Pre-Hospital Care Qualifications

Qualsafe First Response Emergency Care Level 3 (FREC 3)

Overview

The Qualsafe First Response Emergency Care (Level 3 RQF) is an accredited, regulated and quality assured training course that is recognised throughout the UK. It is the first step within the FREC pathway and is accepted as an entry level qualification to the private ambulance and event medical sector, where you can often work as an Ambulance Urgent Care Assistant (ACA) whilst progressing towards FREC 4 and FREC 5.
As well as this, it is also one of few qualifications that is recognised by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) for licensing Close Protection Officers (CPOs) and others working within executive protection, maritime and private security roles. It has also been endorsed by the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care (FPHC) at PHEM level D, making it widely recognised and useful for securing work within other high risk, remote or first responder type roles.

KEY INFORMATION

5 day course

Valid for 3 years

Minimum age 18

Qualsafe accredited

SIA recognised

Who is it for?

Those wishing to start and/or maintain work in the private ambulance or event medical sector as an Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) or equivalent.

Close Protection Officers (CPOs) and others working within executive protection, maritime or security roles who need to gain and/or maintain their license.

Individuals working within high risk, remote or first responder type roles who need a medical care qualification that is more advanced than standard First Aid at Work. Some examples include: Community First Responders (CFRs), overseas journalists, offshore workers, TV, film and cabin crews, Police and Fire Service, Au Pairs, aid workers and expedition leaders.

What will I be taught?

Roles and responsibilities

Medical emergencies

Airway management

AED usage

Emergency oxygen

Catastrophic bleeding

Poisoning and intoxication

Helmet removal

Environmental exposure

Minor injuries

Anatomy and physiology

Patient assessment

Adult, child and infant CPR

ROSC procedures

Traumatic injuries

Shock

Internal and external bleeding

Immobilisation

Burns and scalds

Incident reporting

How will I be assessed?

Practical assessments
Multiple choice theory exams
Skills tests and continuous assessment
Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a QA Level 3 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (RQF). This qualification is valid for 3 years from date of certification and is part of a progressive suite of pre-hospital care qualifications that lead to the QA Level 5 First Responder in Emergency and Urgent Care (RQF).

Got questions?
Well, we’ve got answers

No. If you are approaching FREC 3 expiry we strongly recommend that you upskill to FREC 4 instead of undertaking another FREC 3 course. This is for a number of reasons. Firstly, unlike FREC 3, FREC 4 does not need refreshing once achieved and so you can save a substantial amount of money over the lifetime of your career. Secondly, upskilling to FREC 4 will enhance the level of medical care you can provide and so can massively increase your career prospects leading to higher paid and more advanced positions.

No. Sadly not. Due to the way this course is accredited, we are unable to offer this online or distance learning.

Yes. This course is recognised by the SIA for licensing purposes.

All training materials such as stationary, notebooks, textbooks, hand-outs and aides are all provided upon your arrival. In terms of attire, please wear comfortable clothing, practical footwear and limit the wearing of excessive jewellery.

Water, tea, coffee and biscuits are provided for each student; however, we are unable to provide lunch and so you will need to make your own lunch arrangements. We do have a kitchenette on site that contains a fridge, kettle, microwave and sink that can be used as well as local amenities that are within a five minute walk.

If you are unsuccessful in passing one of your assessments you will, in the first instance, be provided with detailed feedback from your assessor as to why the relevant assessment criteria were not met on this occasion. You will then receive a support plan with actionable steps to be taken that will enable you to prepare for a reassessment at a later date. Your reassessment date will depend on the specific qualification you are undertaking and so will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

If you wish to cancel your place on our FREC course within 3 weeks of the start date, then please note that you will be unable to receive a refund due to our unlikely ability to be able to replace you prior to course commencement. If, however, you wish to swap with someone else then we will we be able to change the name on the booking for you.