• Background to IHF CFR Instructor Updates

• Optional Dual Instructor Recognition

• Types of CFR Instructors

• Gaining Dual Instructor Recognition

• Upcoming IHF CFR Instructor Update Sessions  

• Frequently Asked Questions 

• Ordering PHECC Cardiac First Response (CFR) Training Materials

BACKGROUND TO IHF CFR INSTRUCTOR UPDATES

The Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) has recently been approved by the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) as a recognised institution to provide courses at Cardiac First Response (CFR) – response, practitioner and instructor level within the Basic Life Support (BLS) Programme. The Foundation will continue to offer the current American Heart Association (AHA) BLS courses but will now additionally offer PHECC CFR courses in our BLS Training programme.

PHECC is an independent statutory agency with responsibility for standards, education and training in the field of pre-hospital emergency care. PHECC is the Irish EMS regulator and also maintains a statutory register of pre-hospital emergency care practitioners.

The IHF CFR Responder Course will use the standard IHF/AHA Heartsaver AED course as its basis and the IHF CFR practitioner course will use the BLS for Healthcare Provider course. Both courses have additional modules added to cover PHECC course requisites.

OPTIONAL DUAL INSTRUCTOR RECOGNITION

Please note that the CFR Course is aimed at the pre-hospital training setting where pre-hospital emergency care may be provided either by a volunteer, contractor or employee. The Foundation is NOT making it compulsory for current BLS or Heartsaver Instructors to become dually certified as a PHECC CFR Instructor.

As it is not compulsory for current instructors to become dually certified, instructors can continue to teach solely the IHF/AHA Heartsaver or Healthcare Provider Courses without the CFR add-on modules and issue solely IHF/AHA certificates. These instructors do not need to attend an IHF CFR Update Session.

TYPES OF CFR INSTRUCTOR

There are two different types of PHECC Instructor Certification that the Foundation will be introducing into the programme. These are the PHECC CFR Responder Instructor and the PHECC CFR Practitioner Instructor.

The CFR Responder Instructor Certificationis suitable for laypeople teaching in the community. Currently certified IHF Heartsaver Instructors who wish to teach CFR Courses will become dually certified as IHF Heartsaver / PHECC CFR Responder Instructors.

The CFR Practitioner Instructor Certificationis suitable for individuals who have a healthcare background and will be teaching both healthcare professionals and laypeople. Currently certified IHF BLS Instructors who wish to teach CFR Courses will become dually certified as IHF BLS / PHECC CFR Practitioner Instructors.

The Foundation will notbe allowing AHA/IHF Heartsaver Instructors to become dually certified as CFR Practitioner Instructors as this course is aimed at those with a healthcare background who will be teaching both laypeople and healthcare professionals.

Where a course includes the additional CFR modules, providers should be issued with both an IHF/AHA Heartsaver AED or Healthcare Provider card and a PHECC CFR response or practitioner card as appropriate.

GAINING DUAL INSTRUCTOR RECOGNITION

Although it is not compulsory to attend an update currently certified BLS and Heartsaver Instructors who want to teach the CFR course must attend an IHF CFR Update session. This will ensure they are entitled to receive dual certification as both an AHA/IHF Instructor and as a PHECC recognised CFR Instructor.

By completing a CFR Update session currently certified IHF/AHA Heartsaver Instructors will become dually certified as a CFR Responder Instructor. Currently certified IHF/AHA BLS Instructors will become dually certified as a CFR Practitioner Instructor.

Current Heartsaver & BLS Instructors will not be obliged to attend a specific CFR update session and can attend any of the IHF CFR updates being offered by any of the BLS Provincial Faculty.

To receive dual IHF/AHA and PHECC CFR Instructor Certification currently certified BLS and Heartsaver Instructors must complete the following at an update session:

• Attend an IHF CFR Instructor Session which includes completing the additional CFR add-on modules.
• Successfully complete MCQs at the appropriate level – Heartsaver Instructors must complete the CFR Responder MCQs and BLS Instructors must complete the CFR Practitioner MCQs.

Please note that during the rollout of the CFR Courses into the Foundation’s training programme BLS and Heartsaver Instructors should continue to complete their instructor renewal prior to their certification lapsing. No extensions or exceptions for instructor renewals will be made due to the rollout of the CFR Course.

UPCOMING IHF CFR INSTRUCTOR UPDATE SESSIONS

BLS Provincial Faculty will be conducting IHF CFR Instructor Updates in the coming months. We will put more upcoming sessions on this page as we are informed of dates so please check again if there is not yet a date or venue which you can attend.

For futher venue details please contact the Faculty Member(s) detailed below. 

IHF CFR Instructor Update Sessions should cover all of the information IHF Instructors need to begin teaching IHF CFR Courses however if you have any further queries following your update or as you begin to start teaching the course than please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone at 01 668 5001 or by email at cfr@irishheart.ie