Managing placements for a large student cohort presents many challenges, particularly when relying on manual processes. While a variety of tools have supported placement management to date, the move toward a more integrated solution will help in streamlining workflows and enhance overall efficiency.
Cloud-based applications are playing an increasingly important role in health placement management. Across Ireland, universities are adopting these systems to enhance placement delivery, accommodate growing student numbers, and align with broader strategic goals.
Following an extensive review and Tender process, InPlace was selected as the platform best suited to meet UL’s evolving needs and enhance the management of student placements in the School of Allied Health (SAH) and the Department of Nursing & Midwifery (DNM). InPlace will provide a centralised, efficient platform to coordinate placements, improve communication between students, employers, and academic staff, and ensure a more seamless, transparent experience for all stakeholders. It will help to streamline the entire placement process, from allocation to administration and management, offering a single platform for all key stakeholders.
What does it mean for the UL community?
- Facilitate the planned expansion of health disciplines at the University of Limerick, including increased enrollment in existing programs and the introduction of new ones.
- Enhance overall process efficiency, reducing the time and effort required from academic staff, professional support staff, and placement providers.
- Improve records management by linking data and storage, eliminating paper, enhancing data collection and reporting, and providing clinical partners with access to a single source of truth.
- Minimise the risk of document duplication or loss and reduce the likelihood of human error.
- Eliminate reliance on multiple, disparate processes and applications for managing records and documentation.
- Mitigate business resilience issues related to administrative staff turnover in health disciplines.
- Support the implementation of standard operating procedures.
- Enhance the student experience by streamlining processes, improving communication, and eliminating confusion related to placements.
- Improve service and communication with placement providers and practice educators.
- Address the NMBI Accreditation inspection finding that current processes are not scalable.
Project update
A procurement tender was issued, and a contract was subsequently awarded to the successful vendor. The new system has been rolled out in phases, led by the ITD Project Management team and supported by a cross-functional stakeholder group from the EHS faculty. The project is currently in the monitoring phase.
