Like any other jobs, your experience as a first aid volunteer can be a good entry for your CV. Monetary compensation might not be available. But you’ll develop life-saving skills in the process. And you’ll certainly feel satisfied with the difference and contribution you’ve made to the community.
To become a volunteer first aider, you might be required to take a first aid course first. The insights in this post might also help you get started.
Think about how your volunteer work will align with your future career.
Are you currently trying to finish your bachelor’s degree? Are you a fresh graduate?
If you answered yes to these two questions, volunteer work might be the career head start you need. This is a CV-worthy experience that’s going to speak a lot about your character and advocacies. Just be sure that your experience is aligned with your career goals, specifically as it relates to skill building and network.
If you’re a nurse, a first aid volunteer work can equip you with the character and technical skills you might need to thrive in the hospital or healthcare facility.
If you’re taking up a degree in criminology, your work as a first aider can help you respond to health emergencies during law enforcement activities and trials.
If you’re planning to start a career in social work, your volunteer experience can help you to give health and safety services to the community, on top of your regular social work responsibilities.
Career alignment is a major consideration when looking for volunteer opportunities. But as a first aider, you can basically use your skill in almost any industry.
Set what skills you like to develop.
Many organisations offer first aiders with a wealth of options when it comes to the skills they want to focus on. Others offer exposure and training to basic first aid procedures, while others give advanced instruction.
Think about your future career when deciding on the skills you like to develop. If you’re not sure what to focus yet, consider learning the following basic ones:
- Cardiac arrest response
- First aid for bleeding
- Treating burns and blisters
- Help people with fractures, sprains, and strains
- Respond to and treat nosebleed
- Help patients recover from frostbite
- Administer first aid for bee and jellyfish stings
- Perform a CPR
- Use AED
- Perform the Heimlich Manoeuvre
Seek guidance on what organisations to work with.
Explore your options before deciding which organisation to volunteer with. As you would when seeking paid work, know if the organisation offers the following:
- Training, seminars, and options to take a first aid course
- Culture fit
- Positive environment and supportive people
- Sense of purpose
- Community advocacies
- Company performance and reporting to stakeholders
- Relevance to your chosen career
- Opportunities for networking
Yes, you might not get paid. But make sure that you’ll learn lucrative skills from your experience. Once you find the perfect organisation to join, contact them for the requirements and qualifying process.
Know the volunteer work options you have.
First aid response actually has a wide scope that will give you different learning opportunities. Most organisations offer the following options to volunteers:
- Youth Program – This option usually gives leadership training to the youth, helping them develop first aid skills needed to keep their loved ones safe.
- Rehabilitation Facilities – An option that immerses volunteers in different rehab facilities, which may be part of the restorative justice or mental health program.
- Healthcare Centres – The perfect option for those planning to start a career in the medical or healthcare field.
- Community Events – In this option, volunteers are tasked to man the health and emergency booth during concerts, festivals, sporting events, and charity activities.
- Emergency Response – Volunteers in the emergency response team usually get involved in disaster services and cases from hotline callers.
Working as a first aid volunteer can be a great experience. It might not be a lucrative option. But it can set your pace toward your chosen career. And it equips you with life-saving skills you can use even in daily life to save your loved ones.
Enjoy the opportunities working as a first aider can give. Take a first aid course to get started.
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