If you are First Aider at work

[WendyFromTransvisionWamp]

Do you get paid extra?

I started a new job (school) in September and was requested to attend a first aid course which I did last week. Didn’t think anything of it but then my friend said when she was a first aider at her previous work place (also a school), they paid her extra £10 pm on top of her salary.

Being a first aider was not on the job description when I accepted the role.

I did not have a choice. I was told I have to attend the course because I voluntereed to future a school trip abroad.

No, we are all first aid trained in our school and do not get paid any extra.

Both schools I have worked in all staff were trained, it’s part of the job really.

Severed artery 😳😳😳😳 I bloody hope not!!!!

What happened to this person??

Yep, not only that but it took almost an hour for the ambulance to arrive!

He came back to see me, armed with chocolates and flowers almost 3 weeks later, after being released from hospital.

He'd also broken a few ribs and damaged his spleen.

He'd simply tripped over a paving stone and sort of landed over a small wall, but he was quite elderly so it really did some damage.

Most job descriptions have a clause to the effect any other tasks required. It would look poor if you want paid to be a first aider in a school environment where safeguarding is especially important. You’ve not long started. Irrelevant what other employers do. Unsure why it needs monetised when it also enhances your CV and it’s a reasonable ask if you’re going on a school trip.

@Rizzz That was lovely of him but must have been a hell of shock for you both. Thanks for the update.

I’m not trying to monetise it but equally I don’t want to be shortchanged if it was a legal requirement (which it isn’t). I wanted to know how common it is to be paid for being a FA as I had never heard of such of thing happening until my friend mentioned it.

amazed? It’s hardly a lot of money £10-20 once you’ve paid tax and NI on it. I doubt most people would even notice the difference if they weren’t paid it.

Yes it was.

And also

Yes it was! 😁

But having said that, I used to dread first aid calls but after that experience I don't anymore.

I get paid under 1k per month. £20 per month would be a nice perk. I think it’s nice that some companies pay little extra to recognise the responsibility.

I work for local council and don't get paid. Apparently if you do the 3 day course you get paid £10 extra per month. I did the 1 day course, my name is on the wall as a first aider but no extra payment. I sort of regret doing it as dread the responsibility if anything serious happens.

I did tes but we are talking thirty years ago

Blimey. Everyone in my school was a first aider and I am sure none of us were paid more.

I think it depends on the course.

1 day paediatric first aid doesn’t get the payment.

3 day first aid at work does.

No, I've worked in several schools and never heard of any additional payment.

I’m familiar with the requirements and it can be hard to achieve the required number of first aiders to meet what has been determined by risk assessment if you rely on volunteers.

I just think there’s a difference taking on a job or role, or even volunteering for the school trip as OP had done, and being told after you’ve got the job oh by the way you have to be first aid trained and be a first aider. Like I said it’s really not for everyone although I’ve found most people who volunteer do it because it could be useful outside of work, with own family, etc.

Simple solution is to make first aider a mandatory part of a role description, whether voluntary or otherwise, so the expectation is clear before getting the role.

Correct it’s not. The employer has to provide sufficient first aid support, sufficient being based on assessment of need.

I am a work first aid writer but do not have any salary enhancement. However, I volunteered to do the course as it is an invaluable skill.

I did the 3 day course three times during a previous employment as I was the person that was office based in the Company whereas colleagues could be at Client offices or off-site as well as office. I didn't get paid anything extra, wouldn't have expected it. I found it to be a life-skill. After Covid I was only in the office 2-3 times a week so I pushed for everyone to attend an in-house 1 day Emergency First Aid course - with a Central London office and A&E a short cab ride away it made sense for everyone to know a little something.

At our school, first aiders (paediatric) don’t get paid extra. Full first aid at work (adult and paediatric) get £10 extra.

Never got paid any extra to be a first aider, mental heath first aider or fire marshal. But I did get free training in essential skills which in itself is valuable.

I work in a government role and it’s £25 per month our first aiders get paid.

£10pm? What's the point in that?
I was a first aider a while back in a previous job. I can't remember being paid any extra and got constantly called to people who wanted to go home because they weren't feeling well (cold/flu type symptoms) and their manager was too weak to make a decision. I'd attended two days of practising different bandage techniques and the recovery position, not how to work out if people were faking illness. I didn't volunteer again after my training expired.