Student Placements
Clinical Undergraduate Placement at Casterton Memorial Hospital
On behalf of the nursing division we look forward to your time at Casterton Memorial Hospital and hope it will be a productive and great learning experience for you.
The hospital is locked down at 5.00pm until 8.30am each day. You will be provided details on access at your orientation.
Commencement paperwork
The following documentation must be returned fully completed either in advance or at the latest on your first day of orientation. Students without completed documentation are unable to commence placement.
- Signed Agreement & Declaration – Student Placement
- Signed Position Description
- Signed Statutory Declaration Form
Uniform
Uniforms are arranged through your university, so please liaise directly with your course coordinator or placement officer regarding uniform requirements. Please ensure you bring your photo identification badge with you.
Immunisations
It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that they are current with all immunisations as recommended by the Australian Immunisation Handbook 2014 – Hepatitis B, Influenza, Polio, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Pertussis, Varicella. Students must sign the Agreement and Declaration – Student Placement form in the commencement package and return on their first day.
Rostering
Rosters are published on “Place Right”. Special roster requests can be discussed and directed to Manager of Nursing Services on (03) 5554 2555.
Attendance & Absenteeism
All students in Acute and Residential Care undertake a full day orientation on their first day from 0930 -1800 hours. This is usually the Monday, but it may be a Tuesday if a public holiday occurs that week.
All Community Health and Home Nursing students are to present as per their rostered shift.
SHIFT TIMES:
Acute and Residential Care (from December 2024)
0700 – 1530 hours (“A” or “M”)
1330 – 2200 hours (“B” or “E”)
2100 – 0730 hours (“G” or “N” – 3rd year students only)
Community Health and Home Nursing
0730 – 1600 hours (DM)
0800 – 1630 hours (CH)
0930 – 1800 hours (DE)
Students are to notify the hospital immediately on 03 5554 2555 if they are unable to attend their placement for any reason, or if they will be late arriving to their shift. The student should provide either a medical certificate or statutory declaration explaining their absence on their return.
Getting Here / Transport
Public transport in Casterton is bus through VLine. This service is from and to Melbourne. Please ENSURE YOU CHECK THE TIMETABLE. Bus times are different for weekends, and not all buses will connect with Casterton. Buses can arrive after midnight and your accommodation is several blocks from the bus stop.
CMH recommends you travel in the day if possible as there is no taxi service in the town. On your day of finishing, please discuss with the Nurse in Charge and they will ensure you finish duty in time to catch the bus.
Accommodation & Meals
CMH ACCOMMODATION (On-site):
Limited accommodation is available at a cost of $20 per night, per person and is in a self-contained house.
If you require accommodation, you must contact reception at [email protected] or phone (03) 5554 2555 as soon as possible to ensure it is booked. As this service is in demand, bookings are on a first come, first served basis.
All bedding is provided but if you prefer your own pillow or extra doona for warmth please bring it with you. We only charge for the nights you actually sleep over.
A laundromat is available in town.
For alternative accommodation in Casterton, please visit the Glenelg Shire’s accommodation guide:
We recommend to contact individual operators for rates, availability and exact pricing prior to your arrival.
MEALS @ CMH:
Meals are available for all students by ordering on the employee menu. Menus vary everyday and orders must be completed prior to 1030 hours for lunch and 1500 hours for tea. The menu is displayed in the dining room along with the price for each meal.
Payment for meals and accommodation in the Hospital House must be made prior to you finishing your placement.
Code of Conduct
The following are expectations of the student as a training healthcare professional.
- be punctual and reliable
- behave in a responsible, reliable and dependable manner
- project a professional image in your manner, dress, speech and interpersonal relationships
- treat other health professionals with respect and courtesy
- place concern for clients above personal requirements for study and social activities
- wear identification badges at all times
- be aware supervisors and other employees need to meet their daily work requirements in addition to providing learning opportunities for students
- be aware of, and follow, the guidelines of the Privacy Act especially when dealing with patients in order to protect their privacy.
Student Exit Survey
We also ask you to complete the Exit Survey when you have completed your placement which can be accessed by following the link below.
Things to do and see in Casterton
Photos by Anne Taylor, Associate Nurse Unit Manager at CMH
The Casterton township is nestled amongst the rolling hills and river red gums of the Glenelg River Valley, 359 Km west of Melbourne and 42 Km east of the South Australian border.
Doing a placement at CMH presents an opportunity to advance your career while maintaining a great lifestyle and work / life balance. You will be close to the Gariwerd (Grampians) National Park and beautiful beaches in Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland.
To learn more about the Glenelg Shire, visit: https://glenelg.vic.gov.au
You can also visit the Casterton Visitor Information Centre webpage for interesting things to see and do during your stay at Casterton.
139 Henty Street, Casterton VIC
(03) 5554 2440