Information for Nursing Clinical Teachers

Clinical Teacher
RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide appropriate and competent clinical supervision in a teacher-student ratio of 1:8. This is excepted when a student is following a patient through a perioperative procedure, however, the Clinical Teacher must be contactable.

• Ensure students remain on the allocated ward/unit for the negotiated time to allow the unit to function with minimal disruption
• Negotiate any reallocating of students with Clinical placement Coordinator, in the Department of Nursing Education and Research
• Ensure both teachers and students have adequate orientation to the hospital and designated units
• Conduct student assessments ensure contactable by students, Nurse Unit Managers and RMH Clinical Placement Coordinator.
• Providing a roster of the students during their placement to the NUM
• Liaise with RMH Clinical Placement Coordinator
• Make an appointment to meet with the Unit Manager and provide an updated student list and clear clinical objectives at least one week prior to the clinical placement
• Discuss with Unit Manager times for debriefing/clinical conference
• Discuss the allocation of patients to students with ward staff, as they are responsible for their patients at all times
• Discuss with ward staff proposed teaching/learning opportunities for students that involve patients on the ward
• Discuss any learning needs the student may have during the placement with the staff
• Become familiar with hospital policies and procedures relating to nursing practice at RMH
• Ensure the university has a record of your current police check

USE OF FACILITIES
Every effort will be made to provide venues for clinical conference/debriefing sessions at requested times. It is expected that both students and Clinical Teacher s will take due care of hospital facilities, return borrowed equipment and/or keys, be conscious of not disturbing others and will not take food or drink into the conference rooms.

IDENTIFICATION
Authorised by the visiting institution is to be worn by all visiting clinical teaching staff at all times.

UNIFORMS are compulsory in areas of direct contact with patients and the public.

IMMUNISATION
Is recommended and should include Mantoux test, MMR, Hepatitis B vaccination, Post vaccination Hepatitis B antibody level, ADT (Tetanus/Diphtheria) as per 'Immunization Guidelines for Health Care Workers, October, 1998' Department of Human Services, Victoria.

ORIENTATION to the Royal Melbourne Hospital is strongly recommended and can be arranged through the Clinical Placement Coordinator.

MANUALS are available in each unit and these include a Patient Procedure Manual, Infection Control Manual and Emergency Manual.

CAFETERIA Meals and snacks are provided at moderate prices.

CLASSROOM & TUTORIAL ROOMS Can be booked for debriefing sessions through Hospital Management.

CAR PARKING is available at a moderate cost per day provided identification is shown to the cashier.

LIBRARY facilities are available to students, but LIBRARY loans are only available to students with reciprocal borrowing rights.

PHOTOCOPYING facilities are available from the LIBRARY at minimal cost.

PERIOPERATIVE EXPERIENCE
Can be arranged can be arranged for the student who wishes to follow a patient through a perioperative procedure. This can be organised by contacting the Operating Room Clinical Nurse Educator. When a student is following a patient through a perioperative procedure, the assigned Clinical Teacher must be contactable.

When placements are undertaken in the Operating Room, these should be for a minimum of one week, but preferably for two weeks.

Students on placement in the Operating Room must have some introductory theory to provide the fundamental knowledge that will prepare them for the clinical experience.

Students must have clear objectives for a placement in the Operating Room.

Students will be matched with a preceptor who will also conduct the assessment.
An appropriate assessment tool will be provided to the preceptor with the objectives at lease one week prior to the placement.

A RESUSCITATION MANNEQUIN AND AIR VIVA May be borrowed.

Undergraduate Orientation Booklet for Clinical Teachers - click here