This is the Clinical Placement system used by the Medical Laboratory Science 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;
  • selecting placement group preferences;
  • uploading and viewing pre-clinical documentation.

On this page:

Financial Support

Financial Support opportunities while you are on placement 

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 the appropriate buttons below to be directed to information relating to each specific check.

ALL STUDENTS

Blue Card  

Apply for a new card or link your existing card to UniSC

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.

PrePlace  

PrePlace is a series of three online modules located on Canvas that you must complete once, prior to your placement. Enrolment to PrePlace is an automated process, so is directly related to your course enrolment. If you are not yet officially enrolled in a placement course, the auto process cannot be triggered. Once you enrol in your placement course the process will happen overnight and PrePlace will then be available to you.

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.

Vaccination Evidence  

All required vaccinations must be complete prior to placement. Vaccinations can take up to 12 months to complete the full vaccination courses.

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.

Pathology Queensland Requirements  

To be eligible for a Pathology Qld placement you must complete these forms

QML Pathology Online Induction  

To be eligible for a QML pathology placement, you must complete the QML online induction program, prior to attending any QML Pathology site.

You will be notified by the Placement Officer if you are required to complete these mandatories.

Queensland Health Pre-Placement Requirements  

To be eligible for a Queensland Health placement you must complete the following Queensland Health checks and iLearn training modules (iLearn User Guide ):

- Queensland Health Orientation Checklist
- Queensland Health Student Deed Poll

Respirator Fit Testing  

It is a Queensland Government requirement that all students attending any placement in a health or clinical setting are required to undertake respirator (mask) fit testing prior to commencing.

PLEASE NOTE: You will be granted full access to Sonia Online, once you have been enrolled into your program.

Contact Us

If you require further information or assistance with submitting any of these mandatory checks please contact the Fit For Placement Office on the details below:

Fit For Placement Office
Building H1.G
Tel: +61 7 5456 5487
Email: ffpo@usc.edu.au  
 
Alternatively, if you have experienced extreme circumstances resulting in a delay to submit any of these mandatory checks by the due dates, please contact your Placement Officer on the details below:

Amanda Grant
Phone:  07 5430 1103
Email: SHSSPlacements@usc.edu.au

Aileen Spalding
Phone:  07 5456 3753
Email: SHSSPlacements@usc.edu.au

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 Medical Laboratory Science Placement Calendar (PDF 327 KB) 


Regional and Remote

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) 


Student Responsibilities

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.

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.


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)

Sonia for Students App

Download the Sonia for Students App:

Apple iTunes for IOS
Google Play for Android

Sonia for Students App instructional video

Sonia Support

For technical support:

Email: USCSoniaSupport@usc.edu.au