Orientation

As a UQ medical student you are required to complete a number of compulsory annual program requirements. As a UQ-Ochsner MD student in Years 3 and 4, there are annual requirements required by both UQ and Ochsner Health. We realise this can be challenging to comprehend so we have prepared the information below to help clarify.

Blue Card expiry reminder

All UQ-Ochsner students are required to have a valid Blue Card for the duration of the MD program, regardless if located in Brisbane or New Orelans. Blue Cards are valid for three years, so Blue Card renewal is a requirement during Year 3, and before you return to Australia in Year 4. If any UQ-Ochsner student returns to Australia without a valid Blue Card, their placement cannot go ahead, and they must return to Ochsner Clinical School. 

The Faculty of Medicine Placement Team will send reminders throughout Year 3 to submit your renewal application. Instructions on Blue Card renewal can be found on the Work Integrated Learning requirements page.  

First Aid and CPR/BLS Certification

In order to meet the certification requirements by both UQ and Ochsner Health, UQ-Ochsner students must have valid certification throughout the entirety of the MD program, regardless if located in Brisbane or New Orleans. In line with Australian qualifications: 

• First Aid is valid for 3 years
• CPR is valid for 1 year*

The Heartsaver First Aid course trains participants on first aid basics for the most common first aid emergencies, including how to recognise them, how to call for help, and how to perform lifesaving skills.  The AHA Heartsaver® First Aid AED Course is required in order to meet your First Aid MD program requirements. This involves a 2-part process: online module and an in-person hands-on skills session.

The American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Course is designed for healthcare professionals and other personnel who need to know how to perform CPR and other basic cardiovascular life support skills in a wide variety of in-facility and pre-hospital settings. 

 * Most American First Aid and CPR equivalent courses that meet the requirements are valid for 3 years, however, despite the recommended renewal dates, students must renew their CPR annually. The Australian Resuscitation Council recommends the CPR qualification be renewed every year. This is to remain current and meet Australian standards. To help simplify this, please refer to the table below.

**This involves a 2-part process.

1. Heartsaver® First Aid CPR AED online eLearning course
2. Hands-On Skills Session

Purchase the online course by one of the following methods:

Via the American Heart Association

• If the course is purchased from the AHA, and you intend to complete the hands-on skills session at Ochsner, a USD$40 skills testing fee (made payable to the Ochsner CTC) will be required at the time of your scheduled appointment.

Via the Ochsner Community Training Center - www.ochsner.org/ctc

• If the course is purchased from the Ochsner CTC, the fee you pay for the online course includes the skills testing fee if performed at Ochsner CTC.
  • Once on the Ochsner CTC site, click the button Purchase Community Courses Here.
  • Select Heartsaver® First Aid CPR AED Online Course and Skills Testing

Once you have completed the online course, print your completion certificate. You must bring this certificate to be turned in to an AHA instructor to complete Part 2, the mandatory Hands-On Skills Session.

If you choose to use a different organisation to fulfill the CPR and First Aid requirements, make sure that it meets the criteria outlined on First Aid Certificate (including CPR).

Please note that UQ does not have an affiliation with the above organisations. 

Health Insurance

UQ-Ochsner students in Year 4 must provide proof of valid coverage for health insurance, despite having submitted proof at the beginning of Year 3. Failure to do so will result in ineligibility to start placements in January of Year 4.