First Aid Coordinator Job Description
The First Aid Coordinator (FAC) is responsible for first aid on the program. If the first aid kit is used, or a participant requires access to their own medication, this should all be done through the FAC. The following information will give you some information on how to fulfil your role as FAC.
What qualifications do I need?
A current Senior First Aid certificate would be regarded as a minimum level of training for a FAC. If a program is run in a remote location, remote first aid or wilderness first aid would be recommended. People with medical training such as nurses, paramedics or doctors are obviously well placed to be responsible for first aid on a program.
What are my responsibilities?
The FAC is responsible for:
- Being aware of each individual’s medical history.
- Relating any necessary information to the leadership team regarding medical history of individuals.
- Administering first aid.
- Administering medications.
- Ensuring first aid kits are adequately stocked with appropriate equipment.
- Ensuring first aid equipment is available to each individual at all times.
- Maintaining information records about the use of first aid equipment.
- Ensuring accident incident report forms are filled out when necessary.
How do I assess the medical information?
Most FAC are not medical doctors, and so are not legally able to make decisions on the medical conditions of individuals. However, medical forms provide information that is extremely useful. Here is a list of the minimum information needed:
Dietary requirements – Special dietary needs must be passed on to those responsible for the food on a program. If this is also an allergy, this information needs to be known by the leadership team, particularly any leaders who will have a lot of contact with the participant.
Swimming ability – The swimming ability of an individual will highlight those who may require more stringent supervision or attention around water. Programs that include water based activities should use a swim test prior to allowing participants to swim, so that supervisors are aware of how well each person can swim.
Medical insurance information – If a person needs to be admitted to a hospital or medical centretheir Medicare number is required. Some centres will need to know if an individual has private health cover and/or ambulance cover. This may affect the treatment schedule of individuals in some circumstances.
Need for medication – If a child or young personneeds to take any medication, our preference is that they bring their own and place it in the care of the leaders until required. This ensures that the use of medication and other drugs is controlled by the leadership team. A participantmay not require any medication but may ask for a pain killer or other over-the-counter drug. In this instance, the parent/caregiver must be contacted and their permission given prior to administering any form of medication. If you discover a child or young person has medication with them, and it has not been notified, then it must be confiscated until permission is given for them to have the medication.
Taken off medication recently – If a child or young person has recently been taken off medication, contact a medical specialist to find out what may be the side-effects expected.
Tetanus injection – This may be necessary information for doctors to know in the case of a medical emergency.
Broken/fractured bones – This may be necessary information for doctors to know in the case of a medical emergency.
Specific Medical Conditions – Some of this may be necessary information for doctors to know in the case of a medical emergency. It may also highlight areas in which leaders need to be vigilant. Here are some questions to consider if a participant indicates they have a condition.
- Does the child or young person have their medication? What is it?
- Do they need to be reminded to bring their medication?
- What are common triggers?
- What are likely signs and symptoms?
- Are any parts of the program likely to produce a reaction?
- Do we know how to deal with this condition if it should occur?
Call the caregiver to ask these questions or ask a medical professional and train yourself and the team.
Signature – Ensure that the form is signed.
When will I need outside help?
Never attempt anything you aren’t qualified to do. You are not expected to be a medical doctor in the field. First Aid is intended to prevent further harm from happening and promote some recovery until the person is able to receive professional medical attention. If you are in doubt about anything, get the person to medical aid as soon as possible. If any of the following occur, the casualty must be taken to a hospital for professional attention:
- There is a possibility of spinal, back or head injury
- Eye damage occurs
- The participant became unconscious
Remember, if in doubt, have them checked by a professional.
Version: March 2015 / Safe Salvos First Aid Coordinator Job Description / Page 1 of 2