Do you work in the childcare industry or do you look after children? If you are searching for a First Aid course for childcare workers or want to learn emergency response for injured and sick children, this article could be your guide. We will identify the training and give an overview of the topics. Keep reading to learn more about what you should prepare.
What Do I Need?
If you are working in the childcare industry, you are required to first aid, asthma, and anaphylaxis training. You may ask, “What is the first aid course for childcare workers?”.
First, you have to refer to the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), the regulator of quality training for childcare workers in Australia. You may check which first aid, asthma, and anaphylaxis training they need as a minimum to complete the requirements of ACECQA.
Second, you may check the courses needed for Childcare First Aid. CPR First Aid Australia have First aid CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis Training. These courses are the following:
- HLTAID012 provides first aid in an education and care setting (now replacing HLTAID004) Included units are:
- HLTAID011 Provide first aid
- HLTAID010 Provide an emergency first aid response
- HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- HLTAID014 Provide advanced first aid (now replacing HLTAID006)
Some employers require combined Asthma and Anaphylaxis Training Childcare:
- 22578VIC Course in First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis (now replacing 22300VIC) which includes training on the new Anapen
- 22556VIC Course in the Management of Asthma Risks and Emergencies in the Workplace (replaces 22282VIC)
These courses are also open to hands-on parents who are wanting to acquire first aid skills, especially those who are taking good care of children with medical conditions such as asthma, allergic reaction, diabetes, and epilepsy. Let us have a quick preview of some of these common medical conditions in children including the action plan.
Asthma and Anaphylaxis
Asthma and Anaphylaxis are conditions that can be acquired by children and may require Childcare First Aid.
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the lungs and airways. It is characterised by wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction in response to certain triggers such as food, medication, or insect bites/stings. It can cause plenty of symptoms including swelling of the throat and difficulty breathing if not treated immediately.
If you assess that you are taking good care of a child with the medical condition of Asthma or Anaphylaxis, it is important to respond quickly and seek medical help. Childcare First Aid can be used to give relief from the symptoms of these conditions until professional help arrives. One of the emergency tools could be the Adrenaline Auto-Injector.
Adrenaline (Epinephrine)
Adrenaline (epinephrine) is the only medication proven to reverse the symptoms of anaphylaxis. Adrenaline acts as a natural “antidote” to some of the chemicals released during severe allergic reactions and works rapidly to reduce throat swelling, open the airways and maintain blood pressure. Adrenaline must be injected and cannot be taken by mouth.
When someone goes into anaphylactic shock, the sufferer needs a dose of adrenaline. Adrenaline is not harmful and in most cases, will stop the signs and symptoms for a short time. This medication is available via an autoinjector such as an EpiPen®
What is an EpiPen® Autoinjector?
The EpiPen® autoinjector contains one dose of adrenaline which should reverse the effects of anaphylaxis.
There are two strengths:
- Adults and children over 20kg (yellow)
- Children 10kg to 20kg (green)
Anapen® is a pre-filled syringe of adrenaline (epinephrine) contained in an auto-injection device for the immediate emergency treatment of severe allergic reaction (e.g.: anaphylactic shock), distributed by Allergy Concepts in Australia.
To manage the symptoms of allergies & anaphylaxis and open the airways, it is imperative to treat the reaction immediately with an emergency injection of adrenaline (epinephrine), followed by close medical supervision at a hospital.
This medicine is for emergency use only and patients or carers should call emergency assistance on 000 after the Anapen® injection, even if symptoms appear to be improving.
Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which there is a higher-than-normal amount of sugar found in the blood (hyperglycaemia). In a non-diabetic person, the pancreas creates insulin which breaks down sugars to be transferred to the body’s cells. This doesn’t happen to a person with diabetes.
There are three main types of diabetes– Type 1, Type 2 and gestational, all of which have similar symptoms but vary in the underlying cause.
Diabetes management plans will differ in format and detail in different states and territories and may vary for different clinical treatment teams.
The above excerpt from: https://www.diabetesinschools.com.au/resources/diabetes- management-plan-staff/
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes seizures. Seizures are sudden, uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in the brain. They can cause a variety of symptoms, including muscle spasms, loss of consciousness, and convulsions. Epilepsy can be caused by a variety of factors, including head injuries, genetic disorders, and infections. It is most common in children and young adults.
There are two notable Australian Peak Bodies that can assist with the creation of epilepsy management and actions plans:
- Epilepsy Foundation: https://epilepsyfoundation.org.au/
- Epilepsy Action Australia: https://www.epilepsy.org.au/
The plans are a practical guide that can be used by first aiders in settings to manage seizures and seizure emergencies, treatments and safety. This will help to minimise both the impact of seizures on the person’s daily life and the risk of injury in the event of a seizure.
Head Injuries
Head injuries are a common cause of hospitalisation, especially in children. In adults, these can occur from motor vehicle accidents, a fall or assault, an occupational accident, sports injury etc.
The approved provider of an education and care service must ensure that an incident, injury, trauma, and illness record is kept in accordance with the Education Care Services National regulation.
The incident, injury, trauma, and illness record must include:
- Details of any incident in relation to a child or injury received by a child or trauma to which a child has been subjected while being educated and cared for by the education and care service or the family day care educator, including:
- The name and age of the child; and
- The circumstances leading to the incident, injury or trauma; or details of illness including symptoms and
- The time and date the illness presented, the incident occurred, the injury was received, or the child was subjected to the trauma.
- Actions taken
- Any medical personnel contacted
- Any witnesses
- Names of any persons that the education or care centre attempted to notify of the incident and times and dates of these attempted notifications
Training Centers Near Me
CPR First Aid Australia has training facilities spread around the country. These are the following:
Victoria Locations:
- Melbourne
- Cheltenham
- Bundoora
- Dandenong
- Geelong
- Laverton
- Bendigo
- Tullamarine
NSW Locations:
- Sydney CBD
- Liverpool
- Hornsby
- Parramatta
WA Locations:
- West Perth
QLD Locations
- Brisbane City
- Southport
- Mount Gravatt
SA Locations
- Adelaide CBD
- Modbury
- Morphett Vale
What are the Topics Covered?
Here are some of the topics covered upon enrollment:
HLTAID012 PROVIDE FIRST AID
- Allergic Reaction
- Adrenaline Auto-Injector
- Anaphylaxis
- Asthma
- Non-Life-Threatening and Life-Threatening Bleeding
- Breathing Difficulties
- Burns
- Choking
- Diabetes
- Dehydration
- Drowning
- Envenomation – All Current Treatments
- Eye Injuries
- Febrile Convulsions
- Fever
- Fractures, Dislocations, Sprains and Strains
- Head, Neck and Spinal Injuries
- Hypothermia
- Hyperthermia
- Minor Wounds
- Pain
- Shock
- Nose-Bleed
- Poisoning
- Seizures
- Vomiting and Diarrhea
HLTAID014 Provide Advanced First Aid
- CPR
- Defibrillation
- Manual Handling Techniques
- Use Of An Aed
- Haemostatic Dressings
- Tourniquet
22556VIC Course in the Management of Asthma Risks and Emergencies in the Workplace
- Composition and essential components of an Asthma Management Plan
- Relevant workplace policies/procedures for the management of an asthma emergency
- Guidelines for Asthma peak bodies
- Risk management and minimisation strategies contextualised to the specific workplace environment
- Environmental hazard identification and minimisation
- Requirements in some workplaces for Police Checks and/ or Working with Children Checks
- State/Territory regulatory requirements for asthma management relevant to workplace contexts
- Signs and symptoms of asthma – mild/moderate, severe, and life-threatening
- Potential consequences of an asthma episode
- Common allergic and non-allergic asthma triggers
- First aid principles and procedures for the emergency management of asthma; including individual Asthma Action Plans
- Common asthma medication and equipment
- Sources of medical assistance, such as designated first aiders/first aid officers, general practitioners, ambulance
- Workplace’s debriefing policies/procedures
- State/territory regulations, first aid codes of practice and workplace requirements for refresher training to maintain currency of competence
22578VIC Course in First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis
- The triggers/allergens which cause allergic reactions
- First aid principles and procedures, including bringing medication to the casualty rather than moving them (unless it is necessary to remove them from immediate danger, such as a beehive)
- ARC Basic Life Support Flowchart information
- If there is uncertainty, administer adrenaline as a priority before any other medications (e.g. Asthma reliever medication), as per ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis emergency response procedures for the workplace
- Requirements for replacement of the adrenaline autoinjector
- Documentation requirements
- Refresher training requirements for those undertaking this unit
- The signs and symptoms associated with both mild to moderate allergic reactions and severe allergic reactions(anaphylaxis) and how to distinguish between them.
Certification
Assessed participants who completed the course are issued First aid CPR, anaphylaxis and asthma certificates.
- Statement of Attainment in HLTAID012 Provide first aid in an education and care setting, including these units:
- HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- HLTAID010 Provide Emergency Life Support
- HLTAID011Provide firstaid
- Statement of Attainment in 22578VIC Course in First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis
- Statement of Attainment in 22556VIC Course in the Management of Asthma Risks and Emergencies in the Workplace
Conclusion
The first aid course for childcare workers/and anaphylaxis training childcare are useful for everyone especially those who are looking after children with medical conditions. Acquiring first aid skills and knowledge during emergencies, aside from considering this for work requirement purposes, is essential. Go to your nearest training centre. You may avail Spring Promo at 20% Off. Thanks for reading! Take care!
