First Aid Certificate

The Competency Framework requires all practitioners to hold a current first aid certificate.  The required certificate must encompass NZQA unit standards 6400, 6401 and 6402.  Courses are offered by different providers - for example St John, Red Cross.  Usually the course will be 16 hours - either over a weekend, or through evening classes.  The certificate lasts for 2 years after which it will need to be updated by the holder undertaking a refresher course.  The refresher course is usually 8 hours.

To be supplied with CPD summary

A photocopy of your first aid certificate, showing that it is current as at the 31st of December each year, is required to be sent to the Osteopathic Council each year with your Compulsory Professional Development (CPD) summary. 

The full course can be claimed under category 1 CPD credits, and the refresher course as category 2 credits.

To be supplied EACH year

As this is an ongoing requirement we strongly recommend that you take 2 photocopies of your first aid certificate upon receipt of it, and keep the photocopies in your CPD portfolio.  Then you will have a photocopy of it to send to the Council during each year that the certificate is valid.

Not required for registration

As this is a CPD requirement, rather than a requirement of registration, it is not necessary to have a current first aid certificate at the time of registration.  However, you must have it by December 31 of the year you register (or re-enter the profession).