Recently, HSU Patient Transport Officer (PTO) members reported being asked by management to source and pay for their own Advanced First Aid certificate. This is not acceptable.

Maintaining a Basic First Aid Certificate is an Award requirement for PTOs under the Health Employees’ (State) Award 2023.  The Award sub clause is as follows:

(xxxv) A "Patient Transport Officer" is an employee who at the time of appointment holds a minimum current Basic Life Support accreditation or equivalent or who has successfully completed any other relevant training and work experience as determined by the employer to become a Patient Transport Officer. Such an employee may be required to successfully complete further instruction/in-service courses necessary for Patient Transport Officers as determined by the employer and as provided by the employer.

As such, management should source and pay for PTOs to attain the Advanced First Aid certificate.

HSU PTO members who have paid for their Advanced First Aid certificate are calling for their course fees to be remunerated by MNCLHD, which currently manages Patient Transport across both MNCLHD and NNSWLHD.

Affected HSU members should keep their course receipts and will receive a further update on this issue once a response is received from management.

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New members can join at www.hsu.asn.au/join or call 1300 478 679.