The shortage of professionals trained in CPR is a major problem that affects us all. Many people lack the knowledge to perform CPR, and this problem calls for action.
However, the path to a CPR instructor career can be a little tough to navigate. But don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.
Follow our guide to learn how to become a CPR instructor, including what exactly they do and how much they earn.
An Overview of CPR Instructors: A Primer
A CPR instructor is a professional who teaches individuals or groups how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
It’s a life-saving procedure performed during emergencies, particularly when the heart stops beating.
CPR is the act of providing oxygenated blood to the heart and brain by giving chest compressions and periodic breaths to a victim in cardiac arrest.
CPR instructors fall under the umbrella profession of basic life support (BLS) instructors. They train individuals to perform life-saving techniques, such as first aid, defibrillation, and advanced cardiovascular care.
As a CPR instructor, you can train candidates entering the medical field or those training to work at daycare centers, swimming pools, sports care facilities, community centers, workplaces, etc.
Some common job duties of a CPR instructor/BLS instructor include:
- Creating training and instructional materials for CPR courses
- Giving demonstrations of CPR and other BLS techniques
- Teaching CPR procedures, including chest compressions
- Coordinating practice sessions for students to hone their CPR skills
- Monitoring and evaluating students’ performance
- Staying updated with the latest CPR guidelines and best practices, as mentioned in the BLS instructor manual
How Much Do CPR Instructors Make?
According to Zippia, the average salary of a CPR instructor is about $66,840 per year, which equals $32 per hour. The data indicates the top 10 percent of CPR instructors in the US make over $112,000 a year.
Salaries can vary depending on the location, department, level of education, certifications, and additional skills.
What You’ll Need to Become a CPR Instructor [& Associated Costs]
If you have a passion for teaching and are committed to saving lives, it’s time to make a difference. Here are some things to consider before taking the leap:
- Education: While there are no specific educational prerequisites, some programs require a high school diploma or GED. A degree indicates you have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively pursue a career as a CPR instructor.
- Certification: CPR instructors are often required to maintain basic level certification if they want to teach CPR to others. There are hundreds of organizations that offer CPR certification programs. It’s important to get certified before becoming a CPR instructor.
- Skills: You should be knowledgeable of basic first aid and life support skills and have good interpersonal skills. A good understanding of CPR techniques, guidelines, and protocols is fundamental. This includes proficiency in first aid, chest compressions, AED usage, and other related skills.
- Licensing: If you wish to become an independent CPR instructor, you may need to get a business license, set up a business checking account, and pay for liability insurance.
How Much Does It Cost to Become a CPR Instructor?
The cost of becoming a CPR instructor depends on the cost of CPR certification programs, training courses, materials and resources, and instructor course fees.
The training courses can vary from provider to provider. It also depends on the type of discipline, whether it’s a CPR-only program or whether first aid and other emergency skills are part of the program.
The costs can also vary based on other factors, such as geographic location and additional resources required. Do your homework to find the right and cost-effective instructor program.
Is It Hard to Become a CPR Instructor?
Whether you want to run your CPR training business, establish a full-time career, or make passive income training people in your spare time, the process isn’t that difficult or even time-consuming.
To become a CPR instructor, you need to find a suitable instructor training program and get your CPR certification from a recognized CPR training and certification provider, such as the AHA BLS instructor program.
How Long Does It Take to Become a CPR Instructor?
Depending on the type of training program and the location, it should take as little as a few hours or a couple of days to get certified.
You may need to attend classes over a period of a few weeks, and the time can vary based on the organization.
Overall, becoming a certified CPR instructor isn’t a tedious process.
How to Become a CPR Instructor in 6 Simple Steps
If you’re thinking of becoming an instructor and planning the next course of action, follow our steps to get started.
Step 1: Meet the Basic Instructor Requirements
While you don’t need a degree to become a CPR instructor, you may benefit from a high school diploma or a degree in a related field, such as healthcare and emergency medicine.
It’s not a strict requirement, but you are advised to check the requirements of a specific certification program you’re planning to pursue.
Step 2: Get Certified in CPR
You need to obtain your CPR certification first before you can start teaching CPR to others. There are many organizations that offer CPR, first aid, and AED courses.
Two of the largest domestic CPR providers are American Heart Association (AHA) and American Red Cross. You can do your research and find the most suitable course for your budget and aspirations.
Step 3: Affiliate With a Training Center
Before taking a course, you need to connect with a training center as part of the instructor course. The training center provides assistance every step of the way, from helping you get started to answering all your queries.
They also provide resources on how to apply for certification cards and renew your certification.
Step 4: Complete a CPR Instructor Course
A CPR instructor course can take many forms, depending on where you’re taking the course. Complete the instructor essentials course for the discipline for which you’re interested in becoming an instructor.
You can complete the course online or in a classroom. This helps you learn about various teaching styles and methods of instruction through a series of training modules.
Step 5: Get Monitored While Teaching
You can choose to get monitored within six months of completing your CPR instructor course. You can teach a class under supervision.
Many organizations will monitor your performance and provide feedback. You can ask your instructor if they’d be willing to evaluate you while you’re teaching a class to make sure you have what it takes to become a certified CPR instructor.
Step 6: Renew Your Certification As Needed
Remember, CPR instructor certifications have an expiration date and must be renewed.
A certification typically lasts for two years. It can be renewed only if you have taught at least one CPR class during your certification period. For instance, if you took the AHA instructor course, you’ll need to pass an exam to renew your certification.
Reasons to Consider Becoming a CPR Instructor
Here are some top reasons why to consider becoming a CPR instructor:
- Help others save lives: The main reason to become a CPR instructor is to save lives. But teaching others to do the same can make a difference in others’ lives too. To do that, proper training is required, and that training can help others to save lives.
- Flexibility and freedom: The job provides higher flexibility as you can choose to work for yourself and be your own boss rather than working for an organization. Take the right course, get certified, and choose your work schedule.
- Get more opportunities: You get to network with your peers and build meaningful relationships with professionals in the medical field. This may open up doors to many new opportunities for you to develop your skills and gain a competitive advantage.
- Earn extra money: As a CPR instructor, you have the chance to share your expertise with others. There are institutes and organizations that often call in CPR instructors to conduct training sessions inside their premises. You can teach them and earn extra money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is It Important to Learn CPR and First Aid?
CPR and first aid skills help save lives. It allows you to take immediate action when someone around you suddenly collapses or stops breathing. It’s important because it equips you with important life-saving skills.
How Do I Market Myself as a CPR Instructor?
Understand your competition and add value to your training sessions to attract more students.
And you can also create a professional website, offer competitive pricing, and promote your expertise through social media. Successful marketing will take you far in the long run.Â
Similar Gigs to Check Out
If you can’t handle the risks and burdens of CPR, let alone pursue a career as a CPR instructor, you can go for a less-invasive way to make money. Here are some options you can consider:
- Become a Life Coach: If you’re passionate about helping people and have excellent problem-solving skills, maybe you can pursue a career as a life coach.
- Become a Consultant: If you love sharing your expertise to help solve the problems of individuals and businesses alike, then becoming a consultant is the right career path for you. You get to follow your passion and earn some money along the way.
- Become a Personal Trainer: Looking for a more active way to help people maintain their physical health? If yes, maybe a path to becoming a personal trainer is for you. Train people to achieve their fitness goals and make money out of it.
Wrapping Up
There’s never been a better time to become a CPR instructor, as more and more people are learning CPR and basic life-saving techniques to help people in emergencies.
By earning a certification as a CPR instructor, you can learn how to save lives and teach others to save lives as well.
Whenever you’re ready to train others to learn CPR, refer to our guide for tips and guidance on how to become a certified CPR instructor and make extra money.
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments section below. And if you liked our article, feel free to share it with others who might be interested in this career.
