What Is a First Aid Instructor and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

A first aid instructor teaches cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic life support skills to students through classes and workshops. Your students may need first aid or CPR certification for their job, a volunteer position, or simply due to personal interest. Your job duties include scheduling class times, coordinating locations, transporting equipment and supplies, teaching the approved curriculum, reviewing safety standards, and evaluating student performance. You may have to give and grade an exam, and you must provide signed certificates of completion for your students once they master the first aid and CPR techniques you reviewed.

To start your career as a first aid instructor, you must obtain a high school diploma or GED certificate followed by completion of a training program. Various organizations offer first aid instructor training, including the National Safety Council (NSC), the American Red Cross (ARC), and the American Heart Association (AHA). Before you can complete an instructor training course, you must become CPR and first aid certified yourself. You may need to take a pre-instructor exam to qualify for the instructor training program. Once you complete your instructor training, you must complete supervised teaching experience before you can receive the full qualifications of a first aid instructor.