While you're on placement
We've outlined some tips below to help you succeed and make the most of your placement experience, along with what to do if you experience any unforeseen circumstances that affect your placement.
WIL placements are a great opportunity to prepare for graduate employment and build your confidence by applying your knowledge. There are a range of benefits that come from a WIL experience including:
- developing your professional identity
- engaging in teamwork, problem solving and self-management
- communicating effectively to people in diverse area
- advancing your theoretical knowledge and transferable skills.
In order to make the most of your experience and so you don't feel overwhelmed, we have put together a list of top tips to help you succeed.
Succeeding on your placement
1. Do your homework. The more you know about your placement requirements, workplace culture and expectations, the more likely you will start on the front foot. Work out where your placement is located and how long it will take to get there so you know exactly where you are going, where to park or how far it is from your public transport.
2. First impressions last. Dress professionally and appropriately for your workplace and be sure to be punctual. Consider getting there at least 10 minutes before your start time so you create a good first impression.
3. Be proactive, enthusiastic and interested. Make the most of the opportunities provided to you - use every opportunity to expand your knowledge, increase your transferable skills and develop your workplace experiences. Don't be afraid to make suggestions, ask questions or contribute ideas.
4. Ask questions. Your placement is about learning however you are not expected to know everything. Your placement supervisor is there to help you but may not know you need help unless you tell them.
5. Document your experiences. Document everything you do (in the form of a diary or journal, for example); this will act as a useful reference when you're preparing for future applications or competency-based interviews.
6. Demonstrate your willingness to work. A willingness to work shows your diligence and employability.
7. Network. Spend time developing relationships with your colleagues and keep in contact once your placement has finished. Never underestimate who or what people know.
8. Take up opportunities to socialise with your colleagues and supervisors. It’s great to get to know them in a less formal context and let them get to know you. Just be sure to behave professionally.
9. Stay off social media. The workplace is not the time to check your social media accounts. This will not be viewed favourably by your supervisor.
Emergencies and critical incidents
- CALL 000 - In the event of ANY emergency you must contact the local emergency services in the first instance.
- Once help is on the way, or if the situation is not an emergency but you still require urgent assistance, notify Flinders 24-hour security – (08) 8201 2880.
- For non-urgent matters contact your WIL Support Team or relevant Academic contact via email.
If you are injured or involved in an incident or accident while on placement you should report the event immediately.
You are required to:
- Immediately report the accident/ incident to the most appropriate person at the venue.
- Seek appropriate first aid or medical advice if required.
- Complete the venue's report form with the appropriate staff member.
- Notify your WIL Support Team of the incident
- Complete a University accident/incident report via the Flinsafe website within 24 hours of the incident:
- In FlinSafe click on the Report an Incident link at bottom of screen.
- Enter all required details of the injury, incident or accident.
- Enter your topic coordinator's name in the 'Topic Coordinator/Supervisor' field. This will ensure they are advised of the incident.
- Depending on the nature of the event, a University work, health and safety representative will contact you for follow up.
Natural disasters such as bushfires, floods and storms can have an impact while you are travelling or undertaking placement in both rural and urban locations. It is important you know what to do to remain safe before it becomes an emergency.
The Flinders University Emergency and Fire Safety webpage has useful information to remain safe during bushfires, floods or other natural disasters.
It is important to stay informed of threatening conditions, however, never rely on one source of information, as sometimes technology can fail during an emergency. Awareness of other information channels is important to help you respond appropriately during emergency events.
In South Australia the fire danger season generally runs from November to April, however, it can vary for different locations and interstate so be aware of the local conditions and fire danger ratings.
In the case of bushfires, watch the fire alerts for the state or territory you are in. Emergency services may not directly contact you if there is an active threat in your area, so keep up to date on advice for fires near you.
If you're in an area with an emergency warning or under immediate threat of an out of control fire, comply with emergency services warnings and advice and follow local authorities’ instructions - including if they need you to evacuate or shelter indoors. Be aware of local community emergency fire plans and bushfire safer places. If you are in your placement workplace, follow the instructions and directions of your placement supervisor and adhere to the workplace bushfire safety and survival plan.
If you are involved in a bushfire or natural disaster situation, and you have followed the instructions above, notify Flinders 24-hour security – (08) 8201 2880 for further advice and assistance.
Contact your WIL team for further advice
Please ensure you stay safe and avoid unnecessary travel to bushfire affected areas. You should not travel through or to areas that are at risk or have been heavily impacted. Contact your WIL placement team via phone or email. for further advice about attending your placement.
If your WIL placement has been disrupted, please contact your WIL team after the threat ends. Your team can help you to arrange to finish your workplace learning requirements or help you find support.
Your health and welfare
As part of your preparation for placement you will need to complete a declaration about your fitness to undertake placement. This refers to any physical or mental impairment, disability, condition or disorder (including substance abuse or dependence), that may impact on your ability to undertake placement.
If you have a physical or mental impairment, disability, condition or disorder (including substance abuse or dependence), that could impact your ability to successfully undertake a placement, you must advise your topic coordinator before starting your placement.
You may also need to arrange a disability access plan. This can be organised through the Disability Service and the University has disability advisors who will support you to do this through the free, confidential service.
More information
Contact the University Disability Service to discuss an access plan.
Preparing for placement and the placement experience can be stressful. If you feel overwhelmed during placement, or need some additional support, you can access the University’s Health Counselling and Disability Service.
This is a free and confidential counselling service that is available to all students. You can access up to 6 counselling sessions in a calendar year.
Counselling service
If you need to speak with someone urgently, and it is between 8.45am and 5.00pm:
- phone: 8201 2118
If it is out-of-hours (5pm to 9am, weekends, public holidays), contact the dedicated Flinders Out-of-hours Crisis Line
- phone: 1300 512 409
- text: 0488 884 103
Other resources
Oasis is a Student Community Wellbeing Centre focused on supporting the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of students, so they can achieve academic and personal success.
You can access a range of activities and resources to support you sustain your mental and physical wellbeing before and during placement.
Flinders offers a range of financial support services to assist students undertake a WIL experience. These include:
If you are unfit to attend your placement, you must inform your placement supervisor and your placement venue of your absence as soon as possible.
If your illness or injury is:
- two consecutive days or more, then you must provide your topic coordinator with a medical certificate (original).
- three consecutive days or more, then you may require a fitness for practice certificate. Speak to your topic coordinator if this applies to you.
It is your professional responsibility and considered expected professional communication, to keep your placement supervisor and placement venue informed of any attendance issues. Unprofessional communication/ behaviour may lead to unsuccessful achievement of your topic learning outcomes.
Please note for students in the College of Medicine and Public Health, please refer to College based policies and procedures.
Exceptional or unforeseen circumstances are those which are beyond your control and that there was no opportunity to prepare for in advance. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- unplanned illness of yourself or a close relative
- unanticipated personal circumstances beyond your control
- unanticipated and significant work-related circumstances
- sporting commitments for recognised elite athletes.
Activities or circumstances within your control, for example attendance at sporting events (with the exception of approved sporting commitments), holidays, family celebrations, travel, and/or other foreseeable events will not normally constitute grounds for exceptional circumstances. Supporting evidence for unforeseen or exceptional circumstances must be verifiable.
If you will be absent for two or more days due to exceptional circumstances:
- Inform your placement supervisor and your placement venue of your absence as soon as possible.
- Contact your topic coordinator as soon as practicable to discuss completion options. In some circumstances, you may be required to withdraw from the placement.
- Provide your topic coordinator with written evidence (for example, from a medical practitioner) in support of your claim.
Please refer to section 9 of the Assessment Policy and Procedures.
If you enrolled in a placement topic and are planning, or become pregnant, it is important that the WIL team is advised as soon as possible.
Pregnancy may influence your eligibility to undertake a placement and it is the WIL team’s responsibility to ensure you are not placed at a venue or ward that might put you or your baby's health at risk.
If your pregnancy is confirmed while you are on placement, and you have concerns please contact your placement supervisor or the WIL team as a matter of urgency.
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