Clinical placements
Important information including mandatory requirements to undertake clinical placements
Contents
Planners, Intensive School Dates, EEN Orientation Program
Clinical Placement Overview
Clinical Placement is an essential part of the UNE Nursing Pre Registration Programs. There are several mandatory requirements that need to be completed as part of the University enrolment process. Please note a number of these requirements take some time to complete, thus students are advised to commence processes immediately to ensure early compliance requirements are met.
Students are advised that they will be expected to show evidence that they are compliant or working towards compliance with mandatory components of the Clinical aspects of the course within the first three weeks of the first trimester of their course.
The mandatory requirements include:
- Evidence of Vaccinations as per NSW Ministry of Health Requirements
- Evidence of a Criminal Record Clearance
- Evidence of First Aid Certification
- Student Id Card
- UNE Nursing Uniform.
Immunisation and Vaccination
Students of nursing are considered to be Category A Health Care Workers and as such must be appropriately vaccinated prior to entering any NSW Health Facility.
Please note the following:
Students who are unable to demonstrate that they meet NSW Health vaccination requirements will be unable to undertake clinical placement and will not be able to progress through the pre registration nursing courses.
At the time of enrolment, each new student will be issued with/sent a Vaccination Record Card from NSW Health that must be completed by a Medical Practitioner. Students are advised to commence the vaccination process immediately.
Below is the current list of mandatory vaccinations and details regarding acceptable documentation for same.
All Category A healthcare workers employed in the NSW public health sector are required to be able to provide evidence of protection according to the following table. Health care students are classified as Category A staff.
| DISEASE | Acceptable evidence of protection against specified infectious diseases includes a written record of vaccination signed by the provider and/or serological (blood test result) confirmation of protection. This does not include a statutory declaration. |
| Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis | One documented dose of adult Diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis vaccine (dTpa). |
| Hepatitis B | Documented evidence of a completed, age appropriate, course of hepatitis B vaccine and documented evidence of anti-HBs > 10mlU/ml: or documented evidence of past hepatitis B infection (anti-HBc). |
| Measles, mumps, rubella | Birth date before 1966: or documented evidence of 2 doses of MMR vaccine at least one month apart: or documented evidence of positive IgG for measles, mumps and rubella. |
| TB | Students are required to complete a NSW Health TB Screening form to determine if further screening is required. |
| Varicella (chickenpox) | History of chickenpox; or documentation of physician diagnosed shingle: or documented evidence of a positive varicella IgG; or documented evidence of age appropriate varicella vaccination. |
This is in accordance with NSW Health Occupational Assessment, Screening & Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases policy PD2007_006 for staff, including RNs, Student nurses and Allied Health students. It is also in accordance with the NSW Health Infection Control policy PD 2011_005.
Compulsory Vaccinations for Clinical Placement In Plain Language
Acceptable evidence of protection against specified infectious diseases includes:
- a written record of vaccination signed by a Medical Practitioner, and/or
- serological confirmation of protection (via blood test).
NB: The Health Facility may require further evidence of protection eg. serology, if vaccination record does not contain vaccine brand and batch or official certification from vaccination provider (eg. clinic/practice stamp).
Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis - One adult dose of diphtheria / tetanus / pertussis vaccine (whooping cough) (dTpa- NOT ADT). Childhood vaccines and serology will not be accepted.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis B is given in three doses and is mandatory for health care workers. Students are required to complete the course and have documented serology results. Health Services require students who are in their second year of study to be fully compliant with this policy. It is an expectation that ALL direct entry Endorsed Enrolled Nurses are also compliant with this prior to commencement of their first clinical placement (i.e. have completed the Hepatitis B course with documented serology).
The second dose of vaccine needs to be administered four - six weeks after the first dose and the third dose needs to be five months after the second dose. Four weeks after you have completed your three vaccinations you will need to make an appointment with your local doctor for blood tests to ensure that you have seroconverted (i.e. that you have immunity) and the results of your blood test need to be attached to your vaccination record card. If you have already been vaccinated for Hepatitis B then you will need to have blood results that confirm your seroconversion.
Twinrix-Hepatitis A&B
If you have never been vaccinated for Hepatitis then your Doctor may offer you the Twinrix vaccine, which is a combination of the Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis A is not a compulsory vaccination for nursing students but if you intend to travel overseas or work in high-risk clinical areas upon your graduation then this will be beneficial for you.
Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
- involves two doses given four weeks apart. You will need to have this if you have no record of having had this as a baby. Serology information is a preferred requirement for evidence of immunity. Students must demonstrate immunity to all three diseases.
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
– involves two doses at least four weeks apart (evidence of one dose is sufficient if you were vaccinated before fourteen years of age). If you have had Chicken Pox then you will not need this vaccination, however, you will need to show evidence of immunity either by way of serology results - or acceptably documented history of disease by a Medical Practitioner.
Tuberculosis Screening (TB)
TST screening is required if a person was born in or has resided for more than three months in a high incidence country. A list of high incidence countries is available by contacting the Clinical Placement Manager via the AskUNE system.
If required, TST will be organised for you by the School of Health during your time on campus in the first Trimester. The Public Health Unit in the Hunter New England Health Service will conduct the testing and this will be free of charge. You will need to advise the Clinical Placement Manager if you believe you may require TST screening. You will then be advised of the date and time of the skin testing.
If you have been recently vaccinated with a live vaccine (MMR) then you will need to wait four weeks before having TB screening.
Further ‘plain language’ information is available from NSW Health at; http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/immunisation/ohs/faq.asp and http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/immunisation/ohs/policy.asp
Highly Recommended Vaccinations for Clinical Placement:
Influenza — given yearly and is often not available until autumn. Whilst you are on campus you can make an appointment at the UNE Medical Centre to have this vaccination. This is not a requirement, but it is strongly recommended.
Meningicoccal — one dose only. This vaccination is highly recommended for heath care workers and if you were born during or after 1984 then you are entitled to be vaccinated against meningicoccal free of charge.
Hepatitis A — given in two doses, six months apart.
Mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
It is a mandatory NSW Health requirement that all students purchase a pair of personal safety glasses for use on clinical placement. Students are able to purchase these from the Campus Essential Shop /Post Office. The shop will stock two types of glasses costing between $8.50 and $15.00.
National Police Certificate (Criminal Record Clearance)
According to the NSW Ministry of Health, students seeking clinical placement in NSW Health Facilities are required to undergo a National Criminal History Record Check and obtain a National Police Certificate. Students MUST apply through State or Territory Police Services OR the Australian Federal Police and pay the relevant fee (NSW Police currently $52.00 Australian Federal Police $48.00). Students should allow a minimum of fifteen (15) working days for the National Police Certificate to be processed.
The National Police Certificate MUST be presented to Clinical School staff at the commencement of your degree by the due date and remain valid for the duration of every clinical placement.
A National Police Certificate will be mailed to the address provided by the student. The National Police Certificate will only be valid for 3 years from the date of issue.
Overseas students must obtain an Australian National Police Certificate in addition to a Police Certificate from their home country (with English translation) or a completed Statutory Declaration detailing whether or not they have a criminal history. Overseas students may obtain an Australian Police Certificate through the AFP before their arrival in Australia.
First Aid Certification
Students MUST have a current Australian Work Cover Approved first Aid certificate whilst undertaking any of the Pre Registration Nursing courses. The First Aid Certificate is required to be presented to the clinical school during the first week of teaching of the First Trimester of the degree. Students who do not possess a current first aid certificate will be required to attend a certified First Aid Course prior to commencement of clinical placement.
Students will be expected to show evidence that they are working towards or have met this requirement within 2 weeks of the start of the teaching period of their first Trimester. Satisfactory evidence is a current first aid certificate or proof of enrolment in an approved course.
Assistance to find a course will be provided where possible.
A failure to provide this evidence by the due date will affect your ability to attend placement.
Uniform / Student ID
Students will be required to purchase a UNE Nursing Student Clinical placement uniform. UNE facilitates the purchase of UNE uniforms via Advance Design uniforms. Consultants from Advance Design will be available for uniform fittings early in the first Trimester of the course, once students are on campus.
Students MUST purchase a UNE Nursing Shirt directly from Advance Design. On campus fittings occur within the first three weeks of the teaching period of their first Trimester. Students are encouraged to ensure that they have budgeted for this purchase as they will not be able to attend placement if they have not purchased the correct uniform. Current Cost of Uniforms is $30 -$60 per shirt excluding postage. Cost will vary depending on style of shirt ordered. Other UNE nursing uniform garments may be purchased elsewhere. The Clinical School will advise remaining uniform requirements once you are on campus.
2nd Year entry students
In 2013, all Second year entry students are required to attend two compulsory days of EEN orientation on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd February 2013. Fulltime 2nd yr entry students will study HSNS 201, HHSC 246, HSNS 202 and HSNS 204 and are required to attend the Mandatory Intensive Schools from Monday 25th February – Thursday 14th March 2013. Part-time 2nd yr entry students are required to attend the Mandatory Intensive School for HSNS 201 and HHSC 246 only, from Monday 25th February – Friday 8th March 2013.
Students are advised that they will be expected to show evidence that they are compliant or working towards compliance with Mandatory NSW Health requirements within the first three weeks of the first trimester of their course.
These include:
- Valid National Police Certificate
- Evidence of Compliance or working towards compliance for Immunisations
- Valid Student ID Card
- Completed and returned Mandatory Paperwork (as provided to students once they are on campus)
Should you require any additional information or clarification please feel free to contact:
The Clinical Placement Manager, School of Health via AskUNE.