FPOS vs FREC3: Explore Pre-Hospital Care Courses & Career Paths
Understanding the Differences Between FPOS and FREC3 Pre-Hospital Care Courses
In the prehospital training world, there are 2 big level 3 courses that you may have heard of or have taken a course in. They’re the Level 3 First Person On Scene (FPOS) and the Level 3 First Response Emergency Care (FREC 3). This blog looks at both courses and explores what each offer, how they differ and their similarities in an unbiased way to give as much information about the two courses as possible. It also investigates the career progression routes available on completion of these courses.
Who are the FPOS and the FREC3 courses for?
The FPOS and the FREC3 are both designed for those who have an interest in pre-hospital care. Neither require any previous pre-hospital care knowledge and there are no pre-course requirements. It is advisable for you to have some first aid knowledge, perhaps from a previous emergency first aid at work course or a first aid at work course.
They are also great for those considering work in the role of a community first responder (CFR). Although lots of NHS ambulance trusts do provide their own training for those who would like to be in this role, so if this is your aim it may be worth checking your local NHS trust first. Also just to note, just because you have the FPOS or the FREC3 this does not automatically ensure your place as a CFR. All ambulance trusts will have their own application process.
What do these courses have in common?
These courses are indeed very similar in their content. Both are intended to give you a much broader skill set than you would find on a more basic 1 day or 3-day first aid course. They are great courses for those with a particular interest in the developing of their pre-hospital care skills. The FREC 3 does stand apart however when you consider the options you have with this qualification on successful completion of the first course in this pathway.
What’s the price difference between them both?
This all depends on where abouts in the country you are and which provider you choose for your training. Prices vary a fair bit, and some will have benefits that others may not. At NR Medical Training we will always have 2 Paramedic / EMT instructors on all of our enhanced first aid and pre-hospital courses. This allows for more in depth scenarios, two sets of real world experience, and in addition, helps to break the course up for those attending, and it provides a bit more variety in teaching styles.
We have seen prices as low as £350 and as high as £800. We sit around the middle of this price range, and this is because of the experienced Paramedic or EMT instructors each course has running it. We also want to make sure the course is as accessible to everyone as is possible. We have a Klarna option for payment for those wishing to spread payments out if this helps.
What’s the content like on both the FREC 3 and the FPOS, are there any similarities or big differences between them?
As above, the FPOS and the FREC 3 are very similar in their content. Both will cover things like BLS for adults, children and infants, both will cover airway adjuncts and trauma elements. Both also cover things like minor injuries, scene assessment, secondary surveys and the treatment of a range of medical emergencies. As courses go in the pre-hospital field, they are very similar.
What’s the scope for work or further training like after completing a FREC 3 or an FPOS course?
As mentioned above, gaining an FPOS or a FREC3 qualification could support you to start work as a CFR for your local NHS ambulance trust. Both of these courses are also designed to give you additional skills to equip you to be able to deal with lots of different medical emergencies. The right course provider will also instil confidence in you throughout the course and this is the key in being able to use your newly learnt skills.
Some private ambulance companies or medical support companies may also be able to offer you work in the event medical field. This may be in the form of working a fete, a festival or a public sporting event and providing medical cover. Usually in these types of roles you will be supported by a team of varying scopes of practice, for example FREC4s, Emergency Medical Technicians and or Paramedics. This will all depend on the type of event you are all covering.
FREC3 will allow you to embark on the FREC qualification pathway. Following successful completion of FREC3, you will be able to undertake a FREC4 qualification. This is the level of an Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) and with this qualification you may be able to undertake work on a front-line emergency ambulance with either an NHS trust or a private ambulance company. The FREC pathway is recognised by NHS Trusts nationally. So, if you are considering a career in the ambulance service and beyond, the FREC pathway may be a better option for you.
In addition, those with existing FPOS certificates and or those currently working as a CFR will be able to undertake NR Medical Training’s conversion course which will give you a FREC3 certificate on completion. This course accepts many different types of existing qualifications so be sure to have a look at our dedicated course page for the full list. The FREC3 RPL course is just 2 days and is a much more cost effective for those looking to convert their existing qualification into a FREC3.
Why does NR Medical Training only offer the FREC3 course, instead of or in addition to the FPOS course?
NR Medical Training is a QualSafe Awards Centre. This means we are able to offer both the FREC3 course, the FREC 3 RPL course and the FREC4 course. We feel this is a better fit for us as a training provider as the FREC pathway does appear to be more recognised in the NHS, private ambulance sectors and the security industry. By starting your pre-hospital training with a FREC course, you have options to be able to continue up a clearly defined pathway. QualSafe Awards are the home of FREC and the only awarding body who offer these qualifications.
As all of our instructors are from the ambulance service or relevant medical backgrounds, we feel more at home with teaching the FREC pathway as it is so widely recognised.
To summarise then, FPOS vs FREC3 – which one?! This all depends on what you plan on doing with your qualification. Some may wish to undertake one of these courses as they have a genuine interest and do not plan on entering into a specific career path. In this case, either course is fine. Others may wish to undertake this type of training as they have a clear career goal in mind. If the latter is the case, it may stand you in better stead to do the FREC 3 instead of the FPOS.
Make sure you shop around and find a good solid provider for whichever course you choose. There are some fantastic training companies out there who will provide a great course, so be sure of their credentials before booking.
