Griffith Health students in the following degrees are required to undergo TB screening and assessment in order to undertake the placements that are a required component of their degree program.
- School of Medicine students
- School of Dentistry and Oral Health students
- School of Nursing and Midwifery students
- School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science students
- School of Biomolecular and Physical Science students.
Students in the School of Pharmacy are strongly recommended to undergo TB screening.
Griffith Health arranges for students in these degrees to undergo free TB screening and assessment on-campus at the beginning of Semester 1. The screening will be performed by Queensland Health's Tuberculosis Control Centre staff.
Students from the School of Public Health, Psychology or Human Services and Social Work can make their own arrangements through the QLD Health Specialised Health Services on ph (07) 3896 3963 or (07) 3896 3955. A monthly visiting service to the Gold Coast hospital is operated by this unit. Alternatively, students can make their own arrangements at:
- Specialised Health Services Building (Building 37)
Princess Alexandra Hospital Complex
Gate 1, Cornwall St,
Annerley Qld 4103
BRISBANE
2012 screening and assessment
The QTBCC will be on Gold Coast campus in May to conduct Mantoux screening for those students who missed out on the Semester One Screenings. This screening is open to QIBT Nursing, physiotherapy, nursing, speech pathology, pharmacy and exercise physiology students.
| Dates: | Tuesday 29th AND Thursday 31st May (students MUST attend both days) |
| Location: | G33 1.63 |
| Time: | 10am to 2pm |
Please contact your Clinical Placements Officer for more information.
Screening and assessment consists of two x 30 minute appointments on two separate days that occur 48 hours apart. Students must attend BOTH days to complete the screening and assessment. Please refer to the screening and assessment process below for further information.
Screening and assessment process
Appointment 1 - Screening
The first 30 minute appointment screens for tuberculosis by a Mantoux test. The Mantoux test involves injecting a small amount of tuberculin, a purified protein derived from the TB germ (but contains no active TB germs) into the top layer of the skin on the inside of the left forearm.
Appointment 2 - Assessment
The second 30 minute appointment is to have the Mantoux test read (i.e. a reading of the reaction to the injection of tuberculin) and to be vaccinated with the BCG vaccine (BCG vaccination is not compulsory). Prior to BCG vaccination a student should discuss contraindications with their medical practitioner. Contraindications to BCG vaccination are given in the latest edition of the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
There must be at least 48 hours between the first appointment and the second appointment; therefore students must attend their assigned 30 minute timeslot on both days.
Students must bring their Immunisation and Health Record form to the assessment appointment for completion of the TB section by a Queensland Health staff member.
If a student does not attend the second appointment they will not complete the screening and assessment for TB and will be required to arrange their own appointment with the Queensland Tuberculosis Control Centre to be screened again (with assessment 48 hours after screening).
There are hundreds of Griffith Health students being screening over the two days, therefore students are to turn up for the screening 10 minutes before their scheduled timeslot and ensure they keep the majority of the day free just in case they have to wait a time before being screened/assessed.
If a student is under 18 years of age Queensland Health may require a letter written and signed by a parent giving consent for the student to be screened and vaccinated (vaccination is optional). If a student is under 18 they are to bring a letter of consent from a parent to both screening days, giving permission for the student to undergo TB screening/assessment and vaccination, or just TB screening/assessment.
Additional information
- Queensland Health TB screening factsheets (refer to fact sheets 1, 4 and 5).
- Queensland Tuberculosis Control Centre