First aid officers are an important role in an organisation in order to provide immediate care to an injured or ill person until they have either recovered or medical attention is provided.
Standard hygiene precautions and situational awareness are always required in any first aid situation.
- Take reasonable care of your own and others health and safety in performing your normal work and your role as a first aid officer. This means not placing yourself in danger of harm and/or illness in the course of providing first aid.
- Provide care only to the level of your training and expertise.
- Organise more advanced medical care for the injured/ill person where required.
What duties am I expected to undertake?
- Assessing what has happened to cause an injury or illness
- Identifying hazards and risks in the area
- Controlling cross contamination of infections
- Calmly reassuring the casualty
- Assess the patient and identify possible first aid solutions
- Apply first aid (to the limit of your training and experience)
- Call for appropriate assistance
What personal qualities should I have as a first aid officer?
- Access and manage the provision of first aid in a calm manner
- Have a good understanding of your role as first responder if an incident occurs
- Know that your normal duties may need to be put on hold while you administer first aid
- Be physically able to perform first aid techniques including CPR
- Be aware of both your own and others well-being (not putting yourself or others at risk)
Standard hygiene precautions
You must protect your own health and well-being when providing first aid to others. Standard precautions help you avoid becoming ill and exposing others to illness when handling blood or body substances. Standard precautions are to be used on every patient to ensure a basic level of infection prevention and control.
Standard precautions include:
- Hand washing before and after providing first aid
- Using disposable gloves and other personal protective equipment
- Employing the correct method of disposal of contaminated items and sharps
- Ensuring spills of blood and body substances are cleaned in a hygienic and safe manner
Note that in Queensland, the Code of Practice for First Aid is now enforceable and must be complied with.
Need CPR and/or first aid training for your team?
CTA offers a number of first aid courses throughout Queensland. You can look at available dates here.
If you are interested in a group booking, we can come to your workplace! Simply contact our Operations team on 07 3878 8977 or email operations at ctatraining.com.au to discuss your options.
Need assistance with first aid officer duties in your venue?
For any clarification or questions on your first aid officer duties in your venue, please contact Michelle Pitman our DWS Hospitality Specialists Work Health Safety & Compliance Advisor, on 0401 014 619 or email@example.com.