Emergency Care Instructors (ECI)
The New Zealand Resuscitation Council believes all people should have the knowledge and skills to save a life. Emergency Care Instructors (ECIs) help make this possible by teaching first aid using current Australia and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR) guidelines. ANZCOR is a collaboration between the Australian and New Zealand Resuscitation Councils.
ECIs are expected to have up-to-date knowledge and to teach to a high standard. They provide clear, accurate, and practical training.
An emergency care assessment will certify you with subject matter, adult education knowledge and first aid practical skills needed for delivery of first aid training in Aotearoa New Zealand.
ECI Assessment Sessions
ECI sessions are run by Resuscitation Training Advisors (RTAs). RTAs are independent of commercial first aid training providers. This helps make sure teaching and assessment are consistent and based on best practice.
Sessions are small and interactive with a maximum of six participants. As well as your assessment, you will learn from others in the group. You can ask questions, share your experience, and hear how others approach emergency care education. This reflects how people work together in real-life situations.
We currently hold assessments in the following locations:
Auckland
Waikato
Hawke’s Bay
Hutt Valley
Blenheim
Christchurch
Dunedin
On occasions we hold an assessment session in Palmerston North.
Our assessments and pre-reading are based on current resuscitation and first aid science. This science informs the ANZCOR guidelines.
Entry Requirements
All candidates must hold current New Zealand qualifications listed below.
If you have overseas qualifications, you must show they are current and recognised in New Zealand by the relevant professional body and/or NZQA.
Current instructors who are revalidating must provide:
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A New Zealand Resuscitation Council ECI certificate issued within the last 12 months.
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If your ECI certificate has lapsed you must meet one of the entry criteria for new candidates.
New candidates must provide one of the following:
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A current (within four years) Pre-Hospital Emergency Care (PHEC) certificate (Unit Standard 29321), and:
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Unit Standard 29322: Emergency Response Systems in New Zealand
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Unit Standard 29324: Use of common medications in emergency care
or
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New Zealand Certificate in Emergency Care (First Responder)
or
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A health professional qualification approved by the New Zealand Resuscitation Council
Pre-reading
The pre-reading requirements for the NZ Resuscitation Council ECI assessments are:
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ANZCOR Guidelines (Guideline 2 – 9.5.2), including:
Please allow enough time to read all material. If you have questions, please contact us.
Assessment
The ECI assessment includes both written and practical components:
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Written assessment: the written assessment is based on the prereading. It is made up of fifty multi-choice questions.
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Practical assessment: this will include:
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Adult collapse
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AED use
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Child or infant collapse
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Other life-threatening conditions
To pass, you must get at least 80% in the written assessment and pass all practical components.
You will also need to agree to the Instructor Code of Conduct before you receive your certificate.
If you pass, you can use the title:
“NZ Resuscitation Council Approved New Zealand Emergency Care Instructor” on certificates you issue so long as your ECI certificate with us is current.
If you do not pass part of the assessment, you have up to six months to resit that part.
Maintaining Your Certification
Your ECI certificate is valid for one year.
You should book a recertification assessment before it expires. If your certificate expires, you will need to meet the entry requirements again.
You do not need to be an NZQA-accredited provider to sit the assessment. However, you do need an ECI certificate to deliver NZQA first aid unit standards.
For more information, see NZQA Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR 0230).
Fees and Bookings
The assessment fee is $258.75 (incl. GST)
An Education Grant is available for learners who identify as Māori or Pacific Peoples. To learn more about this grant, click here.
Book an Assessment
Sessions run with two to six participants.
Before booking, check that you meet the entry requirements and have read the terms and conditions.
View available sessions and book online here.
