Clinical Placements are an important part of healthcare education, giving students an opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes they are taught by their education providers in a clinical setting.
Clinical Student Placements are arranged by University and TAFE education providers via Placeright. South West Healthcare has placement agreements with numerous universities and most student enquiries should be directed to us through the education provider.
As a teaching hospital we recognise that the people who use our services are at the heart of the student learning and we encourage consumers to support students as observers and participants in their care.
The opportunity for students to experience real care and learn from the diverse mix of consumers who interact with our services provides a critical opportunity for students to translate theory into practice.
Consumers may sometimes feel inconvenienced by the presence of students, however their interests – and those of the community at large – are ultimately served by learners being educated about high quality care in a high quality clinical learning environment.
Consumers are encouraged to provide feedback about their experiences and we welcome suggestions for improving our teaching activities. Consumers must be asked if they are willing to let a student examine participate in or observe their care.
Consumers are under no obligation to participate in either teaching or research and whether they agree or refuse, it must have no effect on the treatment and care they receive.
We welcome the energy and diversity students bring and they are encouraged to be actively engaged in their learning to ensure they make the most of the opportunity.
We want your experience to be challenging, but safe. You should gain the confidence with us to apply their contemporary learning, challenge practice and reflect on their performance. Students have a responsibility to:
We have an enthusiastic team of educators who support internal training delivery, teach clinical skills, supervise students in formal programs and support the development of staff and students.
We seek to ensure that students are well oriented to their environment and their placement team, are appropriately assessed, and receive individual training.
There are established systems for communication and feedback with students and our aim is to provide high-quality and consistent supervision by experienced clinical educators and supervisors.
South West Healthcare is a teaching site for the Deakin Medical School. Students complete their training at Warrnambool during their third and fourth year.
South West Healthcare provides students with the opportunity to gain insight into South West Healthcare as an organisation and gain experience in the healthcare industry.
The opportunities are diverse, including clinical, business, trades and hospitality placements. Local schools Work Experience Co-ordinators are the first point of contact to arrange a placement.
All students must provide evidence of the following documents to their Education Provider prior to your placement. We will check Placeright to ensure these are up to date. If they are not- we will contact you.
Immunisation Status
All students must provide evidence of immunity to the following condition (immunisation record or serology):
National Police Record Check
Students are required to have a valid National Police Record Check. Your education provider must have sighted this prior to placement. The check must be:
Working with Children’s Check
All students aged 18 years or older are required to maintain a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) for the duration of their Clinical Placement. Your education provider must have sighted this prior to placement.
Hand Hygiene and N95 Fit Testing
All students must provide evidence of completing the National Hand Hygiene certificate and any fit testing completed within the last 12 months.
Warrnambool accommodation options map view:
Popular Tourist Accommodation in Warrnambool
There are numerous Airbnb’s, holiday cabins and hotel accommodation available online. Many holiday parks and hotels offer corporate rates if you enquire on booking. Below is a list of some of the more affordable/popular options when looking online:
Deakin Rural Health (open to all universities)
Deakin Rural Health offer affordable fully furnished share housing for students on placement from all universities.
Deakin University Residential Services (open to all universities)
Deakin’s Warrnambool Campus offers short term accommodation to students completing placements.
Private Accommodation Options
For a list of of privately run accommodation options please contact the clinical placement team. You will need to contact the hosts directly to check availability. Note: This is a private arrangement between yourself and the host and the fees you are charged may/may not be negotiable.
Accommodation in Camperdown
Travelling to and around Warrnambool
Car, train or bus are the easiest methods to travel to Warrnambool. Trains depart regularly from Melbourne and Geelong, with buses travelling from other regional towns. For timetables refer to Vline: https://www.vline.com.au/
If you do not have a car to move around Warrnambool, buses are available. For routes and timetables refer to Transit South West: https://www.transitsw.com.au/
Car Parking at SWH Warrnambool Campus
For current information please read the car parking page. There is reduced parking around the health service due to ongoing construction. There is a free shuttle bus that transports staff and students from the showgrounds to the health service.
On street parking is available free of charge, however most car parking surrounding the campus has 2 hour time restrictions which must be observed. All day car parking is available a short walk away.
Camperdown Campus
Car or train are the easiest methods to travel to Camperdown. Trains depart regularly from Melbourne and Geelong. For timetables refer to Vline: https://www.vline.com.au/
Free all day parking is available in the car park opposite the hospital in Robinson Street.
For all Warrnambool students, you will need to obtain a SWH Identification Swipe Card. This will permit you access to wards, offices and staff areas. It is your responsibility to return your swipe card on the last day of your placement in order to avoid being invoiced for a replacement.
Please note Camperdown students will not be required to obtain a SWH swipe card.
Warrnambool Campus:
Camperdown Campus:
South West Healthcare has on onsite library and librarian. Access is on the mezzanine floor near the Frank Lodge Function room. There are a range of electronic journals, books and computers for you to access. There are a large number of desks and work stations if you need somewhere quiet to work as well as comfy couches unwind when off the wards. During your placement you will have 24 hour access to the library.
If your university uses eduroam for WIFI, you will have access to the eduroam internet onsite, including in the library.
Find out more: South West Healthcare Library
South West Healthcare has an Employee Assistance Program serviced by trained counsellors which is also available to students. Should you wish to access the service please speak with your supervisor or clinical educator.
DO NOT ATTEND PLACEMENT and contact your supervisor if you have any of the following symptoms:
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please contact your supervisor who will advise the relevant course or action in line with COVID-19 protocols applicable at the time of placement. It is important that you remain offsite for the required period of isolation (if COVID-19 positive) AND until your symptoms have fully resolved.
If you are a COVID-19 close contact, you may attend shifts ONLY if you meet the below criteria.
Close contacts must undertake pre-shift RATs for seven days from suspected COVID-19 close contact.