As part of the 'whole of government' approach to child protection, the NSW Department of Health requires all students in health related courses to undergo a criminal record check. The criminal record check shall be completed before a student can attend any clinical placement in a Public Health facility.

Students need to give their consent to such a check and will submit a signed consent form through the University. Consent forms are available from universities. Checks are done through the Police Service and coordinated by the Department of Health. When the check is completed, the student will be issued with a Clearance Card which has to be produced whenever they attend a clinical placement. The Card must not be photocopied or duplicated in any way. Lost, mislaid or mutilated Clearance Cards are replaced on application from the student with payment of a fee.

If a student receives a positive result from the check, it will not necessarily exclude them from a clinical placement. Each situation will be individually assessed in a confidential consultation between the student and a representative of the Department of health.

An additional requirement came into effect with new child protection legislation enacted in July 2000. The University will provide another form to the student called the Prohibited Employment Declaration. The Declaration must also be completed prior to any clinical placement. The completed and signed declaration is returned to the University and will be held by us. The Health Department does not issue or administer this form.

Infectious Diseases

Students required to complete clinical training in the NSW hospital system will be subject to various guidelines and procedures laid down for health workers by the NSW Department of Health, including guidelines regarding infectious diseases.

In the hospital system, you will be exposed to a large number and variety of individuals, some of whom may have a communicable disease such as tuberculosis, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, HIV or Hepatitis B. This may place you at risk of acquiring one of these diseases. In other cases, if you have a communicable disease, you may place your clients at risk.

For your protection, and for the protection of your potential clients, you are recommended to have vaccinations before you begin clinical work. Evidence of your vaccination status may be required by certain clinical placements/agencies before attendance. If your vaccinations are incomplete, opportunities for placement may be limited and your progress in the course could be affected.

Some categories of health care workers - nurses, doctors, dentists, dental technicians, podiatrists and physiotherapists - also have regulated individual responsibility with regard to infection control. You should familiarise yourself with these responsibilities.

Health care workers who are either HIV antibody positive, or Hepatitis B e-antigen or Hepatitis B DNA positive, or Hepatitis C PCR positive, must not perform exposure prone procedures. Expert medical advice should be obtained by infected people on their infectious status and the extent to which this may limit their clinical practice.