HABC Level 2 Award in Basic Life

Support and Safe Use of an

Automated External Defibrillator

(RQF)

Qualification Number: 601/8280/5

Qualification Specification

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Highfield House

Heavens Walk

Lakeside

Doncaster

South Yorkshire

DN4 5HZ

United Kingdom

Tel +44 08452260350

Tel +44 01302363277

Fax +44 08452260360

Info@highfieldabc.com

www.highfieldabc.com

Version 1.2 July 2016

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Contents

Introduction 3

Qualification Details 3

Key Facts 3

Qualification Overview and Objective 3

Entry Requirements 3

Qualification Structure 4

Delivery/Assessment Ratios 4

Guidance on Delivery 4

Guidance on Assessment 4

Guidance on Quality Assurance 5

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) 5

Centre Requirements 5

Geographical Coverage 6

Tutor Requirements 6

Assessor Requirements 6

Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) Requirements 7

Countersigning Strategy 7

Mapping to National Occupational Standards (NOS) 7

Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations 7

ID Requirements 8

Progression 8

Useful Websites 8

Recommended Training Materials 8

Appendix 1: Rules of Combination 9

Appendix 2: All Units 10

Appendix 3: Sample Assessment Material 12

Appendix 4: Acceptable Teaching/Training Qualifications 13

Appendix 5: Acceptable Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications 14

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HABC Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support and Safe Use of an Automated

External Defibrillator (RQF)

Introduction This qualification specification is designed to outline all you need to know to offer this qualification at

your Centre. If you have any further questions, please contact your HABC account manager.

Qualification details The HABC Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support and Safe Use of an Automated External Defibrillator

(RQF) has been accredited by the regulators of England and Wales (Ofqual and Qualifications Wales)

and is part of the Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF).

The qualification is also supported by Skills for Health, the sector skills council for health.

Key facts

Qualification Number: 601/8280/5

Learning Aim Reference: 60182805

Credit Value: 1

Assessment Method: Practical demonstration and written/oral questioning

Total Qualification Time (TQT): 5

Contact Hours 4

Qualification overview and objective This qualification is designed for those learners wishing to take further training or to develop their

knowledge and/or skills in this subject area. It is recommended for first-aiders in the workplace

environment who have access to a defibrillator.

Learners gaining this qualification will know that cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated

external defibrillation form an essential part of the chain of survival. The topics covered are

regarded by Skills for Health as being important in maintaining good practice in the safe, prompt

and effective administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external

defibrillation.

The qualification means learners should be able to safely and effectively use an automated

external defibrillation machine. In line with industry guidance, after 3 years it is recommended

that they sit the course again.

Entry requirements To register for this qualification, learners are required to meet the following entry requirements:

• There is no specific age restrictions for this qualification. Centres are to assess the

suitability of learners, ensuring that they are able to effectively perform CPR prior to

registration; and

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• It is also advised that learners have a minimum of level 1 literacy and numeracy.

Qualification structure This qualification structure consists of one mandatory unit, which learners must complete

successfully to achieve the qualification:

• Basic Life Support and Using an Automated External Defibrillator

Full details relating to the rules of combination for this qualification can be found in Appendix 1,

and the unit content can be found in Appendix 2 of this specification.

Delivery/assessment ratios To effectively deliver and assess this qualification, Centres are recommended not to exceed the

ratio of 1 qualified tutor/assessor to 12 learners in any one instance. If Centres wish to increase

this ratio, they must first request approval from HABC.

Guidance on delivery The qualification has a minimum TQT value of 5 hours, however it has been agreed with the HSE

that the qualification has a minimum contact time of 4 hours. Courses are likely to run over a

period of a half day or 1 day, depending on the course design by the centre.

The HSE requirements also state that this qualification may also be delivered over a maximum of a

3-week period, with the minimum duration of each training session being 2 hours.

Guidance on assessment HABC has worked with subject matter experts in first aid to develop a robust and streamlined

assessment (the paperwork is available from the HABC Download Area), which includes:

1] Practical observation

The practical assessment of learners for the qualification is completed throughout the course

delivery. This ongoing assessment will involve learners demonstrating practical first-aid skills

across a number of areas. The recording of the assessment will be via the HABC BLS&AED

Assessment Pack – Practical.

2] Written/oral questioning

Learners are required to answer a series of questions ensuring their understanding of the theory

content is sufficient to meet the required standard. Oral questioning can be used to extract

further information for these questions during the practical assessments, with the tutor

documenting the responses, or when needing to supplement learners’ written responses,

according to individual learners’ needs. The recording of assessment will be via the HABC

BLS&AED Assessment Pack – Theory.

A full explanation of their usage is provided in the Tutor, Assessor and Internal Quality Assurance

Pack, available to download from the HABC Members’ Area. While it is not mandatory to use any

of the aforementioned HABC assessment paperwork, centres wishing to use an alternative must

seek prior approval from the HABC External Quality Support (EQS) team. The qualification means

learners should be able to safely and effectively use an automated external defibrillation

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machine. In line with industry guidance, after 3 years it is recommended that they sit the course

again.

Guidance on quality assurance HABC requires Centres to have in place a robust mechanism for internal quality assurance. Internal

quality assurance must be completed by an appropriately qualified person and that person must

not have been involved in any aspect of the delivery or assessment of the course they are quality

assuring.

Internal quality assurance should monitor both the delivery and assessment of the qualification and

can involve a number of different methods of monitoring, e.g. observation of the course

delivery/assessment, sampling of the course assessment material, interviews with learners etc.

Once complete, this assessment paperwork and internal quality assurance paperwork must be

stored by the Centre for a minimum period of 3 years to allow for quality assurance checks.

HABC is required to externally quality assure the qualification, and support Centres in the

implementation and management of the award. HABC will support Centres with external quality

assurance via a Centre engagement visit and desk-based review.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) Centres may apply to use recognition of prior learning or prior achievement to reduce the amount

of time spent in preparing the learner for assessment. For example, the basic life support

components of the Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work qualifications may be happed

to the basic life support component of this qualification to reduce teaching time.

For further information on how centres can apply to use RPL as described above, please refer to the

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy in the members’ area of the HABC website. This policy

should be read in conjunction with this specification and all other relevant HABC documentation.

Centre requirements To effectively deliver this qualification, Centres must have the following resources in place:

• One training defibrillator available for every 4 learners;

• Resuscitation manikins, at a minimum ratio of 1 manikin for every 4 learners;

• Sufficient procedures must be in place to ensure hygiene during the use of resuscitation

manikins and other training equipment;

• Sufficient audio visual equipment and training aids should be available to facilitate

learning using a variety of teaching methods;

Training rooms that have carpeted floors or mats/blankets provided, for use during

practical sessions; and

• Training rooms must meet acceptable health and safety standards and be conducive to

learning. They should be large enough and have sufficient seating, writing surfaces, toilet

facilities, ventilation, lighting, heating, access and exits. They should also be clean and

hygienic, and there should be no distracting noises.

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Geographical coverage These qualifications are suitable for learners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Tutor requirements HABC require nominated tutors for this qualification to meet the following three requirements:

1. Occupational knowledge and competence in first aid* - evidenced by holding a first aid at

work/medical qualification as detailed below:

• Holding a current first aid at work certificate (issued by an Ofqual/SQA/Qualifications Wales

recognised awarding organisation, a HSE approved training provider or a recognised

equivalent*);

• Holding a current Offshore First Aid Certificate issued by a HSE approved training provider;

• Current registration as a doctor with the General Medical Council (GMC);

• Current registration as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC); or

• Current registration as a paramedic with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

2. Knowledge and competency in teaching/training first aid - evidenced by holding an acceptable

teaching/training qualification as detailed in Appendix 4.

3. Knowledge and understanding of how to safely and effectively use an automated external

defibrillation (AED) machine.

*recognised first aid at work certificate equivalents that are not listed above must be submitted to

HABC with a comprehensive mapping. Please speak to your HABC account manager for further

information.

Assessor requirements HABC require nominated assessors for this qualification to meet the following three requirements:

1. Occupational knowledge and competence in first aid* - evidenced by holding a first aid at

work/medical qualification as detailed below:

• Holding a current first aid at work certificate (issued by an Ofqual/SQA/Qualifications Wales

recognised awarding organisation, a HSE approved training provider or recognised

equivalent*);

• Holding a current offshore first aid certificate issued by a HSE approved training provider;

• Current registration as a doctor with the General Medical Council (GMC);

• Current registration as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC); or

• Current registration as a paramedic with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

2. Knowledge and understanding of assessing first aid - evidenced by holding an acceptable

qualification as detailed in Appendix 4.

3. Knowledge and understanding of how to safely and effectively use an automated external

defibrillation (AED) machine.

*recognised first aid at work certificate equivalents that are not listed above must be submitted to

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HABC with a comprehensive mapping. Please speak to your HABC account manager for further

information.

Internal quality assurance (IQA) requirements HABC requires those responsible for internal quality assurance of this qualification to meet the

following three requirements:

1. Occupational knowledge and competence in first aid* - evidenced by holding a first aid at

work/medical qualification as detailed below:

• Holding a current first aid at work certificate (issued by an Ofqual/SQA/Qualifications

Wales recognised awarding organisation, a HSE approved training provider or recognised

equivalent*);

• Holding a current offshore first aid certificate issued by a HSE approved training provider;

• Current registration as a doctor with the General Medical Council (GMC);

• Current registration as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC); or

• Current registration as a paramedic with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

2. Knowledge and understanding of assessing and internally quality assuring first aid - evidenced by

holding an acceptable qualification as detailed in Appendix 5.

3. Knowledge and understanding of how to safely and effectively use an automated external

Defibrillation (AED) machine.

*recognised first aid at work certificate equivalents that are not listed above must be submitted to

HABC with a comprehensive mapping. Please speak to your HABC account manager for further

information.

Countersigning strategy While it is a minimum requirement for Centres to have the appropriately qualified workforce in

place, it is understood that Centres may have new personnel that are working towards those

requirements. During this period, Centres are required to have a robust countersigning strategy in

place that supports and validates unqualified assessment/quality assurance decisions, until the

point where they meet the requirements as detailed above.

Mapping to National Occupational Standards (NOS) This qualification maps to the following National Occupational Standards (NOS):

• SFHCH36 and SFHEC18

Reasonable adjustments and special considerations HABC have measures in place for learners who require additional support. Please refer to the HABC

Reasonable Adjustments Policy for further information/guidance.

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ID requirements It is the responsibility of the Centre to have systems in place to ensure that the person taking an

assessment is indeed the person they are claiming to be. All Centres are therefore required to

ensure that each learner’s identification is checked before they undertake the assessment. HABC

recommend the following as proof of a learner’s identity:

• valid passport (any nationality);

• signed UK photocard driving licence;

• valid warrant card issued by HM Forces, the police; or

• another photographic ID card, e.g. employee ID card, student ID card or travel card.

In the event that a learner is unable to produce any of the forms of photographic identification

listed above, a Centre may accept another form of identification containing a signature, for

example, a credit card. Identification by a third-party representative, such as a line manager, human

resources manager or invigilator, will also be accepted.

For more information on learner ID requirements, please refer to the HABC Core Manual.

Progression Upon the successful completion of this qualification, learners may wish to continue their

development via the completion of any of the following signposted qualifications/training:

• HABC Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (QCF);

• HABC Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid (QCF);

• HABC Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (QCF);

• HABC Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (QCF); and

• HABC Level 3 Award in First Aid Response.

Useful websites

• Health and Safety Executive www.hse.gov.uk

• Skills for Health www.skillsforhealth.org.uk

• Skills for Care and Development www.skillsforcareanddevelopment.org.uk

• The Resuscitation Council (UK) www.resus.org.uk

• Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation www.ofqual.gov.uk

Recommended training materials The following resources have been reviewed by HABC and are recommended training materials

for users of this qualification:

• Morley, J. & Sprenger, C. (2016) BLS and AED Handbook. Highfield International

• Morley, J. & Sprenger, C. (2016) BLS and AED PowerPoint. Highfield International

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Appendix 1: Rules of Combination

To complete the HABC Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support and Safe Use of an Automated External

Defibrillator (RQF), learners must achieve the following mandatory unit:

Mandatory Group

Unit

reference Unit Title Level Credit

L/507/9966 Basic Life Support and Using an Automated External

Defibrillator 2 1

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Appendix 2: All Units

Unit 1: Basic Life Support and Using an Automated External Defibrillator

Unit number: L/507/9966

Credit: 1

GLH: 4

Level: 2

Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria

The learner will The learner can

1. Be able to manage an

unresponsive casualty who is

breathing normally.

1.1 Assess the scene for danger

1.2 Assess a casualty’s level of consciousness

1.3 Demonstrate how to open a casualty’s airway and

check for breathing

1.4 Demonstrate how to place an unresponsive

casualty in the recovery position

2. Be able to manage an

unresponsive casualty who is not

breathing normally.

2.1 Recognise the need to commence

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

2.2 Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a

manikin

3. Know how to safely use an

automated external defibrillator.

3.1 Identify safety considerations when using an

automated external defibrillator

3.2 List differences in the procedure when using an

automated external defibrillator on a child

4. Be able to safely use an

automated external defibrillator.

4.1 Demonstrate the correct placement of AED

electrode pads on a manikin

4.2 Follow AED voice prompts accurately

4.3 Demonstrate how to combine the use of an

automated external defibrillator with minimal

interruptions in cardiopulmonary resuscitation

using a manikin

4.4 Demonstrate the safe delivery of AED shock

4.5 State the procedures if the casualty shows signs of

life and starts to breathe normally

4.6 Identify the information required when handing

over the casualty

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Additional Assessment Guidance/Requirements

This section of the specification provides further details on any additional assessment

guidance/requirement to consistently provide valid, reliable and comparable assessments.

The assessment for this unit can be completed via simulation.

The assessment of this unit must include both practical demonstration/assignment and oral

examination.

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Appendix 3: Sample Assessment Material

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Appendix 4: Acceptable Teaching/Training Qualifications

The following list provides details of qualification required to undertake the role of a trainer:

Qualification Train Assess **

Cert Ed/PGCE/B Ed/M Ed � �

CTLLS/DTLLS � �

PTLLS with unit ‘Principles and Practice of Assessment’ (12 credits) � �

Further and Adult Education Teacher’s Certificate � �

IHCD Instructional Methods � �

IHCD Instructor Certificate � �

S/NVQ Level 3 in Training and Development � �

S/NVQ Level 4 in Training and Development � �

TQFE (Teaching Qualification for Further Education) � �

English National Board 998 � �

Nursing mentorship qualifications � �

NOCN Tutor Assessor Award � �

Level 3 Award in Education and Training (QCF) � �

Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (QCF) � �

Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (QCF) � �

PTLLS (6 credits) �

Accredited Qualifications based on the Learning and Development NOS 7 Facilitate

Individual Learning and Development �

Training Group A22, B22, C21, C23, C24 �

SQA Accredited Planning and Delivering Learning Sessions to Groups �

A1 (D32/33) – Assess candidates using a range of methods �

A2 (D32) – Assess candidates’ performance through observation �

Regulated Qualifications based on the Learning and Development NOS 9 Assess

Learner Achievement �

SQA Accredited Learning and Development Unit 9DI – Assess workplace competences

using direct and indirect methods – replacing Units A1 and D32/33 �

SQA Accredited Learning and Development Unit 9D – Assess workplace competence

using direct methods – replacing Units A2 and D32 �

SQA Carry out the Assessment Process �

Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment (QCF) �

Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement (QCF) �

Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment (QCF) �

Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (QCF) �

**Assessors who do not hold a formal assessing qualification may alternatively attend First Aid Assessor CPD

Training with a recognised awarding organisation.

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Appendix 5: Acceptable Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications

This list is not exhaustive but provides a guide to acceptable IQA qualifications:

Qualification IQA*

V1 or D34 �

Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice

(QCF) �

Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes

and Practice (QCF) �

Regulated Qualifications based on the Learning and Development NOS 11 Internally

Monitor and Maintain the Quality of Assessment �

SQA Accredited Learning and Development Unit 11 Internally Monitor and Maintain

the Quality of Workplace Assessment �

SQA Internally Verify the Assessment Process �

* IQAs who do not hold a formal IQA qualification may alternatively attend Internal Quality Assurance

CPD Training with a recognised awarding organisation.