Student rosters and clinical area allocations will be made available to your education provider 2 weeks in advance of your placement commencing.
It is the responsibility of the education provider to make these rosters available to you.
Block placements take place between Monday-Friday AM or PM shifts, no shifts will be rostered on Public Holidays. Preceptorship placements may include weekend or night duty shifts.
Please aim to arrive at least 5 minutes prior to your shift commencing.
- AM Shifts 0700-1530
- PM Shifts 1300-2130
- Night Shift 2100-0730
Prior to attending placement it is expected that you have copies of the following documents, and that you have made them available to your education provider:
Police check
All students must hold a current National Police Check.
It is the responsibility of the Education Provider and students to ensure that prior to the commencement of placements that all students hold a current Police Check.
It is the responsibility of the Education Provider to advise students to carry their Police Check on them at all times of their clinical placement.
If a current Police Check is not held by the student, then they will be refused attendance at their clinical placement until they are able to provide to the Undergraduate Nurse Coordinator.
Immunisation
Undergraduate immunisation status is managed directly via your education provider. As per SVHM Terms and Conditions students cannot attend placement unless they meet immunisation requirements for health professionals according to the Department of Health and Human Services vaccination for health care workers program found at this link:
Mandatory Immunisations for placement at SVHM include:
- Hepatitis B
- MMRV (Measles/Mumps/Rubella/Varicella)
- Diptheria/Tetanus
Fluvax is made available to all of our students free of charge during our fluvax campaign.
Hand Hygiene
Hand Hygiene is the most effective means of preventing the spread of nosocomial infections among Hospital patients and personnel.
Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of all infection prevention and control programs. Each individual has a clinical and ethical responsibility to perform effective hand hygiene.
It is a requirement that all students have completed the appropriate learning package at the Hand Hygiene Australia website and can show proof of completion by downloading a certificate.
If you have previously completed this certificate we encourage you to revise the 5 moments of hand hygiene before your next placement. Non-compliance to hand hygiene will not be tolerated in the clinical areas.
Glove Use
Gloves should:
- be worn when there is a risk of exposure to blood or body fluids
- be put on IMMEDIATELY prior to task
- be changed between tasks on same patient
- be removed promptly after use BEFORE touching non-contaminated items and surfaces
- when removed, be followed by hand decontamination using Avagard
Gloves do not need to be worn:
- whilst showering/washing a patient assisting patients with eating
- upon entry to contact isolation rooms undertaking routine care
Wearing gloves does not replace the need for Hand Hygiene - always perform hand hygiene after removing gloves
Students must at all times adhere to St. Vincent’s Hospital Policy and Procedure Guidelines in regard to patient care. Additionally students should familiarise themselves with the hospital Student Policy. You will have access to review policies whilst on placement.
Identification:
Students must wear an Education Provider Student Identity Card at all times whilst on hospital grounds.
Students must identify themselves to patients, staff and visitors as a student nurse.
Presentation
Students must adhere to the uniform code of their education provider and that of SVHM.
Neat and professional attire must be maintained during clinical experience including hair tied back and jewelry kept to a minimum. Small stud earrings or sleepers (no more than 2 in each ear) are acceptable, as is a wedding ring, but no other jewelry is to be worn. Nail polish is not to be worn. Wrist watches must be removed when in direct clinical contact. Fob watches are preferred.
No long sleeve tops or cardigan are to be worn in the clinical area for infection control reasons.
Professionalism
The reputation and image of SVHM is upheld by the perceptions that patients and visitors form of staff. For this reason students are expected to be courteous and considerate to patients, visitors and staff members.
Confidentiality
Patient information is to be regarded as confidential at all times. Students will be required to read and sign a confidentiality agreement during their orientation period.
Patient care
Any changes or concerns in regard to patient condition must be reported to the buddy/preceptor or nurse in charge immediately.
Documentation: All entries in patient records and medication charts must be countersigned by buddy/preceptor (Division 1 RN) and clearly state your full name, education provider, year level and signature.
Personal Belongings
Students are advised to keep personal items and valuables to a minimum, as SVHM accepts no responsibility for these. Ward staff will indicate where you may store your belongings during placement.
Hospital Materials
Students must ensure efficient use of materials and equipment.
Textbooks or educational material belonging to ward or clinical areas may not be removed. All SVHM forms and information are the intellectual property of the Hospital and are therefore copyright and subject to the relevant laws.
Social Media
Students should not mention SVHM or detail anything about their placement, or communicate with patients or their families using social media. For further information about your responsibilities with social media you can review the social media policy from AHPRA by following the link below:
AHPRA Social Media Policy for Students.
Absenteeism/Leaving the clinical area
If unable to attend clinical placement the student must call their clinical area and inform their clinical educator that they will not be attending, as well as their education provider.
Students must inform allocated buddy when leaving the clinical area for meal breaks or at end of shift.