Expectations for REACT Trainers: Professional Standards, Commitments, and Reimbursement
Overview
REACT trainers play a vital role in delivering high-quality, evidence-based education to multidisciplinary teams managing post-cardiac surgical emergencies. Trainer responsibilities are extensive and governed by a robust framework to ensure consistency, professionalism, and alignment with CALS Australia PTY LTD policy. This document outlines the expectations for instructors, course directors, and instructor candidates, and provides guidance on expense claims and reimbursement processes.
Trainer Roles and Responsibilities
Eligibility and Qualification
All instructors must hold a valid REACT Instructor certificate.
Medical instructors (e.g. cardiac anaesthetists, intensivists, and cardiologists) must be at least a Y4 trainee or consultant with demonstrable clinical involvement in cardiology care.
Nurses, AHPs, ANPs, resuscitation officers and consultant nurses must have a minimum of two years' experience in cardiology.
All faculty must have completed the REACT Train the Trainer (TTT) course or meet equivalent criteria, with agreement from the Course Director.
Teaching Commitment
Instructors are expected to teach on at least eight REACT courses over a four-year period.
Attendance at a TTT refresher is recommended every four years.
At least 50% of the faculty, including one medically qualified instructor, must be present for the full duration of the course.
Professional Conduct
Trainers must adhere to the CALS Australia PTY LTD Code of Conduct, Equal Opportunities Policy, and guidance for managing underperformance or safety concerns.
Trainers must maintain a current provider certificate and submit to reassessment if their instructor status lapses.
Instructor status is contingent upon ongoing engagement; failure to teach on four courses in four years requires reapplication via a Lapsed Instructor Form.
Instructor Candidates
Must complete two supervised teaching practices within two years of attending TTT.
Are not permitted to teach unsupervised and must deliver a lecture and lead a practical skill station under observation.
ICs can progress to full Instructor status upon satisfactory assessments by the Course Director and faculty.
Course Director and Medical Director Expectations
Every course must have a Course Director and a Medical Director, one of whom may hold both roles.
These individuals are accountable for course organisation, delivery, and compliance with CALS Australia PTY LTD standards.
They are responsible for allocating faculty roles, ensuring candidate preparedness, managing incidents, and completing the Course Director's Report within one week of course conclusion.
Only CALS Australia PTY LTD-approved individuals may act as Course or Medical Directors.
Claiming Expenses and Honorarium
Expenses are claimable for 'travelling trainers' training on REACT courses (Provider and Train The Trainer) OUTSIDE the REACT Centre of Excellence (COE) in which they normally train.
Scope of Reimbursement
Trainers may claim reasonable travel and subsistence expenses related to CALS course delivery.
Eligible expenses typically include: mileage (at approved rates), standard-class public transport, parking, overnight accommodation (if pre-approved), and modest meal allowances.
A full rundown of the expenses policy is found here.
Expense Form Submission
Trainers must complete the official CALS Expense Claim Form, available from linsey.woodhouse@csu-als.org .
Original receipts must be attached to all claims.
Completed forms should be submitted within 14 days of the course date.
Honorarium
An Honorarium of £400 / day (€450 in EU and $800 in ANZ) is available for all trainers training for CALS Australia PTY LTD OUTSIDE the REACT Centre of Excellence (COE) in which they normally train.
The Honorarium is applied for on the official CALS Australia PTY LTD Expense Claim Form.
Governance and Approval
Expense claims must be authorised by the CEO of CALS Australia PTY LTD.
Payment
Payment of all accepted claims forms will be within 14 days.