Career As A CPR Instructor – A Description Getting knowledge and developing skills in performing basic CPR is a must deal for everyone. You don’t have to be a professional to get a CPR certification. In fact, most organizations and companies today, recommend their employees to undergo CPR and first aid training programs. Having said that, those who want to take up a career as a CPR instructor, they have come to the right place. CPR instructor – A professional who teaches and trains others about performing CPR in a correct manner. The role of such a professional is a challenging one. CPR instructor job description A CPR instructor is nothing less than a teacher, who teaches individuals about different and right methods of performing CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in the process help in saving lives. Such a professional, might require teaching and training in different types of settings, inclusive of worksites and classrooms to students who can be regular people and personnel entering the field of medicine and healthcare, along with, teachers and lifeguards. As a CPR instructor, you might have to teach through telecommunication too. It will be a part of your job. As a CPR instructor you must be capable of teaching small to large groups of people from different backgrounds in performing life-saving methods and techniques. BLS or the US Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies the career as self-enrichment education instructors and teachers. As per a recent BLS report – the average wage of a CPR instructor was $36,000 approximately (self-enrichment educators). However, the field is predicted to grow in the coming years by at least 21%. Thus, career of a CPR instructor is a rather lucrative one for sure. CPR instructor’s career – Pros and Cons Getting prior training in teaching and performing CPR, does deems you qualified for the position of a CPR instructor. However, you should also go through all details and information before deciding whether to take up this profession as your career option or not. Pros

• The field is predicted to grow fast and randomly within 2010 and 2020 and so does job opportunities too.
• You need a minimal formal training and basic high school diploma in order to apply for a CPR instructor’s position.
• You can have First Aid certification.
• As a CPR instructor, you get to assist others, as well as, work with students directly.

Cons

• You might require additional certification, other than CPR certification.
• You will have to follow specific training course.
• Must be open to work with different types of students.
• Schedule might involve the presence of nontraditional hours and days.

CPR instructor – Requirements for the career It is quite obvious that to become a CPR instructor, you need a CPR certification – that’s a given. You can get certified via numerous organizations, inclusive of American Heart Association, American Red Cross and National Safety Council. The certification programs that the above mentioned organizations offer, will train you to respond instantly to emergencies calling for the use of CPR and also methods to teach life saving techniques to your students too. You might also get First Aid certification via instructor program that National Safety Council offers. Through it, you can get to learn and train yourself in numerous ways for preventing disease transmission and also caring for illnesses, injuries and bleeding in the process. Along with formal training, as a CPR instructor, you need to possess the ability to communicate with your group in an effective manner. Finally, you need to have prior knowledge in teaching strategies for adults. Instructor Description Basic life support – First Aid/CPR In order to take up a career as a CPR instructor, you must possess enough creativity and capability to follow the curriculum of Basic Life Support or BLS. Along with this, you also need to have practical experience in teaching and communicating the skills that to the concerning students in a rather precise and comprehensible manner. Experience – A professional CPR instructor should at least have 1 year work experience in training or teaching – This is not a mandatory requirement. Requirements and qualifications of a CPR instructor

1. He/she should be 18 years of age and above
2. Must be in possession of professional certification, such as, Paramedic, EMT and so on.
3. Must be in possession of experience, especially in the field of First Aid.
4. Must have the experience of performing actual CPR in a medical emergency scene.

Programs:

1. CPR for healthcare personnel – BLS or Basic Life Support
2. CPR/AED – Pediatric, adult and infant in the community or workplace.
3. Bloodborne pathogens
4. Basic First Aid – Infant, pediatric and adult

CPR instructor – responsibilities

1. Answering different queries of students in an effective and comprehensive manner
2. Instructing BLS programs that to healthcare professionals and community.
3. Performing, rating and evaluating skills of respective students.
4. Making sure that the grades of students – pass or fail – are reported to the training center.
5. Making sure to return the evaluations of the instructor to the training center too.
6. Grading and administering written tests and exams.
7. Making and/or implementing suggestions on ways to enhance the service.

Job position for a CPR instructor are – AHA BLS instructor, ASHI BLS instructor, ARC BLS instructor, ProCPR instructor, EMT intermediate, EMT basic, Paramedic, Nurse, Certified Medical Assistant, Physician, National Safety Council instructor, and Respiratory Therapist. Alternative career path for a CPR instructor All your certifications and training can be channeled to different career paths, which require saving lives. Two such alternatives are – RN or Registered nurse and EMT or emergency medical technician. If you take up a career as a nurse, you will have to work under healthcare professionals such as, doctors and provide necessary medical assistance and care to patients. An RN makes more than a CPR instructor for sure – approximately $66,000. As an EMT, you will require providing medical assistance to those in need due to sudden injuries or illnesses. This career path will require you working on the weekend and overnight shifts and the approximate median wage is almost close to that of a CPR instructor - $31,000.