Criterion HS216 #

There is an educator present at all times while children are attending, who: 

• holds a current first aid qualification gained from a New Zealand Qualification Authority accredited first aid training provider; or
• is a registered medical practitioner, nurse or midwife with a current practising certificate; or
• is a qualified ambulance officer or paramedic.

If access to first aid training is limited due to circumstances beyond the service provider’s control, the service provider must ensure that educators have knowledge of first aid and gain a first aid qualification within 4 months of starting work at the service.

If a child is injured, any required first aid is administered or supervised by an adult meeting these requirements.

Documentation required (written or digital) #

1. Copies of current first aid (or medical practising) certificates counting towards this requirement.
2. Where access to first aid training for an educator is limited, a record of the actions taken by the service provider to ensure the educator has knowledge of first aid and achieves a first aid qualification within 4 months of starting work at the service.

Guidance#

How to show you are complying #

First aid qualifications

There must be an educator always present while children are attending who holds a current first aid qualification or equivalent. 

Unit standard 6401 – Provide first aid and unit standard 6402 – Provide resuscitation level 2. 

To be valid, they must have received the qualification(s) by a New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) accredited provider. 

Keeping first aid qualifications ‘current’

The qualifications remain ‘current’ and up to date for two years. To extend the qualification for another two years, a first aid qualification course, or a revalidation course run by an accredited provider must be completed. It’s a good idea to track all educators’ certificate expiry dates and remind them at least 6 weeks out to ensure they do not expire.  

If access to first aid training is limited due to circumstances beyond the service provider’s control, the service provider must ensure that educators have knowledge of first aid and gain a first aid qualification within 4 months of starting work at the service. Where access to first aid training is limited, the service provider must record their decision to apply the condition, including:

• their assessment of the educator’s interim first aid knowledge and
• the date of booked first aid training.

There is a template you can use to record the required information in the tools to help you comply section.

If an educator is a qualified and practising medical practitioner, nurse or midwife, they can also count towards the requirement if they hold a current practising certificate. See the tools to help you comply section for links to the relevant registers.  

Likewise, if educators are qualified ambulance officers and paramedics, these qualifications can also be counted towards HS216. 

• Qualified ambulance officers must hold a New Zealand Certificate in Emergency Medical Services – First responder or equivalent (Level 3 or 4 on the NZQA credentials framework).
• Qualified ambulance officers must hold a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Paramedicine) or equivalent (Level 7 on the NZQA credentials framework).

Documentation requirements 

You must keep copies of current first aid (or medical practising) certificates held by adults counting towards this requirement.