Professional practice

Mandatory requirements for professional practice

To be eligible to attend professional practice, you must meet the mandatory requirements set out by both the Department of Health (WA) and clinical placement sites throughout Western Australia.

Please be aware that it can take several months to obtain the required documentation.  You are therefore encouraged to start immediately in order to meet deadlines. If mandatory requirements are not met, you will not be eligible to continue in the professional practice course.

For more information on how you can prepare for professional practice, please access the professional practice brochure.

If you have any questions, please email nursing.professionalpractice@nd.edu.au or call 08 9433 0260.

Policy and considerations

Mandatory requirements

The following are required to be eligible for professional practice:

  1. Student Health Record
  2. Vaccinations and Proof of Immunity
  3. National Police Certificate (NPC)
  4. First Aid Certificate (includes CPR)
  5. CPR Refresher (Required only if First Aid previously completed within 3 years but greater than 12 months ago)
  6. Manual Handling
  7. Hand Hygiene
  8. Department of Health (DoH) Criminal Screening Card
  9. Professional Practice Student Declaration
  10. COVID and Influenza Vaccinations
  11. Mask Fit Test- check if needed
  12. NDIS Worker Screening Check

  • Student Health Record

    As per the Registered Nurse Standards for Practice registered nurses and student nurses must maintain continuous physical and mental fitness for safe practice. Please consult the Inherent Requirements/Fitness for Practice and Job Demand Checklist to ensure you meet all the necessary criteria. Students will be asked to declare their health history so that support and considerations can be provided for their professional practice. This document will be available through Sonia at the start of the semester.

  • Vaccinations and Proof of Immunity

    You are required to show evidence of protection against vaccine preventable diseases (VPD).  Students may have already received some, or all, of these vaccinations.

    It is recommended that students visit the GP and take their childhood immunisation records (Medicare Immunisation Statement) and any blood test results to the GP appointment.

    The following list outlines the required vaccines and proof of immunity required to attend professional practice. For more information, please refer to the Department of Health (WA) Health Care Worker Immunisation Policy

    At commencement of the nursing program, students will be provided with the UNDA Immunisation Record, that the GP will need to complete.

    Disease

    What is Required

    Important Information

    Tuberculosis (TB)

    A recent screening (Mantoux or QuantiFERON Gold)

    Test result must have been collected within the last 12 months.

    Positive TB result, must be followed up with an appointment at the Anita Clayton Chest Clinic

    Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

    Evidence of MMR immunity OR proof of two MMR vaccinations

    If you are not immune, allow at least 4 weeks between vaccinations

    Varicella (Chickenpox)

    Evidence of Varicella immunity OR proof of two Varicella vaccinations

    If you are not immune, allow at least 4 weeks between vaccinations

    Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis (dTpa)

    One documented dose of adult diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (dTpa) vaccine in the last 10 years

    		 

    Hepatitis B

    Documented evidence of a completed, age-appropriate course of hepatitis B vaccine

    including serological evidence of hepatitis B immunity

    OR

    Commencement of course of hepatitis B vaccine

    Blood test is recommended first to check immunity. If not immune, commence 3 doses.

  • National Police Certificate

    You are required to obtain a National Police Certificate. You can apply for a National Police Certificate through WA Police or CVCheck.

    The National Police Certificate must be within the last 12 months, and you will be asked to provide a more current copy annually or as per clinical placement site requirements.

    Students with a criminal history

    If you have any criminal history or pending charges on your police certificate, you may be required to share more information with the professional practice team.

  • First Aid Certificate

    Provide First Aid (HLTAID003 or HLTAID011) is valid for 3 years and contains a CPR component that is valid for 1 year.

    Fully online courses will not be accepted.

    Click here for a list of recommended providers for this course.

  • CPR refresher

    Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) must be updated annually and is only required if the first aid course was completed more than 12 months ago.

    Fully online courses will not be accepted.

    Click here for a list of recommended providers for this course.

  • Manual Handling

    Manual Handling must be updated annually and must be nursing specific and consist of theory and practical components. Fully online courses will not be accepted.

    Click here for a list of recommended providers for this course.

  • Hand Hygiene

    In line with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, all students must complete hand hygiene training as a priority in preventing infections related to health care. Details for hand hygiene will be provided during semester.

  • Department of Health (DoH) Criminal Screening Card

    Department of Health (WA) and private healthcare facilities require a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check before attending professional practice. For more information please access the Criminal Record Screening FAQ.

  • Professional Practice Student Declaration

    Students are required to read, sign, and submit a professional practice student declaration. The declaration outlines responsibilities and expectations of students who are attending clinical placement. This declaration will be provided at the beginning of each semester.

  • COVID and Influenza vaccinations

    It is strongly recommended that all students receive an annual influenza vaccine and 3 COVID vaccinations. It is a condition of entry at some clinical placement sites that students will provide evidence of this.

  • Mask Fit Test

    To be confirmed if needed.

    Click here for a list of recommended providers for this course.

  • NDIS Worker Screening Check

    Students are required to apply for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Worker Screening Check.

    The NDIS Worker Screening Check is a nationwide screening process that assists NDIS providers to assess whether an individual who works or seeks to work with people with disabilities presents an unacceptable risk of harm.  Online application is available through the DoTDirect portal and information will be provided to students at the beginning of semester on how to apply.

Uniforms

Uniforms can be purchased from JFE or Nell Gray, find out more on how to order.

We recommend you purchase at least two uniforms as these will be worn every day during your placement and Simulation Tutorials.

To order through JFE, please click here.

To order through Nell Gray please click here for size guide for tops, size guide for pants and order forms.