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CPR-trained Instructor Saves a Roomate's Life It was 3 a.m. when Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED instructor Phil Herrera heard his roommate gasping for breath in the grip of a severe asthma attack. He called 911, then, as she fought for air, he began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Read More...

You are a valued partner of the American Red Cross! 
Red Cross Authorized Providers are a valued part of our organization, helping to fulfill the mission of the American Red Cross to help people in our community to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

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Overview of the Red Cross Authorized Provider Program and Agreement

1. The Role of the Red Cross Authorized Provider
2. Red Cross Responsibilities to the Authorized Provider
3. Authorized Provider's Responsibilities
4. Instructor Support
5. Certification and Authorization
6. Teaching in another Chapter’s Jurisdiction
7. Supporting Instructor Development
8. Selecting the Right Instructor Candidate
9. Supporting Instructor Trainer Development
10. Quality Assurance
11. If a Problem Occurs
12. Who Instructors Can Teach

Resources and Documents for Authorized Providers

The Role of the Red Cross Authorized Provider
Through the Authorized Provider Agreement, you have agreed to provide American Red Cross instructional programs in accordance with that program’s standards and objectives. The Authorized Provider Agreement outlines the mutual expectations, rights and responsibilities of both the Red Cross chapter and the authorized provider.

Following the guidelines in this document:

• Ensures the integrity of American Red Cross programs
• Protects all parties involved—the authorized provider, the Red Cross, and the instructor
• Outlines in writing how business will be conduced with the Red Cross

Red Cross Responsibilities to the Authorized Provider
To assist authorized providers in offering quality training, the Red Cross is committed to providing:

• The finest programs based on research and input from our customers
• Proper train your instructors
• Open communications with you
• Information you need to offer quality training as well as meet your training responsibilities
• Services to you at a fair price, based on value
• American Red Cross course completion certificates in a timely manner
• Timely updates and information for instructors
• Technical assistance for instructors
• A quality assurance program
• Flyers, brochures, posters and other course promotional materials produced by national headquarters 

In addition, the Red Cross will:

• Ensure the quality of the program through ongoing evaluations and program development
• Designate an individual to serve as your primary contact
• Maintain your instructors' records
• Reauthorize your instructors who meet the criteria
• Maintain course records for five years
• Develop course curriculum and materials
• Adhere to the terms of the Authorized Provider Agreement
• Allow you to use the Red Cross name and emblem in promotion of Red Cross instructional programs (in strict accordance with Red Cross policies and procedures)

Authorized Provider's Responsibilities
Authorized Provider responsibilities are outlined in the Authorized Provider Agreement such as:

• A designated individual be the primary contact to the Red Cross
• Only qualified individuals can be considered as instructor candidates
• Submission of completed records and reports in the designated time frames
• The Red Cross be informed of changes in an instructor's status
• The instructors' adherence to Red Cross policies and procedures
• The copyrighted materials, name and emblem of the American Red Cross be respected
• Assistance with the Red Cross in resolving issues that may arise with instructors
• A safe environment suitable for program delivery be maintained
• Open communications with the Red Cross
• Adherence to the terms of the Authorized Provider Agreement
• Course participants must be informed that the training is an American Red Cross course and shown visual Red Cross identification during the training

Instructor Support
Successful training depends largely on the quality of the instructor. Both the American Red Cross and you have an obligation to support your instructor(s) in providing the best training possible.

In accordance with the Authorized Provider Agreement, the Red Cross will provide the following:

• Quality instructor training
• Effective evaluation
• Information on updates and program revisions
• Opportunities to volunteer for the American Red Cross
• Professional skill development opportunities by offering periodic instructor upgrades, instructor in-services, additional instructor specialty courses and co-teaching opportunities.
• Make available the proper materials and equipment needed to conduct training

Certification and Authorization
An instructor candidate will become certified when he or she successfully completes all requirements for the instructor specialty course. The candidate's signature on the Instructor Certificate indicates his or her willingness to conduct courses according to the requirements and procedures established by the American Red Cross.
Certified instructors may only teach once they have received authorization. To obtain authorization to teach, the instructor should call (303) 722-7474 or email AP@denver-redcross.org.
The chapter that initially authorizes an instructor to teach is the instructor's unit of authorization (home chapter). The instructor's unit of authorization is responsible for providing the instructor with information on chapter-specific policies and procedures and for re-authorization of the instructor.

The American Red Cross is a leading provider of water safety training, mostly taught by authorized providers of American Red Cross classes.

Teaching in another Chapter’s Jurisdiction
If an instructor wants to teach in another chapter's jurisdiction, he or she must notify first and obtain extended authorization from that chapter. If an instructor teaches in another jurisdiction, it is his or her responsibility to provide copies of the Course Record to his or her unit of authorization.

Supporting Instructor Development
As a collaborator with the American Red Cross, your organization can help identify potential instructor candidates. The benefits to you include the ability to encourage instructor development and the opportunity to strengthen your ability to offer training to your constituencies.

Selecting the Right Instructor Candidate
To ensure the quality of American Red Cross Health and Safety Services training programs, these are some characteristics to consider:

• An excellent communicator and educator
• Knowledgeable about the subject taught
• Positive and enthusiastic attitude
• Patient and flexible
• Professional demeanor
• A commitment to teaching

Supporting Instructor Trainer Development
An instructor trainer candidate (ITC) is an experienced Red Cross instructor who has entered into training to become an instructor trainer (IT). Instructor trainers are authorized by local Red Cross chapters to conduct instructor courses and train new instructors. If your organization is interested in developing an instructor trainer for your organization, please contact us at (303) 722-7474 or email AP@denver-redcross.org.

Quality Assurance
Quality assurance in American Red Cross Health and Safety Services programs is the responsibility of all parties:

• The American Red Cross Mile High Chapter
• The authorized provider
• The instructor

You can help to maintain this high quality by using the following strategies:

• Choose the right individuals to become instructors
• Support instructors' compliance with Red Cross policies and procedures by making sure they have the proper equipment, space and time to conduct the training
• Encourage instructors available to take advantage of additional training as necessary
• Review, take action and monitor the information received from the course evaluation forms
• Observe instructors when they teach
• Encourage instructors to co-teach with other Red Cross trained instructors
• The Red Cross will also support you with its quality assurance efforts and ensures its training standards are maintained.

These include:

• Providing high quality instructor training
• Establishing and explaining all national and local policies, regulations and procedures that relate to the instructor's responsibilities including the Instructor Agreement
• Making co-teaching opportunities available to instructors
• Monitoring of Course Record forms and other reporting forms for potential problems
• Evaluating courses randomly by either surveying or observing the teaching of instructors
• Providing technical support to instructors

If a Problem Occurs
If a problem is minor, the Red Cross will try to deal directly with the instructor to resolve the issue. Most situations can be handled effectively with counseling.
Occasionally issues arise that may need further intervention. The basic steps for dealing with larger issues are:

Identifying the problem
Counseling the instructor
Providing remediation, if needed, such as co-teaching, teaching under observation or retraining
Monitoring the instructor
Continuing counseling, remediation and monitoring as necessary
In severe cases, the American Red Cross has the right to suspend an instructor's authorization.

Who Instructors Can Teach
The instructor, as an employee or volunteer for the authorized provider, may provide training using Red Cross courses to the authorized provider's employees, members and/or customers.

The American Red Cross is available to provide support and information for Authorized Providers whenever needed.  If you have questions or require assistance please contact your AP representative at the Mile High Chapter office, at ap@denver-redcross.org.