This document outlines the process a candidate goes through from being recommended for Instructor training from their provider course to becoming an Instructor. It is in the form of a set of frequently asked questions. It should be useful for any candidate recently recommended for Instructor training. If you have any other queries on the process please email GIC@resus.org.uk
 

Question:
I have been recommended for Instructor training from my provider course, what do I need to do now?
 
Answer:
You should have been given an ‘Instructor Course Opt-In Form’ at the end of your provider course. You need to complete this form and send it to the appropriate person as soon as possible.
 
If you want to find a place on an Instructor Course you need to visit the vacancies list on this website. When you find the course that you are interested in, complete the on line place preference form and send it to us as quickly as possible.
 

Question:
Will that guarantee me a place?
 
Answer:
No it will not guarantee a place. Any offer of a place on a Generic Instructor Course (GIC) is subject to confirmation of your Instructor Potential (IP) status. Although you may have sent your Opt-In form to us we have to confirm your IP status from the Provider course report. Centres can take some time before submitting the course reports to the Council. We may be able to provisionally allocate you a place, subject to confirmation of your IP status at a later date.
 
Vacancies are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis so the vacancy list is always changing. That is why we recommend you contact us straight away to see if the places are still available.
 
We will inform you of the outcome of your application as soon as we can.
 

Question:
What happens when I book a place?
 
Answer:
When your place is confirmed, we will forward your details to the course centre who will send you an application form and further details. You then deal directly with the course centre if you have any further queries. It is important for you to secure funding and study leave at this time if you have not already done so. Your place on the course is not confirmed until you have returned the application form to the course centre together with the appropriate course fee.
 

Question:
I cannot attend a GIC at the present time, what happens then?
 
Answer:
The vacancies list on the website is the only way for you to obtain a place on the GIC so when you are able to attend a course, check the vacancies list to see what is available and apply using the on-line place preference form.
 

Question:
What is the time limit for attending a GIC?
 
Answer:
You have four years from the date of your provider course in order to attend and successfully complete the GIC.
 

Question:
Do I have to observe a provider course before attending a GIC?
 
Answer:
No, it is not a requirement, but it is strongly recommended and many candidates have found it helpful to observe a provider course first. You can obtain a list of provider courses and contact details from this website.
 

Question:
What do I have to do when I observe a provider course and what is its benefit?
 
Answer:
You should attend the entire course and be supervised at all times. You should observe the lectures, assist with the skill stations, workshops, simulations (scenarios) and assessments in line with the practices of the provider course and observe the faculty meetings. You will gain some invaluable training experience by joining the faculty of a provider course.
 

Question:
How much does a GIC cost?
 
Answer:
It depends on location, but the cost ranges from £550 – 600. Accommodation, if required, is an additional cost.
 

Question:
Do I have to pay for the course myself?
 
Answer:
Most candidates are funded by their Trust. Very few candidates are self-funded. Unfortunately, we are unable to assist with funding issues.
 

Question:
What does attending a GIC entail?
 
Answer:
The GIC is a 3 day course. You will be required to give a 5 minute lecture, teach part of a skill and run part of a simulation (scenario). You will also be expected to assess a ‘candidate’ performing a skill and a simulation and run a small group session (closed discussion). You need to attend the entire course in order to be considered for a ‘pass’. The course structure is shown in the Course programme.
 

Question:
I’ve been recommended from more than one provider group, do I have to do the GIC more than once?
 
Answer:
Generally, no, you only need to successfully complete one GIC and this can be from any one of the provider groups from which you have been recommended. Only in exceptional circumstances would you be required to complete a further GIC.
 

Question:
I am already an active Instructor for another provider group, what happens then?
 
Answer:
Once we have confirmed that you are an active Instructor for another participating provider group and your status as an IP, you will be able to undertake your teaching practices as an Instructor Candidate (IC). This means you will be required to teach on two provider courses and be assessed by the faculty. As an IC you must attend the entire course and undertake your role as required in line with the practices of the provider course.
 

Question:
What happens if I do not pass the GIC?
 
Answer:
The faculty will make a decision whether or not you should be allowed to attend a further GIC. If they recommend that you re-take the GIC you can attend a further GIC but at you own cost.
 
If they recommend that you should not attend a GIC again you will not be able to attend one unless you re-certify as a Provider and are recommended again from the same provider background. You may attend another GIC if you are recommended from a different provider background or you have been recommended from more than one provider background at the time of taking the original GIC. You would then be allowed to take another GIC as a candidate from the other provider background.
 

Question:
What happens after I successfully complete the GIC?
 
Answer:
You become an ‘Instructor Candidate’ (IC) for your provider group. You have to complete two teaching practices as an IC in order to become a full Instructor. The time limit to complete these teaching practices is 12 months from the date of the GIC although a time extension may be granted in certain circumstances on written request. You may be given ‘named centre(s)’ i.e. directed to certain centres to complete your teaching practices. This is so you can be supported by a member of the faculty from the GIC on the provider course and may mean you returning to the centre where you did the GIC or to a centre nearby.
 
 
 

	© Resuscitation Council (UK)  2010   This page last updated: 1 September 2010