PARP training instructor
The job of a physical activity risk prevention (PARP) training instructor in a medical facility
The PARP training instructor in a medical facility seeks to train staff in the prevention of injuries related to physical activity, particularly in the context of patient handling, while simultaneously ensuring patient wellbeing. The work of the instructor thus entails raising staff awareness of the risks involved (primarily musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs) and training them on how to prevent these risks. Given this, the PARP training instructor is not only the go-to contact for healthcare staff, they are also the person in charge of overseeing the implementation of plans and/or corrective actions. They may, in this context, be required to work with:
- Ergonomists
- Service providers who recommend equipment better suited to reducing MSD risks
- The national/regional agency for the improvement of working conditions
- The retirement and occupational health insurance fund (CARSAT)
- Employee representative bodies.
What skills are required?
Two essential qualities are necessary for becoming a PARP training instructor: pedagogical skills and excellent analytical ability. The first ensures that the prevention message is clearly communicated to staff; the second enables the instructor to identify risk factors and situations and to propose realistic corrective action that is properly adapted to user needs. Lastly, a PARP training instructor should have naturally strong interpersonal skills..
