Fitness to practise while on placement
As a student of the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, you will be required to provide care to patients and clients from a diverse range of backgrounds as part of your practical placements.
It is the University's duty to provide you with the necessary support to become a safe practitioner who is able to offer a professional level of care to their clients. This includes being both physically and mentally able to undertake the demands of your intended profession, as well as being able to demonstrate you have the necessary knowledge, skills and professional behaviours expected of student practitioners at the respective stage of your program of study.
The University's Fitness To Practise policy (PPL 3.30.14) aims to provide standards of behaviour and conduct, while helping to identify potential concerns early on, balancing student needs with patient safety, and safeguarding the University and its placement providers.
The policy provides a framework within which the University will manage any Fitness to Practise concerns.
Fitness to Practise at UQ
UQ's Fitness to Practise framework is designed to promote early intervention, and includes a broad range of factors:
Conduct | Conduct outside the bounds considered acceptable or worthy of the membership of the profession |
Performance | Performance that is not consistent with the profession’s established standards at the respective stage of your program |
Compliance | Disregard for, or are unable to meet, the rules, regulations or standards for practising as a member of the profession or for undertaking practical placement with a placement provider |
Health | A disability or health condition that impairs your capacity to practise as required by the profession |
Do you have a temporary or permanent condition which could impact upon your fitness to practise?
If you are concerned that you may have difficulty fulfilling the minimum requirements of your program you are encouraged to contact the Program Director or Course Coordinator to discuss what reasonable adjustments may be possible by completing a Student Access Plan (SAP).
Any agreed adjustments must be made in consultation with UQ Student Services – Disability and must not compromise the safety and well-being of the student or client, nor prevent you from demonstrating the necessary knowledge and skills for independent professional practice.
It is important to note that if your performance, behaviour or condition poses a serious concern for the welfare of yourself or others, or is unreasonably disruptive to the community in which you are learning, or results in an inability to meet the requirements of a placement, the University may require that your studies be interrupted or, in cases where remediation is impracticable, discontinued.
Contact your School directly if you have any concerns of questions in relation to your fitness to practise.
Professional behaviour
As well as possessing the appropriate skills and knowledge, the University has standards for behaviour and conduct while studying a professional program and undertaking practical placements. You are expected to conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the University’s Student Code of Conduct as well as any relevant codes or guidelines issued by the Faculty, discipline professional body, registering authority or placement providers.
Expected behaviours include but are not limited to:
- attending all teaching sessions and completing any academic requirements set by the School or placement provider
- avoiding unprofessional behaviour (including on social media websites)
- being honest and trustworthy in all matters
- being responsible for your own health
- respecting and protecting confidential information
- respecting the views of others, even when they differ from your own
- seeking clarification on a policy or other University directive that you find unclear
- taking advantage of all learning/development opportunities
- treating all persons with respect and without discrimination