.
How First Aid Training Opens Up Opportunities for Teachers
While first aid training is not required, many educational institutions see the value in employing first aid certified teachers.
First aid certification could be exactly what an up-and-coming teacher needs to refine their qualifications and raise themselves above the competition. Any professional in the education field knows how difficult it is to move up the ladder as a teacher. It can feel impossible to get your foot in the door. That’s because many Canadians are interested in teaching, but not all of them are first aid certified.
Furthermore, it also opens the door to new career advancement opportunities. Teachers certified in first aid could go on to become a school safety officer.
How to Become a First Aid Certified Teacher in Kitchener-Waterloo
To become a first aid certified teacher, book a training session with Pathways, a certified Red Cross Training Partner in Kitchener-Waterloo. We can get you red cross certified in 6-16 hours, depending on which first aid course you choose.
Our Red Cross Courses
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3-year certification in Emergency First Aid & CPR-C/AED.
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Priced at $99 CAD, this WSIB approved course teaches you how to effectively respond in an emergency while giving you life-saving first aid and CPR skills.
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The course is 3 hours in-person and 3 hours online, for a total course length of 6 hours.
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3-year certification in Standard First Aid & CPR-C/AED.
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Priced at $125 CAD, this WSIB approved course is a more comprehensive option for those looking to gain a complete understanding of first aid and CPR. With a longer course length, it covers a larger variety of medical situations and responses.
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The course is 7.5 hours in-person and 8 hours online, for a total course length of 15.5 hours.
In addition to individual training sessions, group training sessions are an option for educational institutions looking to have their entire staff trained in first aid.