Ready to Level Up? How to Become a CPR Instructor for Multiple Brands?
So, you’ve either just decided to become a CPR instructor, or you’re already rocking that instructor badge and thinking, “What if I add a few more brands to my lineup?” Maybe you’re an American Heart Association (AHA) instructor eyeing Health & Safety Institute (HSI) or Red Cross territory. Either way, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into why teaching multiple brands is a total game-changer—and how you can make it happen!
Why Teach Multiple CPR Brands?
If you’re already certified with one brand (like AHA or Red Cross), you might be thinking, “Why bother with another?” Fair question, but here’s the deal: each brand comes with its own perks, levels of flexibility, and even unique curriculums that could open the door to more business or career opportunities.
Maybe you’ve got clients who love HSI’s approach, but you’re only certified with AHA. Or you’re just trying to diversify your skills to be more marketable to training centers, hospitals, or corporate gigs. Whatever your reason, becoming an instructor for multiple organizations gives you options. And who doesn’t love having options? 🌟
Brand Breakdown: AHA, Red Cross, and HSI
Let’s do a quick rundown of the big three in the CPR world and what it takes to get certified with each of them.
American Heart Association (AHA)
If you’re targeting healthcare professionals, AHA is a must. Certifications like BLS, ACLS, and PALS are practically the gold standard in hospitals and healthcare systems. The only catch? You can’t just set up shop as an AHA training center right out of the gate—you’ll need to align with an existing AHA training center as a training site.
Keep in mind, every AHA training center might have its own set of rules, so you’ll need to juggle both the AHA’s requirements and your training center’s specific guidelines. The good news? Once you’re an AHA instructor, most other CPR brands will give you reciprocity. Yup, that means becoming certified with other organizations will be a breeze after this! 🌬️
American Red Cross
The Red Cross is super popular with non-healthcare workers, but they’ve recently stepped up their game with BLS, ACLS, and PALS courses. One of the biggest perks of being a Red Cross instructor? Free digital materials for both instructors and students. Other brands? They charge for that stuff. So, this is a HUGE selling point if you’re looking to save a little cash while teaching.
You’ve got two main paths: become an Authorized Provider (AP) if you’re teaching for an employer, or go full entrepreneur mode as a Licensed Training Provider (LTP). Not into running your own business? No problem. Align with an LTP as an Associate Instructor, and let someone else handle the admin work while you enjoy up to a 35% discount on materials and cards. Win-win, right? 🙌
Health & Safety Institute (HSI)
HSI is the largest for-profit CPR training brand in the U.S. and a favorite in corporate and community training. Why? It’s simple: lower costs for certification cards and more flexibility in how you teach. The AHA and Red Cross have pretty strict guidelines for how you present the material, but HSI gives you a little more room to breathe with their teaching Toolkit.
If you want flexibility and low overhead, HSI is your brand. Oh, and if you’re looking for a discount, Training Center 911 (our parent company) can hook you up with a 22% discount on HSI certification cards. 💡
Step 1: Do Your Homework
Before you dive headfirst into another certification, make sure you know what’s required. Different certifications have different prerequisites. For example, healthcare-focused organizations might insist on AHA, while workplace clients may prefer HSI or Red Cross. Check what your market needs and plan your next move accordingly.
Step 2: Meet the Requirements
If you’re already certified with one brand, awesome! That experience will help fast-track you with the others. But no matter how seasoned you are, you’ll still need to go through the following steps for each new certification:
- Instructor Experience: Already teaching with AHA or Red Cross? That’s a plus. Organizations love bringing on experienced instructors because, hey, you’ve already been there, done that.
- Instructor Course: You’ll need to complete a new course to become certified with the other brand. Each organization has its own curriculum, so they’ll want to make sure you’re familiar with their specific methods.
- Evaluation: Just like your first certification, you’ll be evaluated—usually by co-teaching or being observed in action.
Step 3: Start Teaching!
Boom! You’re now certified with your new brand and ready to roll. Whether you’re offering multiple certifications to current clients or attracting new ones, your versatility will pay off in the long run.
Pro Tip: Be strategic about where and when you offer each brand’s courses. For example, hospitals will likely lean towards AHA, but community organizations or corporate clients may prefer HSI or Red Cross. A little market research goes a long way. 📊
Pros of Being a Multi-Brand Instructor
- Flexibility: Tailor your courses to your client’s needs. If one brand doesn’t fit, you’ve got backups!
- Bigger Client Pool: Offering multiple certifications means you can cater to a broader audience. More clients = more business.
- Diverse Income Streams: More certifications open up more teaching opportunities. And more teaching means more money. Simple math, right? 💸
Watch Out for Burnout! 😅
Before you get too excited and add every certification under the sun, remember that juggling multiple brands can get overwhelming. You’ll need to keep up with different curriculums, recertification deadlines, and teaching methods. Stay organized, and don’t bite off more than you can chew. Choose the certifications that will best serve your clients and your business.
Adding that second (or third) brand to your instructor toolbox is a great way to grow your business or career. It opens up new opportunities, adds flexibility, and keeps your skills sharp. So, go ahead—level up! Just remember, take it one brand at a time to avoid overwhelm.
Got questions or need advice on your instructor journey? Drop them in the comments or shoot me a message. I’m always down to help a fellow instructor! 👊