course handbook: 2019-2022
APPROVALS FOR CLINCS & MENTORS
Whether you are employed or on unpaid placement, you must obtain our approval by completing all the following steps.
This all must be completed and approved by us PRIOR to starting any clinical placement requirements at the clinic. Any placement that is undertaken PRIOR to any of the
following steps cannot count towards your course requirements.
For your normal place of employment this will occur as part of student induction. If you need additional clinics, or move clinics, then you will need to repeat the below steps for each new clinic.
All forms are available for download in the Learning Centre.
We recommend returning all forms at least 3 weeks prior to starting to allow time for processing and confirming requirements with the clinic if we are unsure they have the right equipment or if we need further information from the Clinic or your Mentor.
The steps you need to take are:
1. OBTAIN CLINIC APPROVALS
The first step is to get ACVN to approve the workplace as suitable for the placement. To do this, you will need the clinic to fill out the Clinic Approval Form and hand them back to you. You can then upload into your Induction area, or if changing during your course, email them to us. Once approved, we will email you to confirm.
2. ORGANISE A CLINICAL MENTOR/S
When doing your clinical component, you need to have a Clinical Mentor that can help teach and oversee your time in the workplace. This person will also sign off on your skill development through your key skills.
ALL Clinical Mentors need to complete the Clinical Mentor Registration packet and be approved by us prior to signing any of your practical skills.
Appropriate clinical mentors are:
- Veterinarians
- Qualified Veterinary Nurses
Mentors with other animal care qualifications can be accepted for placement one if performed outside a veterinary clinic.
Nurses that have an older qualification must be actively undertaking professional development within the industry to keep their skills and knowledge up to date before we can approve them.
Like for approving the clinic, you will need to provide your chosen mentor/s with the Mentor Registration Packet for completion, and then upload into your induction (or email form to us if later in your course) for approvals.
In some instances we may not approve a clinical mentor as suitable. You will then need to arrange an alternative mentor at the clinic.
3. INSURANCE
As an employee of the clinic, you will be covered by their work cover insurance.
For work experience, if you undertake some, insurance is vital and is arranged by UQ once we have approved your clinic and mentor and received the ‘Clinical Placement Application’ form. UQ will contact the clinic direct to obtain a Placement Agreement. We will email you confirmation that insurance is arranged and in place once UQ has notified us.
4. COMPLETE ANY PRE PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Employed students can start on their clinical components at the commencement of their studies as your workplace would have inducted you in their health and safety processes.
If you are completing work experience at another clinic to cover gaps, then you must complete the ‘Safe Animal Handling Techniques’ and ‘Health & Safety’ subjects prior to starting your placement component.
This is to ensure you are aware of all the hazards that can be encountered in the vet clinic fulfilling WHS requirements for insurance and legislation. Remember that you need to allow time for your work AND any resubmissions to be graded, so make sure you have submitted work and allowed time for this.