An integral component of the Bachelor of Paramedic Science degree program are clinical placements which involve on-the-job experience with the SA Ambulance Service (SAAS).
The Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Paramedicine combines clinical placements within an Australian ambulance service and in-hospital placements.
The purpose of clinical placements is to provide the essential experience of working in the pre-hospital emergency and non-emergency care environments.
Paramedic degree placements are designed to give you valuable exposure and experience in a variety of emergency and non-emergency medical settings. Students work as a 'third' with their crew.
The following is an explanation of the different types of placements that you may be involved in:
All students must complete and submit all of the mandatory clearance and immunisation screens that are required to undertake placement in South Australia and interstate.
The number of placements you are required to complete for each topic is provided in the Statement of Assessment Method for that topic. Placements are an assessable (non-graded pass - NGP) requirement of PARA1000, PARA1005, PARA2002, PARA2007, PARA3002, PARA3007, PARA8012 and PARA8013.
Activity | What you need to do |
Form / more information | Submit to |
---|---|---|---|
Fitness for placement declaration | Declare your fitness for placement by reading and acknowledging the Fitness for Placement statement on InPlace. Let the University know if you have an access plan. |
N/A | InPlace |
Student consent for placement | Read and acknowledge the relevant essential conditions around student consent for placement using the applicable form. (Please note: if you are required to undertake multiple placements during your degree, you may be required to read both student consent documents, check with your WIL Support Team if you are unsure.) | Placements undertaken outside Flinders University - Student Consent for Placement Statement (PDF) OR Placements undertaken within Flinders University ONLY - Student Consent for Internal WIL Placement with Flinders University Statement (PDF) |
InPlace |
Intellectual property for placement |
Watch the student IP declaration, then acknowledge your understanding in InPlace. |
Student Intellectual Property Statement (PDF) | InPlace |
Emergency Contact |
Confirm your emergency contact details are up to date in the Student Information System. | Student System |
|
Police Check | You will need to provide a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC). | Police Check detailed information | InPlace |
Activity | What you need to do |
Form / more information | Submit to |
---|---|---|---|
International Police Check | Check if you qualify to obtain an IPC | InPlace | |
Police Check | You will need to provide a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC). In accordance with the Northern Territory government guidelines for clinical placements within NT Health, only National Police Certificates (NPCs) provided by police services in Australian states or territories will be accepted. NPCs issued by 3rd party providers are not accepted. |
Police Check detailed information | InPlace |
Immunisation Compliance Certificate | See a GP to complete and document the necessary immunisation requirements on the Immunisation Compliance Certificate. |
Immunisation compliance detailed information | InPlace |
Annual influenza vaccination | Book an annual influenza vaccination from an immunisation provider. | Influenza vaccination certificate (PDF) | InPlace |
Hand hygiene | Undertake the online National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) module:
Upload the certificate. |
NHHI - Complete learning module | InPlace |
Medical and Functional Assessment | Have your medical practitioner assess your fitness for practice. | See PDF | InPlace |
Activity |
What you need to do |
Form / more information |
Submit to |
---|---|---|---|
DHS Working with Children Check |
Obtain a clearance from DHS |
DHS compliance information | InPlace |
SA Health Better Placed Deed Poll | Read, understand and sign the SA Health Better Placed Deed Poll | Better Placed Deed Poll information and form | InPlace |
SA Tuberculosis Services screening | Complete the online questionnaire and follow any instructions you receive by email from SA TB services. Upload your questionnaire results to InPlace. IMPORTANT: Some vaccinations can interfere with the blood test that is used to screen for Tuberculosis. For this reason, you should delay any vaccinations until AFTER you have been cleared by SA TB Services, or until you have received your IGRA test results. |
InPlace | |
Observer indemnity | Acknowledge and agree to accompany a SAAS staff member as an observer. | SAAS Observer indemnity form (PDF) | InPlace |
Activity |
What you need to do |
Form / more information |
Submit to |
---|---|---|---|
NT Government Deed Poll | Students will have access to a range of confidential information while attending a placement and need to be familiar with and understand the relevant requirements of maintaining confidentiality. Students must read, understand and sign the and upload to InPlace |
NT Department of Health student placement information and forms |
InPlace |
Tuberculosois screening | Follow information as directed on the NT Government website information on TB. | Guidelines for the control of Tuberculosis in the Northern Territory |
InPlace |
Ochre Card | To undertake placements in the Northern Territory you are required to have a working with children clearance in the Northern Territory, known as an Ochre Card. | Ochre Card detailed information | InPlace |
Observer Indemnity | Complete a St John Ambulance NT Observer Agreement to accompany a St John Ambulance NT operational staff member as an observer. | St John NT Observer Agreement | InPlace |
COVID – 19 Vaccination | NT Health vaccination policy requires placement students to have up to date COVID-19 vaccinations applicable to health care workers as recommended by Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). ATAGI recommends a primary course of vaccinations against COVID-19 followed by a booster for those eligible. Some health care environments may have additional or varying requirements and students will be notified in these circumstances. |
InPlace |
These clearances are valid for three years from date of issue (unless revoked prior), except Working with Children Check which has an expiry of five years.
There are four types of screening offered by the DHS; Aged-Care Sector, Working With Children Check (WWCC), Vulnerable Person employment, and Disability Services employment. Refer to the pre-placement compliance checklist to determine which screenings you require.
Formerly known as Department of Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) clearances, DHS clearances are state-based clearances used that are used to determine suitability for employment within specific care sectors in South Australia.
Note: Working With Children Checks issued prior to 1 July 2019 are known as Child-Related Employment Screenings.
Existing clearances can be renewed up to 6 months prior to expiry. It is recommended that clearances are renewed early to ensure there is no lapse in compliance.
View more information on the DHS website.
The Police Check is a printout of all disclosable criminal convictions as recorded by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). DHS clearances involve additional probity checks and continuous monitoring. Both are required.
Your working with children clearance notice, the Ochre Card, is valid for two years. It is issued by the screening authority.
You must by law apply for a working with children clearance, also called an Ochre Card, to work or volunteer with children in the Northern Territory (NT).
A working with children clearance is an assessment of the risk of harm or exploitation that you may pose to children.
It involves a check of:
The check is conducted by the Northern Territory Screening Authority, appointed by the Minister for Children and Families.
The authority works with Screening Assessment for Employment in the Northern Territory (SAFE NT), a unit of the Northern Territory Police.
The information you submit to SAFE NT will be kept private unless it is required by law to be disclosed.
Students are responsible for paying the application fee.
An International Police Check (IPC) is required by students if in the last 10 years they have lived in a country other than Australia, for more than 1 year since turning 18 years of age.
Fit2Work is an accepted provider of an IPC or you may already have an IPC and can upload this as evidence on InPlace.
Valid for three years from date of issue
Commonly referred to as a Police Check, a National Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) is a document that lists all criminal convictions recorded against a person in the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) database. For more information visit the ACIC website.
Police Checks (NCCHCs) can be issued by:
An acceptable Police Check (NCCHC) must meet the following requirements:
Please note – if you are completing a Police Check for a Northern Territory placement, please follow the instruction provided by Flinders NT or your discipline specific checklist. In the absence of this advice, follow the above instructions to complete the application form.
Students are responsible for the cost of obtaining their Police Check (NCCHC).
Students completing placements in South Australia may choose to apply for a Police Check (NCCHC) directly through their local police, or through a commercial broker. If a Police Check (NCCHC) is required urgently (e.g. sooner than 4 – 5 weeks) then it is advisable to apply online through an accredited broker that offers fast turnaround.
Police Check (NCCHC) providers:
Please note that Flinders University does not endorse these providers and cannot guarantee their turnaround times.
Students with criminal convictions should to refer to the SA Health Criminal and Relevant History Screening Policy Directive. Students with serious criminal convictions may be precluded from placement. Students with criminal convictions are advised to meet with their course coordinator to discuss their ability to satisfy the requirements of their placement topic.
No. The Teachers Registration Board (TRB) undertakes a Police Check (Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check) as part of the registration process, however, no outcomes are listed on the registration certificate. You are required to obtain a separate Police Check (NCCHC).
Replacement Police Checks (NCCHCs) can sometimes be obtained by contacting the organisation that issued the original certificate. In many cases, students who have lost their Police Check (NCCHC) will need to apply for a new one.
Valid indefinitely.
The Immunisation Compliance Certificate sets out the immunisation requirements for students and identifies acceptable evidence of immunity for each disease. The Immunisation Compliance Certificate must be completed by an immunisation provider, this can include General Practitioners (GPs) or Registered Nurses (RNs).
Students are responsible for:
Completing the Immunisation Compliance Certificate may require several appointments with an immunisation provider. The schedule of appointments will vary depending upon previous vaccination history and the availability of medical records. A typical appointment schedule may include:
The Immunisation Compliance Certificate must be completed by an immunisation provider in Australia. This can include General Practitioners (GPs) and Registered Nurses (RNs). Students are encouraged to utilise the Flinders University Health, Counselling and Disability service.
Some students may find that they are unable to complete the immunisation requirements before their first (and sometimes second) placement. In such cases, students can be deemed provisionally compliant and allowed to attend placement if they meet the following criteria:
No. Immunity to Hepatitis B must be confirmed by blood test. For students undergoing a course of vaccinations, the blood test is to be completed 4-6 weeks after the final (3rd) dose of the vaccine.
If a student is confident of their previous vaccination against Poliomyelitis, the Poliomyelitis Statutory Declaration (PDF) can be completed and will be accepted as evidence of immunity. Students that are unsure of their vaccination history should complete a course of vaccinations.
There are several reasons why a student may not be able to fulfil the immunisation requirements:
Students who cannot be fully vaccinated/immunised for the above reasons will be required to meet with their placement education coordinator to discuss strategies for ensuring the safety of themselves and others while on placement.
Students who refuse to be screened or vaccinated, or who refuse to provide this information to the University, are not considered as having met the immunisation requirements and will be refused a placement on this basis. Vaccination refusal will impact a student’s ability to complete their course; students that refuse vaccination are advised to meet with their course coordinator.
Students are required to obtain an annual flu vaccination, and evidence of this may be required by your placement venue, so please carry the influenza vaccination certificate on your person.
For Hepatitis C (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) - it is recommended that students obtain serological evidence with regard to these two diseases as it is important to know their status especially if the student is exposed to bodily fluids. Students are not to advise their HCV or HIV status.
While students do not have an obligation to notify AHPRA about an infection, the student must comply with CDNA guidelines.
Students must obtain the appropriate placement uniform. This uniform must also be worn during practical sessions and at other times when requested.
Item | Description |
---|---|
Paramedic science shirt | Embroidered with your name and the Flinders University crest and course title. |
Softshell jacket | Embroidered with your name and the Flinders University crest and course title. |
Black cargo pants | No track pants, tights or jeans. |
Black work boots |
Sturdy, closed-in black boots. No sneakers. |
Safety glasses | For clinical placements and practical sessions. Glasses must meet Australian Standards (AS 1337). |
For more information on sizing and to place orders visit the Corporate Image website.
You are required to read and understand the SA Health Clinical Placement Requirements for Healthcare Students (PDF)
Under the national law, all students enrolled in an approved program of study, or who are undertaking clinical training in a health profession, must be registered as a student with their respective national board.
The university is responsible for ensuring that students who are enrolled in an approved program of study who are undertaking clinical training in a health professional are registered. The University provides this information to AHPRA.
If you have an existing condition or develop an illness or disability that may impede your ‘fitness for professional practice’, you must have the Flinders University Fitness to return to placement PDF completed by a medical practitioner.
This form needs to be submitted to the Course Coordinator as soon as possible (for existing conditions, at least two weeks prior to the start of the semester).
You may be required to travel distances to some of your rural and regional placements, that you would not ordinarily drive.
Please refer to the Flinders University Driver and Vehicle Safety Procedures (PDF)
Relevant documentation:
The majority of paramedic degree students are required to participate in placements.
How many clinical placements do I need to complete, and what exactly do the different types of placements involve?
The number of placements you are required to complete for each topic is provided in the Statement Assessment Method for that topic. Placements are an assessable (non-graded pass - NGP) requirement of PARA1000, PARA1005, PARA2002, PARA2007, PARA3002 and PARA3007.
If you experience something traumatic while on placement, you should immediately let your team leader or supervisor know. They will then ensure that you are followed up - initially by SAAS Peer Support (who will contact you) and then through stages of the process that apply to your situation.
It is important that you speak to someone as soon as any issues arise. Your concerns will be treated with respect and can be kept confidential. For enrolled students further detail about the Peer Support Process is provided in FLO.
Remember that you have free access to the University Health, Counselling and Disability Services.
Flinders University is committed to ensuring that students can participate in workplaces that are free from bullying, harassment and discrimination, and where people are respected and diversity is embraced.
The College complies with the Flinders University principles outlined in No bullying at Flinders.
If you feel that you are being, or have been, bullied or harassed at a placement venue, report this immediately to your topic coordinator.
Also, seek support and assistance as soon as possible from the University Student Equal Opportunity Adviser, who provides assistance to resolve complaints that arise from harassment or bullying, under the University’s Equal Opportunity Policy (PDF).
Flinders University is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning environment. There is no place for sexual assault or sexual harassment at Flinders University.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment, or you are concerned about an incident or behaviour, contact us. We will be there to listen, provide information about options available to you and support you through the process.
Tropical cyclones pose a serious threat to Northern Territory communities. The NTMP has a cyclone procedure and will implement when necessary.
Location: Flinders Medical Centre, Level 5 Room 5E213
Phone: 7221 8390
Email: cmph.placements@flinders.edu.au
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
CRICOS Provider: 00114A TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097 TEQSA category: Australian University
Flinders University uses cookies to ensure website functionality, personalisation and a variety of purposes as set out in its website privacy statement. This statement explains cookies and their use by Flinders.
If you consent to the use of our cookies then please click the button below:
If you do not consent to the use of all our cookies then please click the button below. Clicking this button will result in all cookies being rejected except for those that are required for essential functionality on our website.