Teachers often spend more waking hours with kids than their parents during the week. This is why it’s absolutely critical to equip educators with all the skills they need to keep kids safe.
In many cases, states and school districts require teachers to obtain certain first aid skills. However, many educators pursue first aid training and additional skills well above and beyond any regulatory requirements.
Read on to find out more about the legal obligations surrounding teachers and first aid training. Also, learn which certifications medical practitioners advise them to seek out and achieve.
Key Takeaways
First aid requirements for teachers typically vary by state or district. Most states have laws requiring teachers to obtain certain first aid qualifications.
Medical experts recommend teachers obtain pediatric first aid training, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillator (AED) training.
Additional specialist training like pediatric mental health and the ability to recognize and treat allergic reactions are also recommended for teachers and school support staff.
Basic First Aid Every Teacher Should Know
Teachers must pay attention and fulfill any regulatory obligations they’re bound to uphold regarding first aid training.
However, many districts and medical practitioners encourage teachers to go beyond the bare minimum and pursue additional first aid skills to promote student safety.
Trent Carter, a nurse practitioner at Curednation, explains: “Most schools have nurses to handle medical problems for students. However, in some critical situations, teachers can act as first responders and prevent things from getting worse.
"Knowledge of CPR can be crucial and can save many lives in case of cardiac emergencies. Choking incidents are common in schools. Teachers should be able to perform the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge whatever it is that is blocking their airways. It can save someone’s life or prevent potential brain damage.”
Carter also advises teachers to be able to recognize signs of shock, concussion, stroke, or heart attack. “If they are able to identify the signs, only then they will be able to provide medical help promptly,” he adds.
Likewise, Dr. Kelvin Fernandez, tutor and medical residency advisor at Ace Med Boards, points out the importance of knowing how to treat minor wounds, recognizing common signs of allergic reactions, and understanding the basic protocol for seizures.
Teachers are also advised to obtain basic instruction to develop proficiency operating an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in the event of a cardiac arrest.
Are Teachers Required to Undergo First-Aid Training?
Yes, in most jurisdictions, school teachers and support staff are legally required to undergo certain types of first-aid training.
However, it’s important to note that any legal requirements imposed on teachers are administered at the state or even district level. That’s because state governments in the U.S. largely control their own education policies when it comes to public schools. As a result, a teacher’s first-aid obligations vary by state.
For example, let’s take a quick look at first aid requirements in Missouri.
There’s a specific piece of legislation called “Cade’s Law” requiring each school in the state to have a minimum of three employees who have attended and passed a training session on how to respond when a student with diabetes is having an episode.
A school nurse or another licensed healthcare professional must administer the training, and it’s mandatory for any public school in the state a child with diabetes attends.
Missouri also enacted legislation called “Will’s Law” in 2022. This law requires the school nurse or another designated staff member like a teacher to be trained every two years on how to care for students with epilepsy or other seizure disorders.
You’ll find similar requirements in other states. Some of those legal requirements apply to teachers specifically, too.
For example, let’s take a look at Florida.
Teachers who preside over health-related classes are required by law to hold a bachelor’s degree with either a major in health or 30 semester hours in health. This also includes a valid first aid certificate and a credit in advanced first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Meanwhile, in New York, a basic first aid certificate is a legal requirement for any public school teacher who leads or supports an after-school club or extracurricular activity.
If you’re a teacher or planning to go into teaching, it’s crucial you look up and understand the requirements in your state to ensure your training complies with existing regulations.
Fernandez explains: “Although the legal requirement varies among states, many school districts in the U.S. mandate or at least highly encourage teachers to undergo first aid training to ensure students' safety.”
First Aid Qualifications Most Useful to Teachers
Districts require teachers to demonstrate a range of first aid skills, including what’s advised by medical experts. There are several key qualifications and certifications worth exploring.
Pediatric first aid training
CPR certification
AED certification
In many cases, schools can arrange pediatric first aid courses and certifications from organizations like the American Red Cross that include CPR and AED training.
Fernandez explains: “The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association are excellent places for teachers to acquire first aid training, offering both in-person and online sessions.
"Aside from general first aid, it would significantly benefit teachers to undertake allergy, asthma and anaphylaxis training. This can assist in identifying and promptly dealing with such common issues in the classroom.”
However, according to Derek Bruce, operations director for First Aid at Work Course, certifications in mental health are now equally important to anyone working with young people and are worth teachers pursuing. He explains:
“Acquiring expertise to handle mental health emergencies, especially among adolescents, is now imperative.
"The National Education Association reports a significant rise in student mental health issues. Teachers frequently serve as the first line of defense. Specialized training empowers not only confident emergency response but also nurtures a safer, more supportive learning environment.”
Many higher education institutions and community colleges have useful access courses to obtain certifications in pediatric mental health on a part-time basis.
For example, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay offers a Pediatric Mental Health Certificate designed specifically with teachers, social workers, and school counselors in mind.
Once you obtain first aid certifications like this, you must store that documentation and share it with your employer or any other relevant party. That’s where a platform like Trustworthy can be incredibly helpful.
The Trustworthy Family Operating System® lets you create, store, and share secure digital copies of all your important documents.
For example, after receiving a new first aid certification, you can scan and upload it onto Trustworthy. It’s then protected by AES 256-bit encryption, but you can send access permissions to your employer, union representatives, or anyone else to share and demonstrate that you’ve fulfilled your first aid obligations.
Learn more: Explore Trustworthy’s wide range of features
Frequently Asked Questions
What First Aid Training Do Teachers Need?
Requirements vary by state and district. However, many teachers are required or recommended to have pediatric first aid training, CPR and AED training. Experts advise that all teachers obtain a minimal level of first aid training, regardless of whether it's required.
Do Teachers Have to Learn CPR?
Generally speaking, yes. Some states require teachers to learn CPR, and it’s a requirement in several states for teachers who support extracurricular activities.
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