Griffith University

Succeeding on a placement

1. Ensure your dress and personal presentation meets the requirements and the expectations of the facility/school. Be punctual to your placement.
2. Impress patient/clients and the facility by demonstrating strong work ethics and work habits.
3. Approach the placement with enthusiasm, and a positive attitude.
4. Get to know the facility well, and become familiar with its services and products, as well as its limitations. This will assist you to better help patient/clients.
5. Become well acquainted with your supervisor, professional persons working at or for the facility, and other staff members. You will need their assistance from time to time.
6. Ask lots of questions under the appropriate circumstances/environment; this is one of the most effective ways of learning.
7. Know the limits of your student role and scope of practice. If something is not known, you are advised to ask questions and seek further information.
8. Do not get involved in office gossip or politics. Focus on the learning objectives of your placement.
9. At times you may find working constantly with patient/clients’ problems or dealing with difficult people very draining emotionally. Acknowledge this and seek de-briefing either with your supervisor or another professional colleague(s). Make sure you do not breach patient/client confidentiality in this process.
10. Be diplomatic if you are putting forward suggestions especially with regard to aspects of professional/administrative practice, as facility personnel may be comfortable with their standard procedures.
11. Set realistic objectives for yourself to achieve during your placement.
12. Use time-management techniques to focus on your tasks, thereby gaining the most out of your placement.
13. It is acceptable to say ‘no’ to unreasonable requests/demands.
14. Know your right to respect, guidance, support and a fair and accurate assessment of your performance. Refer to the Griffith University Student Charter.
    
15. Maintain a positive attitude towards patient/clients. They observe you closely and are often affected by your behaviour.
16. Conduct yourself in a professional manner and observe the relevant code of ethics.
17. Actively demonstrate that you are safe, can make decisions and take action commensurate to your theoretical preparation and scope of practice.
18. Communicate with your supervisor before undertaking any assessment or treatment of a patient/client or starting any new activity not already checked by the supervisor.
19. Communicate frequently with your supervisor and inform them of any change in the situation concerning a patient/client.
20. Take responsibility for your own actions, discuss learning needs and concerns with your supervisor, continually reflect on your performance and ensure you obtain adequate feedback on your performance from your supervisor.