This is the Clinical Placement system used by the Nursing & Midwifery Program at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Once you have logged into Sonia Online, your School homepage will become active. From here you can access information relating to your Clinical Placement including:
- your placement details;
- forms and information for mandatory pre-clinical requirements;
- reminders and important dates;
- electronic forms;
- facility information;
- uploading and viewing pre-clinical documentation.
On this page:
Important note: It is not always possible to place all students near where they live; you may have to travel further than you do to get to University. Placements are allocated in different ways for different subjects, and decisions are governed by students' scope of practice which develops as you progress through the Degree.
COVID-19 Infection and Exposure
Students are required to report any COVID infection and exposure that will impact attendance for placement, clinical laboratory or class. Please complete the self-selectable WIL COVID-19 Reporting form available under the Forms tab, once you have logged into Sonia Online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nursing Placement Information
Placement Portfolio Template
You can use the below document as a guide on how to set up your Placement Portfolio so that it is ready to present to your facility on your first day of placement.
Your NURSING Placement Portfolio (PDF 2.3MB)
Your MIDWIFERY Placement Portfolio (PDF 2.4MB)
Mandatory Checks
You need to ensure that you have completed the following mandatory checks by the deadline given by the Fit for Placement Team and that they are valid for the duration of your placement block.
UniSC has a responsibility to ensure all students comply with the mandatory checks (requirements) of placement sites and UniSC. It is essential that each student maintains their own personal process to manage paper and electronic documents associated with these checks. Many placement sites will ask to see hardcopy evidence of all checks on the first day of placement, so it is the responsibility of each student to be able to provide these on request. For additional information on how to complete each mandatory check, please click on the headings below which will direct you to any forms, websites, or other applicable information that you will need to complete the check. Once completed, please upload the relevant documentation to the 'Checks' tab in Sonia Online.
If you require further information, assistance or have experienced extreme circumstances resulting in a delay to submit any of these mandatory checks by the due dates, please contact the Fit For Placement Office by emailing ffpo@usc.edu.au
Click on each button below for more information about how to obtain the relevant check.
ALL STUDENTS
Blue Card / AHPRA Registration
Apply for a new Blue Card, link your existing card to UniSC, or upload your valid AHPRA registration.
CPR
To be eligible to attend your placement, you must hold a valid CPR certificate. You must maintain your CPR certificate for all placements.
iLearn Training Modules
You must complete all 6 x iLearn modules. Please follow the instructions in the iLearn module FAQ to create an iLearn account. Once your account is confirmed, complete the required modules and upload each certificate into Sonia Online under the Checks tab.
National Police Check (Australian Federal Police - Purpose Check 37)
Police Check applications can take up to 6 weeks to be processed. NB. Only Australian Federal Police certificates with Purpose Type 37 are accepted.
Respirator Fit Testing
It is a Queensland Government requirement that all students attending any placement in a health setting, clinical setting and residential aged care setting, are required to undertake respirator (mask) fit testing prior to commencing.
UniSC Code of Conduct
To be eligible to attend placement, you must complete the UniSC Code of Conduct by reading the document and Agreeing by submitting the electronic form. This is a per placement requirement.
UniSC Student Placement Agreement Forms
The Student Placement Agreement (SPA) consists of two mandatory electronic forms completed in your Sonia Online account before you attend your placement.
- Placement Disclosure Statement (Disclosing Health Conditions):
Available within 8 weeks of the first group commencing (as per the placement calendar). Only one placement disclosure statement is required per enrolment.
- Placement Details Agreement:
Available 1–2 weeks before placement commencing (per placement requirement).
You will receive an email when a Student Placement Agreement has been added to your Sonia Online > Forms.
NURSING STUDENTS ONLY
Annual Influenza Vaccination - MANDATORY FOR NUR117 & NUR141 STUDENTS ONLY (& as requested by sites for other students)
All first year students must have their annual influenza vaccination. This vaccination is usually available in March or April of each year. The FFPO will contact you advising when to have your vaccination. Please note: Some placement host organisations may require students to have an influenza vaccination before attending.
NDIS Worker Screening Card
To be eligible for placement you must hold a valid NDIS Worker Screening Card or valid Yellow Card
MIDWIFERY STUDENTS ONLY
First Aid (& upon request from site for other students)
To be eligible to attend your Midwifery placement, you are required to hold a valid First Aid certificate. Please note: Some placement host organisations may require students to obtain a First Aid certificate before attending.
1ST YEAR STUDENTS - ENROLLED IN NUR117, NUR141 OR HLT132
Vaccinations - Carelever Health Compliance Record
All required vaccinations must be completed prior to placement. Vaccinations can take up to 12 months to complete the full vaccination courses. Upload evidence of vaccination compliance certificate obtained from Carelever Comply.
2ND AND 3RD YEAR STUDENTS
TB Screening
To be eligible for placement you must complete a Queensland Health TB Risk Assessment. If required, you also need to provide evidence of further testing.
Vaccinations
All required vaccinations must be complete prior to placement. Vaccination courses can take up to 12 months to complete.
ALL STUDENTS ATTENDING A HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICE
Queensland Health Orientation Checklist and Queensland Health Student Deed Poll
A Queensland Health Student Orientation Checklist AND a Queensland Health Deed Poll must be completed for each placement. You will receive an email from the Fit for Placement team 2 weeks prior to your Qld Health Placement with instructions on how to complete these requirements and upload them into Sonia Online.
SUNSHINE COAST HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICE SITE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
All students attending SCHHS must complete all of the above requirements as well as the following additional requirements:
SCHHS Site Specific Pre-Placement Requirements
Students attending a Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service facility will need to complete all Student Minimum Pre-Placement Requirements which are SCHHS site specific checks, iLearn and SC-Learning on Line (SC-LoL) training modules. You will be notified by the Fit for Placement Office if you are required to complete these mandatories. You must complete and print all documents and take to your first day of placement. Failure to have these documents will result in you being removed from placement.
SCHHS SC-LOL
You will receive an email from the Fit for Placement Office approximately 4 weeks prior to your start date of your Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service placement. This will include instructions on how to complete your SC-LOL Training Modules, iLearn Training Modules and your Student Minimum Requirements Form.
METRO NORTH HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICE SITE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
All students attending MNHHS must complete all of the above requirements as well as the following additional requirements:
MNHHS Site Specific Pre-Placement requirements
Students attending a Metro North Hospital and Health Service facility will need to complete all Student Pre-Placement Requirements which are MNHHS site specific checks. You will be notified by the Fit for Placement Office if you are required to complete these mandatories. Once completed you must upload the documents to Sonia Online via a form and print all documents and take to your first day of placement. Failure to have these documents will result in you being removed from placement.
OTHER SITE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
COVID-19 Vaccination Evidence
Some placement host organisations may still require COVID-19 vaccination now or in the future. If you are not fully vaccinated, it is important to know that placement opportunities in this program may be limited.
Log into Sonia Online > Checks tab and follow the instructions to upload your COVID-19 vaccination evidence.
PLEASE NOTE: You will be granted full access to Sonia Online, once you have been enrolled into your program.
Student Responsibilities
Student's responsibility prior to and during clinical placement is to organise the following:
- Transport to and from placement
- Child Care
- Time off work for placement
- ALL Mandatory Requirements must be completed prior to placement and kept up to date throughout
It is the responsibility of each student to ensure their mandatory documents are current and that the originals are available for sighting on request from UniSC or Placement Staff.
As per the Workplace and Industry Placement Procedures, a student who cannot meet the mandatory requirements before commencement of the placement, will not be allowed to attend placement.
Please note: 'Mandatory Pre-Clinical Checks' are not the same as the online learning modules required by individual facilities prior to commencement of placement.
You may still need to check Canvas for additional information, and some facility information may be provided via additional emails. If you believe any of the content is incorrect please contact the placement coordinator.
To access information and forms relating to your Mandatory Checks please click on the above 'Mandatory Checks'.
Student Clinical Placement Handbooks
The Handbook provides students with important information about clinical placements, professional requirements, teaching and learning, health and wellbeing and using Sonia Online. It is the student’s responsibility to read and understand the contents of the handbook, this should be done before every placement as the content of the handbook does change over time. Not being aware of the contents of the handbook may impact on the successful completion of placement.
NURSING Student Clinical Placement Handbook (PDF 1.092MB)
MIDWIFERY Student Clinical placement Handbook (PDF 1MB)
Demonstration Recordings
Please find the recordings of clinical skills in the below link so you can revise them in preparation for your clinical placement.
Access Demonstration Recordings (PDF 538KB)
Clinical Practice Framework
The Clinical Practice Framework outlines the student's scope of practice and provides information about the CICO (Check In/Check Out) process, program enrolment pattern and learning activities. It is the student’s responsibility to read and understand the contents of the framework, this should be done before every placement. Not being aware of the contents of this document may impact on the successful completion of placement.
NURSING Clinical Practice Framework (PDF 289KB)
MIDWIFERY Clinical Practice Framework (PDF 277KB)
Regional and Remote Placement Process
The below guide provides a complete overview of the regional and remote placement process, including eligibility, how to apply, scholarships and financial aid, what to do once you have a regional or remote placement, an essential placement checklist, etc.
Regional and Remote Placement Guide (PDF 766KB)
While on clinical placement and in clinical labs, students are required to wear the designated uniform for the discipline. Details of the designated uniform can be found in the FAQ’s below.
NURSING Students
MIDWIFERY Students
Clinical Placement Calendars
Placements will be arranged in full-time blocks, students can review placement group dates and placement block periods for the academic year. This provides an overview of when students will be expected to be available for placement. It is important to note that holidays should not be booked within the placement block periods.
2024 UniSC NURSING Clinical Placement Calendar (PDF 382KB)
2024 UniSC MIDWIFERY Placement Calendar (PDF 290KB)
Facilitator Resources
The Workbook provides Clinical Facilitators with important information about UniSC program structures, clinical placements, key contacts, roles and responsibilities, teaching and learning, tools for clinical learning, clinical assessment, uniforms, assessor guides and resources. It is important to read over the contents of the handbook before every placement, as the content of the handbook does change over time.
Clinical Facilitator Workbook (PDF 1.1MB)
Announcements
Login to Sonia Online
To login to Sonia Online:
Select your role
(i.e. Student / Site / Supervisor)
- Student: University Sign In
- Site Contact: Username and Password
- Supervisor: University Sign In (for UniSC employees), Username and Password (for external employees)