Students & Clinical Placement

WGHG Students & Clinical Placement

WGHG Student Orientation Presentation

West Gippsland Healthcare Group (WGHG) provides nursing, midwifery, allied health and medical students with structured, hands-on learning experiences. These placements are designed to offer real-world exposure to clinical practice, helping students develop the skills, confidence, and understanding required for a successful career in healthcare.

The orientation and onboarding process for placements at WGHG is coordinated in collaboration with education providers. All students will receive essential details and resources from their Education Provider, and a welcome email from WGHG’s Learning and Development team.

Compliance Requirements

Before beginning a placement, students must meet all compliance requirements through their education provider. These include:

WGHG will coordinate directly with education providers to confirm compliance. No documentation should be sent directly to WGHG.

 

NDIS Screening Check

From 1 February 2021, an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance has been required for anyone working in “risk-assessed roles” for registered NDIS providers. This requirement may apply to students whose placements involve working directly with individuals with disabilities. Whether an NDIS check is needed depends on the policies of the student’s education provider.

Some education providers require all students to obtain an NDIS check, regardless of the placement type or location. Students should determine if this requirement applies to them and, if needed, apply as early as possible, as processing times can take up to eight weeks.

For more information or to apply, visit the NDIS Screening Application. (insert link – Victorian Government Services Online | Service Victoria)

Important Policies & Procedures

The following policies and procedures must be read and understood prior to commencing placement. On the Student Placement Undertaking Form you will agree that you have completed this.

Students undertaking placements at WGHG are able to gain access to diverse clinical areas, including:

  • Aged Care
  • Sub-Acute Care
  • Surgical & Day Surgery
  • Theatre
  • Medical Units
  • Haemodialysis
  • Emergency Department
  • Community
  • Paediatrics
  • Midwifery

Placement Hours

Placement hours depend on each discipline.

Nursing & Midwifery:

Placement hours at WGHG are determined by the Continuing Education Support Coordinator (CESC) and are influenced by various factors. Students are required to adhere to their allocated roster, which may include early starts, late finishes, night shifts, weekends, and public holidays.

Placement hours encompass a range of activities, including:

  • Direct Patient Contact: Providing hands-on clinical care and engaging with patients.
  • Educational Sessions: Attending hospital-led training sessions and learning activities.
  • Patient-Related Activities: Completing tasks that support patient care, such as documentation and preparation.

Students are expected to actively participate in all scheduled activities to maximise learning opportunities and fulfil placement requirements.
Any extenuating circumstances that may affect a student’s ability to meet their allocated hours must be discussed directly with their education provider in advance.

Allied Health:

Students hours will be set by their direct supervisor. You shall be forwarded their email address in an initial contact email, and are encouraged to contact your supervisor directly to confirm this information

 

Attendance

  • Students must adhere to their roster and remain present for the entire duration of each shift.
  • Attendance at all education sessions and clinical placement activities (e.g., debrief) is mandatory, provided they are rostered for that day.

Unplanned Leave

  • Absences due to illness or unforeseen circumstances must be communicated by phone to the clinical area at least 60 minutes before the scheduled start time.
  • Both the relevant CESC/Allied and community health educator and the education provider must be notified prior to the absence.

Missed Placement Days

  • Makeup days for missed placement must be organised in consultation with the student’s education provider and the relevant CESC/allied and community health educator/medical student liaison officer
  • Arranging makeup days is subject to availability and cannot always be guaranteed.

Accommodation

WGHG provides onsite accommodation with private rooms and shared amenities, which may be shared with other personnel.

Transport Options

  • Parking: Free onsite parking is available. Students must park in designated areas and allow extra time during busy shifts.
  • Public Transport: Warragul Station is the nearest train station, located approximately 1.3 km from the hospital.

Opportunities

All communication with WGHG regarding placement opportunities is managed directly through the education provider. Students interested in a placement at WGHG are encouraged to liaise with their education provider to initiate the process. The education provider will confirm if a partnership with WGHG is in place, assess WGHG’s capacity to support the placement, and coordinate the necessary arrangements.

Fellowships

WGHG has established Nursing fellowships with select education providers.
Benefits of the fellowship program include:

  • Advance Placement Details: Students receive information about upcoming placements well in advance for better planning and preparation.
  • Consolidated Placements: All placements, except mental health, are conducted at WGHG, ensuring continuity and familiarity with the organisation.
  • Workshops and Training: Multiple sessions are held throughout the course, tailored to the student’s level, learning needs, and career progression.
  • Specialty Area Exposure: Opportunities to gain experience in targeted clinical fields, broadening skills and knowledge.
  • Graduate Year Opportunities: Guaranteed interviews for WGHG’s graduate program.

Students interested in the fellowship program should contact their education provider for more information.

For placement-related inquiries, students should contact their education provider as the first point of contact. The education provider will liaise directly with WGHG if required.

If additional clarification is needed:

West Gippsland Hospital (Head Office)
Landsborough St, Warragul Victoria 3820
Ph: 03 5623 0611 Fax: 03 5623 0609
Email: info@wghg.com.au
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