SETTING
STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS FOR NEW PROGRAMS
GENERAL
1. Standards and protocols for training and service delivery have been established to
meet the goals of maintaining and improving the quality of community service while
ensuring that all programs being delivered are of the highest possible quality. An
integral part of meeting the needs of the community is the ongoing development of new
training and service delivery programs and continuing evaluation through regular
monitoring of the programs and their implementation.
2. St. John Ambulance’s responsibility is to provide competent community service
to the people in the communities we serve. Only by ensuring that Brigade members receive
the highest level of training and assessment can this be assured.
3. New programs must reflect the development of services ensuring uniform standards of
training and service delivery throughout the Brigade in Canada. They must set out the
minimal guidelines and expectations for the Brigade members’ level of service in
keeping with the expectations of the communities they serve.
4. New programs may be developed either as a Brigade Specialized Training Module (see
StJCI 2-4) or as a new community care service, outside of patient care services. They must
be developed only as the needs of the community dictate to provide the level of care or
service required for specific community services.
REGISTERING NEW PROGRAMS
5. The St. John Ambulance name and logo immediately lend credibility and legitimacy
to any program or service offered to the public. Every program bearing the St. John
Ambulance name or logo must be legitimized through registration with either National
Headquarters or Provincial/Territorial Headquarters (see paragraphs 8 and 9). New programs
not appropriately registered run the risk of having the St. John Ambulance name and logo
removed from them.
6. Training and service delivery standards for new programs must be submitted in
writing with the following applicable supporting documents:
a. course objectives;
b. target group;
c. needs assessment that has been completed (see StJCI 2-7-1);
d. course content and standards;
e. prerequisites;
f. reference materials; and
g. assessment criteria and evaluation process.
7. Training and service delivery standards for new programs may be based upon readily
available materials and recognized published certification criteria.
8. New community service programs being adopted by only one or two Councils must be
approved through the Provincial/Territorial process set up for this purpose, and the
Provincial/Territorial Professional Advisory Committee, if applicable, where one exists.
9. Before any new community service program can be adopted nationally, it must be
approved by the National Training Officer, who is responsible for ensuring the
program’s standards are reviewed and submitted to the National Professional Advisory
Committee (PAC) for additional review, if applicable. A new program must be adopted for
use by at least three Councils to be considered a National program.
10. Insurance coverage of community service programs and their participants will be
arranged only after appropriate approval (Provincial/Territorial or National) has been
given. If the program is within only one or two Councils, confirmation of
Provincial/Territorial approval must be sent immediately by the appropriate Council(s), in
writing, to the Director of Volunteer Support at National Headquarters so that adequate
insurance coverage can be arranged.
PREREQUISITES
11. To ensure consistency in training and prerequisites, members must complete any
pre-course materials identified for the program. This is to ensure the member has obtained
the minimal level of skills and knowledge required to take part in any specialized
training.
12. To be eligible to attend instruction in the use of specialized patient care
equipment or techniques, members must be at least sixteen years of age and be currently
certified to at least BTS Level 1 (see StJCI 2-4).
ROLE OF THE TRAINING OFFICER
13. Training Officers must ensure that suitably qualified instructors are used for
training in all St. John Ambulance programs. The members must have the opportunity to
practise their skills to make the program effective and beneficial to both the member and
the community in which they are expected to perform their skills.
14. The Divisional Training Officer (DTO) or equivalent is responsible for arranging
appropriate instructors and evaluators for their respective units, and to ensure all
remedial requirements are undertaken.
ROLE OF THE INSTRUCTOR
15. The Instructor is responsible for assisting the member through the most effective
use of the course materials and the creation of an atmosphere that is conducive to
learning. Comprehensive course materials, the willingness of the member to learn and the
competency of the instructor are the ingredients required to make learning a valuable and
effective experience.
16. To be certified in the specific use of specialized equipment or techniques, or
to deliver a new community service, members must undergo an evaluation process that
follows the standards laid out in the program. The standards to be followed when
conducting an evaluation must contain the standards in the reference material provided for
the program and should include a thorough review of the training standards, review of
administrative procedures and paperwork, both theoretical and practical assessments of
skills, and remedial work for areas of weakness.
