Techs -- questions about private checks

[jen_nah]

Hmmm...maybe that varies by state also? If anyone does call next week, find out if it's available/not available across the board. I got mine in February, I think.

She said they just discountinued the coverage to anyone wanting a new policy just a few months ago. I bet you got in just before they discontinued the service.

 

[LISmama810]

All the sample forms in the course book have a space for a senior checker's name. Is that only if I want the installation to count towards recertification, or do I really need to have a senior checker around every time I do an install?

They didn't cover this in my course because all but two of us worked for the PD or FD.

There's a place for a senior checker to sign off because Safe Kids events require it. If you're doing private checks on your own, you don't need any kind of sign off.

She said they just discountinued the coverage to anyone wanting a new policy just a few months ago. I bet you got in just before they discontinued the service.

I wonder why they discontinued it. I can't imagine it wasn't a good risk for them.

 

[jen_nah]

All the sample forms in the course book have a space for a senior checker's name. Is that only if I want the installation to count towards recertification, or do I really need to have a senior checker around every time I do an install?

They didn't cover this in my course because all but two of us worked for the PD or FD.

It's not wise in your interest to do private checks for some time. You need to get some experiance under your belt before you fly solo. I tell this to everyone in my courses. What are you going to do if you run into a problem? This is where having another experianced tech is benefical to you. Even I at times need another techs help. We also always double check each others work or bounce ideas off each other if we are stumped.

While private checks are nice thing to do you really need to watch out for yourself esp due to liability no days. I would not under any circumstance do private checks without some type of liability insurance. This is where volunteering with Safe Kids or at a hospital/PD/FD fitting station will be benefical to you. You will be covered under their liability policy.

At my hospital we have a perment fitting station and greatly appreciate volunteers. Heck that is how I got my foot into the door and got a paying job as a CPST and now I am a Injury Prevention Specialist/Clinical Educator at the hospital and one day to be the Safe Kids Coordinator.

 

[RJB78]

If HPSO is not offering insurance, where else can you get tech insurance?

I have the form from my class (not Safe Kids). It was developed by the state's Injury Prevention office (Maine Child Passenger Safety Program), and it is used at checks at FDs, PDs, etc. It has the liability sign off. Do I need insurance on top of that?

ETA: forgot to say congratulations, pastrygirl!

 

[Judi]

Judi, will you give a full report for those of us who might also be interested in the insurance?

Yes, of course! No pics this time though.

 

[azgirl71]

Actually SK does not allow you to use the SK forms as their liability is covering you only during a SK event. If you log on too SK website there is a generic SK form that does not have SK liability wavier on it. It's under ref/forms/misc.

The red form in the book is the Genereic form . It is also the SK form that we use in AZ.

There is a form in the book that has a liability on it. I was thinking it was the red SK form, but I stand corrected. I added a liability clause to mine.

ETA: Wnted to note page 1 of the generic form is missing in the online file.

 

[pastrygirl]

I downloaded the red form. I like the waiver in the third example in the book, since it doesn't mention specific organizations. Is there any reason I couldn't use that one? (It's the St. John's Hospital form.) It refers to "organizers, sponsors, any program participants or volunteers."

 

[pastrygirl]

I will say if you just became a tech I do not suggest you do private checks until you have more experiance under your belt. You need to get involved with a SK coalition chapter or an org. that has a fitting station. You need a senior checker to double check your installs. I know you want to help these families but to cover yourself you need to get experiance first.

Yup -- I'm already connected. I'm waiting to get my cert ID and I also have to go through a formal volunteer process (it's associated with a hospital). I'm hoping to give short info sessions (without installations) to local moms groups, and hand out my card. I don't know if that would lead to any private checks -- I'd probably suggest the checkpoint where I'm going to volunteer. I figured I can at least offer some basic info on selecting a seat and proper use until I get more hands-on experience.

 

[jen_nah]

Yup -- I'm already connected. I'm waiting to get my cert ID and I also have to go through a formal volunteer process (it's associated with a hospital). I'm hoping to give short info sessions (without installations) to local moms groups, and hand out my card. I don't know if that would lead to any private checks -- I'd probably suggest the checkpoint where I'm going to volunteer. I figured I can at least offer some basic info on selecting a seat and proper use until I get more hands-on experience.

That is awesome that you found a hospital to help volunteer at. I think giving education to families minus the installation is a good tool and you can also use that towards your CEU's. I know many local mom's clubs here locally love it when a tech comes and talks about CPS safety to their group. We then refer them to local fitting stations in their area. Some of the mom's groups I have spoken at have 50+ babies and there is no way I could ever service that many on my own. So, Having a local resource that can handle that load is great for them. You might even be able to set up a local event for these mom's groups too. We have done that with great success in our area.

 

[pastrygirl]

That hospital is where I had my seats checked when Toby was born, and also where we had the check on the last day of class. It's a great location for me, so I'm glad they need volunteers!

How can I use those info sessions towards CEU's? They didn't talk about CEU's during our course, but knew about them from here. Will all become clear once I get my cert ID -- will I see extra stuff on the SK website when I log in?

 

[jen_nah]

That hospital is where I had my seats checked when Toby was born, and also where we had the check on the last day of class. It's a great location for me, so I'm glad they need volunteers!

How can I use those info sessions towards CEU's? They didn't talk about CEU's during our course, but knew about them from here. Will all become clear once I get my cert ID -- will I see extra stuff on the SK website when I log in?

Yes, Once the lead instructor enters all the scores into the SK data base and everything is approved via SKW then you will get an email congratulating you on becoming a CPST. At that time you will have more access to SK website once you log on and it will allow you to enter that info along with your seat check off verifications. You will need to get 6 CEU's plus 5 seats checked off by an instructor every 2yrs from the date of renewal. Most SK chapter offer a renewal course where you come and sit through a 6hr refresher course to get all your CEU's at once. Then all you need is your seat check.

 

[Unregistered1]

OK so aside from volunteering at the seat checks my former instructor emails me, how else can I get involved? I'm in Columbus Ohio if it helps. I would work with seats every weekend if I could!

 

[jen_nah]

OK so aside from volunteering at the seat checks my former instructor emails me, how else can I get involved? I'm in Columbus Ohio if it helps. I would work with seats every weekend if I could!

Have you asked your instructor if there is a perment fitting station (hospital, PD or FD based) close by? If there is that might be a good avenue to look into. Or even a local Safe Kids coalition/chapter that might have a fitting station. Most if not all these places will gladly welcome volunteer techs.

Or if you know of a local fitting station call to find out who is in charge of it and make contact with them. See what you can do to help get involved.

At our hospital we LOVE volunteers tech and encourage it. For one it helps us cost in having to pay an employee to be out there. At the end of the year we do give our volunteers special gifts for all their hard work at a volunteer bunch we do. This year our volunteer techs got either a fleece pull over with "CPS Tech" on them or a buckle bag but it depended on how much they volunteered with us.

 

[skaterbabs]

Jen, I just need to move to N. Texas.

 

[jen_nah]

Jen, I just need to move to N. Texas.

I won't lie I work with the best bunch of techs/instructors around. We are a family and are there to help each other out through anything. Like last week my boss had to go to CO and was supposed to teach a new CPST class. She called me and asked me to pick up her spot. Plus we love to party. Hey any reason fo a bbq is okay in my book too. LOL!

 

[Unregistered1]

I won't lie I work with the best bunch of techs/instructors around. We are a family and are there to help each other out through anything. Like last week my boss had to go to CO and was supposed to teach a new CPST class. She called me and asked me to pick up her spot. Plus we love to party. Hey any reason fo a bbq is okay in my book too. LOL!

COOK OUT AND TALK ABOUT CAR SEATS?!

Shoot, I'm moving too! And you guys get cool thunderstorms, I LOVE THUNDER STORMS!

 

[TXAggieTech]

Katie- Is there anything in Columbus in the next 3 weeks? I need to get in a public event sometime this month.

 

[skaterbabs]

I'm sooo jealous.

 

[jen_nah]

Katie- Is there anything in Columbus in the next 3 weeks? I need to get in a public event sometime this month.

We are having a huge State Farm event up here in Plano on Saturday and would love more help. We also have another State Farm event on the 24th in Royce City too.

 

[Unregistered1]

Katie- Is there anything in Columbus in the next 3 weeks? I need to get in a public event sometime this month.

Yes ma'am, in fact there is! I'm volunteering at a check in about 2 weeks (Saturday May 17) from 10 am to 2 pm at Immke Northwest Honda. I'm sure they'd love another tech!