Blended First Aid at Work​​​
Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (RQF)
Ofqual Regulated
3
Year Certificate
6 Hours Online
2 Classroom Days
The Same First Aid at Work Qualification, Delivered Through Blended Learning
The Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (RQF) delivered through blended learning leads to the same regulated qualification as the traditional three-day classroom course. Blended learning changes how the training is delivered; it does not change the qualification, learning outcomes or assessment standard.
Learners first complete approximately six hours of approved e-learning. This required pre-learning must be completed before attending two days of face-to-face training.
The classroom sessions build on the online learning through trainer-led teaching, discussion, practical demonstrations, repeated skills practice and assessment. All required practical assessments and both multiple-choice question papers are completed during the face-to-face classroom sessions.
This route can help organisations reduce the time employees spend away from the workplace while retaining two full days of practical training and assessment.
How the Blended Course Works
The qualification contains 18 Guided Learning Hours. Under the approved blended-learning delivery model, these are divided between:
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Approximately 6 hours of required e-learning completed before the classroom course
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12 hours of face-to-face training and assessment delivered across 2 classroom days​
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The e-learning is not an optional introduction. Learners must complete it before attending and provide the required evidence of completion. Anyone who has not completed the online element cannot simply use the classroom days as a shortened First Aid at Work course.
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Learners must attend both classroom days in full and successfully complete every required assessment to achieve the qualification.
What Is Covered Online?
The six-hour e-learning element introduces and develops knowledge across subjects including:
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The role and responsibilities of a first aider
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Infection control, consent, first aid equipment and incident reporting
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Incident and casualty assessment
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Primary and secondary surveys
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Hypoxia and hyperventilation
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Epilepsy and seizures
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Diabetes
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Asthma
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Burns and scalds, including electrical and chemical burns
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Eye injuries
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Poisoning
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Anaphylaxis
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Chest injuries
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The circulatory system
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Angina and heart attack
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Stroke
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Fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains
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Spinal injuries
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The classroom course revisits and develops relevant knowledge where needed. Completion of the e-learning does not replace the practical training or assessment.
What Happens During the Classroom Days?
Day 1 concentrates on the Emergency First Aid in the Workplace unit. Learners develop and demonstrate skills including:
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Assessing an incident and casualty
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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and safe AED use
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Responding to choking
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Managing an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally
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The recovery position and ongoing casualty monitoring
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Responding to seizures
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Managing external bleeding and shock
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Managing minor injuries, including small cuts, grazes, bruises, splinters, minor burns and nosebleeds
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Completing the Unit 1 multiple-choice assessment
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Day 2 covers the Recognition and Management of Illness and Injury in the Workplace unit. Subjects include:
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Poisoning
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Asthma and hyperventilation
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Anaphylaxis and use of adrenaline auto-injector training devices
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Chest injuries
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Angina and heart attack
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Stroke
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Fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains
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Head and spinal injuries
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Epilepsy and seizures
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Diabetes
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Conducting a secondary survey
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Eye injuries
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Burns and scalds
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Completing the Unit 2 multiple-choice assessment
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Both days combine trainer-led learning with practical activities, skills development and assessment.
How Is the Course Assessed?
All assessments take place during the two face-to-face classroom days. The online learning prepares learners for the classroom course but does not replace any required practical or written assessment.
Learners must successfully complete seven mandatory practical assessments:
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CPR and the safe use of an automated external defibrillator
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Responding to a choking casualty
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Managing an unresponsive casualty
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Managing wounds, bleeding and shock
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Conducting a secondary survey
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Managing suspected fractures
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Managing anaphylaxis
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Learners must also complete two multiple-choice question papers under assessment conditions:
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Unit 1: 15 questions, with a minimum pass mark of 11
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Unit 2: 25 questions, with a minimum pass mark of 18
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The qualification is graded Pass or Fail. Every mandatory area of assessment must be completed successfully for the qualification to be awarded.
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Practical competence is assessed throughout the classroom course, so learners must take an active part in the practical activities and demonstrate the required skills themselves.
Catastrophic Bleeding Training Included
DTMK includes Qualsafe’s optional catastrophic bleeding module as standard on this Blended First Aid at Work course, unless an organisation specifically asks us not to include it.
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The additional training covers:
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Recognising life-threatening bleeding
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Wound packing
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Using an improvised tourniquet
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Applying a manufactured tourniquet
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Practical assessment of catastrophic bleeding management
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Learners who successfully complete the optional training and practical assessment receive additional wording on their Qualsafe certificate acknowledging these skills.
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Additional classroom time may be required to deliver and assess this module properly. Any organisation arranging private training should therefore agree the course timings with DTMK in advance.
Who Is This Qualification For?
This qualification is intended for people who have a specific responsibility at work, or within voluntary and community activities, to provide first aid in a range of situations.
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It may be appropriate for workplace first aiders in organisations whose first aid needs assessment identifies that the broader First Aid at Work qualification is required.
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Employers remain responsible for determining the number of first aiders they need and the appropriate level of training. Course duration or convenience should not be used as a substitute for a suitable first aid needs assessment.
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If you are uncertain whether your organisation requires Emergency First Aid at Work or the broader First Aid at Work qualification, use our First Aid Requirements Calculator or contact DTMK before booking.
Entry Requirements
Learners must be at least 14 years old on the first day of training.
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There are no other formal entry requirements. However, Qualsafe recommends that learners have a minimum of Level 1 literacy and numeracy, or an equivalent standard, because the course includes online learning and written multiple-choice assessments.
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Learners must be able to perform the required practical skills at floor level. These include cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the practical management of an unresponsive casualty.
Due to the practical nature of the classroom training, learners should wear suitable clothing and flat footwear. Trousers are recommended to allow learners to participate comfortably and safely in floor-level activities.
Completing the E-Learning
The online element must be completed before the learner attends the first classroom day. Evidence of completion will be checked at the start of the face-to-face course.
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Each learner will need:
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Their own email address
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Reliable access to the internet
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A suitable computer, laptop or tablet
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Sufficient time to complete approximately 6 hours of online learning
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To provide evidence that the e-learning has been completed
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Access to the e-learning is issued individually once the booking has been confirmed, the required learner details have been received and payment has been made.
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Because DTMK incurs a separate cost when e-learning access is issued, access will not be released before payment. Once issued, e-learning access is personal to the named learner and must not be shared with another person.
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Learners should begin the online element promptly rather than leaving it until immediately before the classroom course. Anyone experiencing difficulty accessing or completing the e-learning should contact DTMK as soon as possible so that support can be provided.
Accessibility and Reasonable Adjustments
DTMK is committed to making training and assessment accessible wherever a reasonable adjustment is permitted.
Please tell us about any disability, injury, medical condition, learning need, language need or other circumstance that may affect participation as early as possible. Some adjustments require prior approval from Qualsafe and supporting information may need to be submitted before the course.
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The qualification requires learners to demonstrate practical competence personally. To achieve the regulated qualification, a learner must complete the required practical assessments without physical assistance from another person.
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Reasonable adjustments may support how training or assessment is accessed, but they cannot remove or reduce the competence required by the qualification.
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Learners who may find written assessments difficult should contact DTMK in confidence before attending. Permitted support or alternative assessment arrangements can then be considered in accordance with Qualsafe’s requirements.
Key Qualification Information
Qualification title: Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (RQF)
Qualification number: 603/2384/X
Operational start date: 1 October 2017
Regulation: Ofqual regulated
Qualification level: Level 3
Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 18
Blended delivery: Approximately 6 hours of approved distance learning followed by 12 hours of face-to-face classroom training and assessment over 2 days
Total Qualification Time (TQT): 22 hours
Credit value: 2
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Number of units: 2 mandatory units
Unit 1: Emergency First Aid in the Workplace
Unit 2: Recognition and Management of Illness and Injury in the Workplace
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Minimum learner age: 14 years
Maximum class size: 12 learners per trainer
Certificate validity: 3 years
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Assessment:
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7 mandatory practical assessments completed during the classroom course
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Unit 1 multiple-choice question paper: 15 questions, with a minimum pass mark of 11
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Unit 2 multiple-choice question paper: 25 questions, with a minimum pass mark of 18
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Optional catastrophic bleeding practical assessment where this additional module is included
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All mandatory practical and theory assessments must be passed to achieve the qualification.
The maximum period in which to achieve the qualification, including any permitted referrals, is 10 weeks.
Requalification and Maintaining Your Skills
The qualification is valid for 3 years. Learners must complete appropriate requalification training and assessment before their certificate expires if they need to remain qualified as a workplace first aider.
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Eligible learners may be able to complete the shorter 12-hour First Aid at Work Requalification course by providing an acceptable current or recently expired First Aid at Work certificate.
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Where a previous certificate has expired, the individual is no longer considered qualified to act as a workplace first aider. Learners and employers should therefore arrange requalification before the expiry date.
Qualsafe also recommends annual refresher training to help first aiders maintain their basic skills and keep up to date with changes in first aid practice.
Private Blended First Aid at Work Training
This course can be arranged privately for groups of up to 12 learners.
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Training may be delivered at your organisation’s venue or, subject to availability and suitable arrangements, at the DTMK training centre in Bletchley, Milton Keynes.
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If training is delivered at your venue, the room must be suitable for practical first aid training and assessment. It should provide:
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Sufficient clear floor space for practical activities
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Suitable seating and writing surfaces
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Adequate lighting, heating and ventilation
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Safe access and emergency exits
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Appropriate toilet facilities
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A clean environment with minimal distracting noise
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Enough space to conduct written assessments appropriately
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DTMK will provide the required training and assessment equipment. We will discuss the venue, dates, learner numbers, e-learning arrangements and any accessibility requirements before confirming the booking.
View our current course prices for guidance, then contact DTMK to discuss dates and request private training for your organisation.