Bachelor of Medical Science

Immunisation

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  undertaking workplace learning. 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 jeopardise 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.

PLEASE NOTE that, as many courses involve clinical  practicums in the first session 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.

National Criminal Record Check 

Students may be required to undergo a criminal record check and/or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration under the Child Protection Act 1998 as part of professional experience requirements. These checks are intended to identify people who might, because of convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, put students/clients' personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.

As such, prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a criminal record clearance or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration may limit practicum opportunities in some organisations and industries. Furthermore, criminal convictions involving violence or sexual offences may limit continued enrolment in a course and/or employment opportunities after completing the course.

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