The clinical placement component is the final stage of the core program and is designed to help you expand your knowledge and consolidate the learnings you have gained from your participation in the RUCN-CDP.

While you are exposed to all types of presentations within your UCC, it is the volume and consistency of exposure that we are hoping clinical placement will provide. It is our hope that working within an Emergency Department or large UCC you will have the opportunity to bridge this gap and increase your confidence. Clinical placements will also provide the opportunity to develop and expand your professional networks across the region and develop a greater understanding of how the wider health system operates. Clinical placements will be:

Eligibility

In order to be considered for clinical placement learners, the following eligibility criteria must be met:

• Have completed the core program including all four core RUCN-CDP online learning modules 
• Have completed the RUCN-CDP online elective module ‘COVID-19: The basics for the UCC’
• Be employed in an approved health service and work EFT in your UCC and have support from your health service to participate.
• Not have worked in an Emergency Department (Regional or Metropolitan) in the last 12 months (this can be negotiated on an individual basis)
• Have up to date immunisation (including COVID-19), a current working with children check and be prepared to get a current police check (only required once you have been approved for a placement and we ask you to get one)

What to expect on your placement

During placement, learners are encouraged to participate in providing holistic care to UCC and ED patients, including comprehensive assessment and patient management under direct instruction and supervision of the assigned host site representative. This may include:

• Review of patient histories, patient charts and results on clinical information systems.
• Undertake history-taking (supervised).
• Initiate discussions with members of the clinical team.
• Observe and interact with the multi-disciplinary team
• Observe procedures.

While on placement, please note that you are not considered part of EFT allocated for shifts therefore are not permitted to deliver direct patient care or therapies, or independently undertake any procedures or document in the patient medical record. The learner must abide by the laws relating to confidentiality, privacy and any general or COVID specific hygiene requirements. During a placement, be mindful that you will be representing your health service and the RUCN-CDP and if any issues arise during your placement, the RUCN-CDP team and local clinical education teams are there to support you.

Funding

Nurses who are offered a RUCN-CDP clinical placement will be eligible for funding (up to a cap) for accommodation and travel (kms) if required and we will also reimburse any costs associated with getting a police check if we ask you to get one. The program will also provide your health service with a back-fill cost and a supervision fee for the host site. If you are offered a placement, our Clinical Placement Coordinator will talk to you in more detail about what funding is available and how to claim expenses.

ApplY for a placement!

Applications for placements are now open and our Clinical Placement Coordinator, is available to discuss options with you, regardless of how far through the program you are! Contact her below if you have any questions or would like to schedule a time to have a chat.

The process for applying is also below with a link to apply. We will help guide you through each step and provide support or act as an advocate where required. Don’t forget, you can apply for a placement at any time during the course of the program so if you aren’t quite ready once you’ve finished a workshop, you can apply whenever suits you and your health service.

Clinical placement available host sites

Below are the locations currently available for placements, note your preference on the application form below. If you have a preferred location that isn’t listed let us know and we’ll try to arrange it!

If you have any queries about sites or available dates, please contact Kate Hancock at rucncdpplacements@alfred.org.au.

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