01
Medical Foundations
The newborn, relevant anatomy & physiology
Training & Standards
Supplementary medical and professional education for already-qualified Mohalim
The CERM programme is designed to strengthen medical judgement, safety systems, emergency readiness, aftercare and professional governance. It does not teach Halakhic knowledge or the operative technique of Brit Milah.
Programme purpose
A skilled religious practitioner should also be able to recognise when an infant is not fit for a procedure, prevent avoidable infection, respond appropriately to bleeding, identify an unwell infant, provide safe aftercare and know when to seek medical help.
The curriculum converts those responsibilities into defined competencies that can be taught, assessed and periodically refreshed.
01
The ten-module curriculum
Each module addresses a practical competence relevant to safety, quality or professional responsibility.
02
Pre-Procedure Medical Assessment
Is this baby fit?
03
Hygiene, Asepsis, Sterilisation & Infection Prevention
Prevent avoidable harm
04
Pain, Comfort & the Welfare of the Infant
Comfort is part of safe practice
05
Bleeding, Haemostasis, Bandaging & Wound Care
Recognise and respond
06
Recognising Complications & the Unwell Infant
Know what is not normal
07
Emergencies, First Aid & Infant Basic Life Support
Be prepared for the rare event
08
Knowing When to Refer
Work with healthcare professionals
09
Aftercare, Parent Guidance & Follow-Up
Safety continues after the ceremony
10
Clinical Governance, Safeguarding & Professional Standards
The framework around safe practice
02
Indicative programme architecture
Final teaching hours, equipment lists, clinical thresholds and medication/substance protocols remain subject to approval by the CERM Medical & Scientific Council before operational use.
| Component | Format | Indicative load |
|---|---|---|
| Modules 1–10 | Interactive teaching | 18–22 hours |
| Practical workshops & simulation | Small-group / stations | 5–7 hours |
| Infant BLS | Recognised external course | 3–4 hours |
| Certification assessment | Written + practical + cases | 2–3 hours |
| Pre-reading / e-learning | Plain-language preparation | 4–6 hours |
32–42 hTotal indicative learning load
PracticalVisual teaching, checklists, decision trees and scenarios
Periodic reviewUpdate as evidence, regulation and professional practice evolve
03
Certification assessment
Certification demonstrates competent judgement and behaviour, not merely attendance or academic recall.
Knowledge
Written assessment
Practical questions on infant fitness, hygiene, warning signs, aftercare, professional limits and referral.
Skills
Practical stations
Hand hygiene, working-field preparation, instrument handling, bandaging, haemostasis response and record completion.
Judgement
Cases & emergencies
“Proceed, postpone, manage or refer?” scenarios plus recognition of deterioration, severe bleeding and activation of emergency services.
Important: A CERM certificate confirms only that CERM’s own criteria have been met. It does not confer a regulated professional authorisation and does not replace national law, professional requirements or insurance obligations.
04
Medical & scientific basis
The curriculum draws on recognised medical and scientific sources for discrete areas of practice. Listing a source does not mean that the issuing organisation endorses CERM.
Selected source organisations
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- European Resuscitation Council (ERC)
- Cochrane and peer-reviewed medical literature
Quality assurance
Final clinical thresholds, medication or substance protocols, mandatory emergency equipment, checklists and referral standards are formally approved by appropriately qualified medical and scientific experts before the curriculum becomes operational.