Instructor Development

What is the IDC?

The IDC is an integral part of becoming an ECSI Instructor. This in-person course prepares candidates to teach life-saving skills. For description of the Instructor Development Course and its components, please click click here.

Who must complete the IDC?

If you have teaching experience, you may not be required to complete the IDC. To find out if you need to complete the IDC to become an ECSI Instructor please click here.

Who can take the IDC?

The IDC is for those who wish to become Instructors with ECSI but do not have any previous teaching experience. Anyone interested in taking the IDC must first have a deep understanding of the life-saving skills that they will teach as an instructor. They must also have a current provider card or other proof of content knowledge.

How long does it take to complete the IDC?

The IDC is composed of three components: The Instructor Development Orientation (IDO), the Education Center Orientation (ECO), and the Monitored Teaching Experience (MTE). The IDO will take approximately 2.5-3 hours to complete. The ECO will take approximately 2.5-3 hours to complete. In many cases, the IDO and ECO will occur on the same day. The MTE will take an additional 1 hour per participant.

Who can teach the IDC?

Only ECSI Instructor Trainers can teach the IDC. Each Education Center should have at least one person qualified at this level.

How does an Instructor Trainer obtain the IDC teaching materials?

Education Centers should purchase a set of the IDC materials for their Instructor Trainer(s). This digital set includes materials for each component of the IDC:

• Materials to accompany the Instructor Development Orientation (IDO):
  • Instructor Candidate Manual
  • IDO PowerPoint Presentation (complete with lecture notes)

• Materials to accompany the Education Center Orientation (ECO):
  • Education Center Manual
  • ECO PowerPoint Presentation Template (optional, fill-in-the-blank presentation to aid in discussion; note that some Education Centers may choose to provide their own ECO materials)

• Materials to accompany the Monitored Teaching Experience (MTE):
  • Instructor Candidate Evaluation Form

• Materials for use upon course completion:
  • Instructor Development Course Completion Certificate (fillable PDF)
  • Course Evaluation Form

What is the cost per candidate to go through the IDC?

Unlike other ECSI courses, there is no cost per candidate. The only cost is the Education Center’s initial purchase of the IDC.

Do Instructor Candidates receive a Completion Certificate for each of the IDC components?

No. There is one Completion Certificate for the entire IDC. Once Instructor Candidates complete the three components, the Instructor Trainer or Education Center Administrator will sign off on the certificates and distribute them to participants, either in electronic or printed form.

What is the final step once the Instructor Candidate has completed all three components of the IDC?

The Instructor Candidate can now apply for Instructor Status online at https://signup.ecsinstitute.org/Instructor/signup.aspx/new. On the application where it asks for “Current Instructor Credentials,” applicants should check “ECSI Instructor Development Course.” Applicants will also be asked to upload proof of credentials (IDC Completion Certificate and current provider card or other proof of content knowledge).

For individuals who are prehospital providers or already have knowledge of the course content but do not have any teaching experience is there any form of reciprocity for obtaining ECSI Instructor Status?

No, reciprocity is not possible without any teaching experience. Those without teaching experience will need to complete the Instructor Development Course to become an ECSI Instructor. The IDC teaches how to teach the content, not the content itself.

For individuals who are already Instructors with another organization, is there any form of reciprocity for obtaining ECSI Instructor Status?

Yes. Some individuals with adequate content knowledge and teaching may be eligible for reciprocity. Applicants can request reciprocity through the ECSI website at https://www.ecsinstitute.org/get-started/instructor. Individuals who qualify for reciprocity may not be required to complete every component of the Instructor Development Course.

What types of qualifications may be eligible for reciprocity?

Reciprocity may be granted to individuals with instructor/educator credentials from approved organizations or with approved experience, such as:

• American Heart Association
• American Red Cross
• American Safety & Health Institute
• Ellis & Associates
• Military/Medical Corps
• National Safety Council
• National Ski Patrol
• CPR, AED, First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, or Scouts Educator
• Emergency Medical Service, Fire Service, or Law Enforcement Educator
• Pediatric First Aid for Caregivers and Teachers (PedFACTS) Educator

If an individual has instructor/educator credentials from an organization not on this list and wishes to receive reciprocity, they may contact ECSI at [email protected].

How do Instructors maintain their Instructor Status?

In order to maintain Instructor Status, Instructors must teach at least two ECSI provider courses within their 2-year active period. They must also follow all ECSI-related policies and procedures, as well as complete any training related to updated guidelines as directed by ECSI.

How do Instructors renew their Instructor Status?

If an instructor’s submitted course rosters indicate that they have instructed at least two ECSI provider courses within their active 2-year period, their Instructor Status will be renewed automatically and at no cost. The instructor and their affiliated Education Center will be notified of this automatic renewal via email, and no further action is needed.

If an instructor has not taught the required two courses, a renewal notice will be sent 90, 60, and 30 days prior to expiration asking them to manually renew their Instructor Status. Their affiliated Education Center will also be copied on these emails. Manual renewal is also free of charge.

If an instructor does not receive notification, they should consider whether their contact information has changed.

What happens if an Instructor’s Status expires but they wish to continue teaching?

If an Instructor’s Status expires, Education Centers can manually renew it up to 6 months after expiration. If an instructor wishes to be renewed after this timeframe, the Education Center Administrator can contact ECSI for assistance at [email protected]. Renewal is free of charge.

How can ECSI Instructors stay up to date on scientific guidelines and content changes?

If guidelines, training, or treatment recommendations change, ECSI will communicate these changes with all Instructors and Education Centers via email. Instructors may be required to review written documentation, videos, or an online course. These materials will always be free of charge and serve to ensure the most up-to-date science is being communicated to students. Instructors that disregard these requirements may have their Instructor Status revoked