This is the Clinical Placement system used by the Occupational Therapy 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:

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.

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 

Apply for a new card or link your existing card to UniSC. (Note: it is highly recommended that you apply for a Combined Blue Card and NDIS Worker Screening card if you do not currently hold either of these. A combined card is valid for 5 years and you will therefore not be required to renew these during the course of your program).

First Aid and CPR 

To be eligible to attend your placement, you are required to hold a current CPR and First Aid certificate.

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.

NDIS Worker Screening Card 

To be eligible for placement you must hold a valid NDIS Worker Screening Card or valid Yellow Card. (Note: it is highly recommended that you apply for a Combined Blue Card and NDIS Worker Screening card if you do not currently hold either of these. A combined card is valid for 5 years and you will there not be required to renew these during the course of your program).

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)
- Placement Details Agreement
Available 1–2 weeks prior to 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.


2ND YEAR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN OCC201, OCC202, AND OCC232

Annual Influenza Vaccination 

Evidence of an annual influenza vaccination is required each year, when the new vaccine becomes available. This is usually in March or April. Please wait until the new strain is available each year before you have another vaccine.

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.


ALL STUDENTS ATTENDING A HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICE FACILITY

Allied Health Training Record 

Allied Health students are required to complete the training form for each placement. If you are required to complete this training form for your placement, it will appear in Sonia Online. This will only show up if it is mandatory for you.

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.

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.

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.

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.


ALL STUDENTS ATTENDING A SUNSHINE COAST HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICE FACILITY

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 and the 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.

SC-LOL Training Modules 

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 and your Student Minimum Requirements Form.


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.

Hand Hygiene Certificate 

Some placement host organisations may require students to obtain the hand hygiene certificate. You will be notified by the Fit for Placement Office if you are required to complete this mandatory.

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

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.

Contact the Placement Office

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

Jennifer MacNevin
Phone:  07 5456 5036
Email: SHSSPlacements@usc.edu.au

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.


Placement Calendar

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 Occupational Therapy Placement Calendar (PDF 341 KB) 


Uniforms

Occupational Therapy students are required to wear the UniSC Occupational Therapy Uniform to attend a clinical placement. The full uniform is to be worn on all placements unless otherwise indicated by the placement tutor or the Practice Educator/ placement site. When the uniform is not required, the dress standards of the setting should be adhered to.  

Placement Uniform Requirements 


PebblePad

Access to PebblePad 


Preferencing Briefing

2024 OCC401 Preferencing Briefing is now available for viewing.

2024 OCC401 Preferencing Briefing 


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