Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Rehabilitation)

Workplace learning

Up to 500 hours of clinical placement is required to meet course requirements. These hours are dispersed amongst healthy and clinical patients as stated in ESSA Exercise Physiology accreditation guidelines:

• a minimum of 140 hours with apparently healthy persons AND
• a minimum of 360 hours with clinical patients divided among specific categories of:

• a minimum of 140 hours with cardiopulmonary / metabolic patients
• a minimum of 140 hours with musculoskeletal / neurological patients
• a maximum of 80 hours with other clinical health patients e.g. mental health, cancer, cardiac screening, etc.

Students with graduate entry membership with ESSA will receive credit for the 140 hours of placement with aparently healthy persons and will only be required to complete the 360 hours of clinical placement to meet course requirements.

NOTE: A total of 500 hours of placement MUST be completed within the course in order to be eligible to graduate. No recognition of prior learning or credit can be provided towards the 360 hours of clinical placement hours as these must be completed with the course to meet ESSA accreditation requirements.

Requirements to undertake clinical placements

Apply First Aid and CPR Certificate

All students are required to have current Apply First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificates from an accredited body (Workcover approved) before undertaking clinical placements. Also be aware that CPR must be renewed annually.

NOTE: As many courses include a clinical practicum in the first session, students are advised to complete their Apply First Aid and CPR Certificates prior to commencement of their first year of study.

National Police Clearance and Working with Children Check

The Department of Health in NSW, and most other states, currently require all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement, to undergo criminal record checks. The checks are intended to identify people who have convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, who may put patients/clients personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.

All students must therefore have a Criminal Record Clearance prior to placement in any capacity in the NSW Health system and most other State organisations. Prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a Criminal Record Clearance will make it impossible to complete this course satisfactorily as it will not be possible to arrange suitable clinical placements.

In addition, all students are required to complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration indicating whether or not they are a prohibited person under the Child Protection Act 1998.

If you have any queries regarding these requirements, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Coordinator.

Immunisation - Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Infectious Diseases

NSW Health is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all clients in health care settings and providing a safe and healthy working environment for all staff and other clinical personnel, including students. This commitment includes adopting an assessment, screening and vaccination policy Occupational Assessment Screening and Vaccination Against Specific Infectious Diseases (PD2007_006) that minimises the risk of acquiring infectious diseases. Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement.

All students must undergo vaccination against infectious diseases prior to placement within the NSW Health System, and most other Australian State Health Systems. Results of these vaccinations are kept on a personal record card (available from the School through which the student is studying). This card must be presented, upon request, by NSW Health, or other State Health staff, whilst the student is on placement.

The Policy requires that you consult your local doctor to obtain written proof of protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox and hepatitis B.

NOTE: It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the requirements of this policy have been met, and failure to comply with the requirements may interrupt completion of your studies.

As a full course of vaccinations may take several months to complete, you are advised to consult your local medical practitioner well in advance of the commencement of your clinical experience placement. Please contact your medical practitioner to identify your local TB screening provider and ensure the screening is completed prior to your first clinical placement.

NOTE: As many courses involve clinical practicums in the first semester of study, the hepatitis B immunisation should be commenced early, in order for full immunisation status to be attained prior to clinical placements and so meet NSW Health requirements.

Further information is available from NSW Health

Additional Costs

The following costs associated with clinical placements are not included in course fees and will need to be directly funded by the student:

• Apply First Aid and CRP certificates
• obtaining criminal record clearance
• immunisations
• uniforms for clinical placement
• any travel and/or accommodation expenses
• any equipment required for clinical practice e.g. stethoscope, heart rate monitor, tape measure etc.