External Researchers (including research partners)
All external researchers (who are not an Eye and Ear employee) who are part of a research team on an authorised research project require an honorary researcher appointment if they require:
On site access to non-public areas of Eye and Ear premises for research purposes
Role on the research project requires contact with Eye and Ear patients
Access to Eye and Ear medical records
Other research-related responsibilities involving Eye and Ear patients, staff, resources, facilities
To be eligible for an honorary researcher appointment at the hospital, you must be an approved researcher on a current research project. These details are to be provided as part of the application form. The application must also be signed off by an Eye and Ear Head of Department, who will be responsible for the honorary researcher during the period of the appointment.
If access to the hospital’s Information Technology services are required, this will be arranged by the Research Office once the honorary researcher appointment is finalised.
How to apply for an Eye and Ear Honorary Researcher Appointment
Please review the information below and then submit an Honorary Researcher Application Form, along with the supporting documentation, to the Research Office via email
What documents need to be submitted?
Below is a list of the documents required for submission. Minimum standards apply to all applications:
Applications must be complete; incomplete applications will be returned to the researcher
Handwritten applications will not be accepted
Core Documents
Scope of Practice Dependent Additional Documents
Honorary Researcher Application Form
Health Records Act certificate
Curriculum Vitae
Hand Hygiene certificate
National Police Check
Good Clinical Practice certificate
Evidence of current role
English Language Proficiency
Health Survey
Working With Children Check
The Forms Library can be found here. Please refer below for further information.
Change to an existing honorary researcher appointment
A change to an existing honorary researcher appointment may be required if the scope of practice changes. If a change is required, the Honorary Researcher needs to submit the Honorary Researcher Application Form requesting the change. Depending on the scope of practice requested, supporting documentation may be required. Please refer to the application form and information listed below for further details. All documents should be submitted to the Research Office via email.
Renewal of honorary researcher appointment
If required, prior to the end of the appointment, the Honorary Researcher should apply for an extension to the term of the appointment by completing the Honorary Researcher Application Form. The renewal does not require resubmission of a new Police Check or additional evidence. All documents should be submitted to the Research Office via email.
How is my application reviewed?
Once the complete honorary researcher application has been received, it will be reviewed by the Research Office. An application is considered complete only when it meets all submission requirements and includes all necessary signatures.
You will receive feedback via email within 10 business days of submission.
The Honorary Researcher Application Form collects information specific to the researcher and the role they will perform on an approved research project.
A current curriculum vitae needs to be submitted as part of the application.
A National Police Check is required as part of the Honorary Researcher credentialing process. It can be a ‘name only check’ (fees apply) but must be no older than 3 months. The check is not required for reappointments. Refer to the Victoria Police link below.
Employee of research partner letter of appointment
Employee of another organisation letter of appointment
Student at a University course enrolment certificate
Volunteer (include 3 references in CV)
If a researcher requires access to medical records, they are required to provide a copy of the Health Records Act training certificate. AHPRA registered researchers are exempt.
Hand Hygiene Australia provides an online learning package. Refer to Hand Hygiene Australia website http://www.hha.org.au/
If a researcher is involved in a clinical trial, it is a requirement that Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training is current. The training must be delivered by a TransCelerate listed provider and is valid for three years. Evidence of current GCP training is to be provided to the Research Office.
Researchers wishing to interact with Eye and Ear patients for recruitment, consent, conducting interviews etc must meet a minimum standard of English proficiency. The Eye and Ear will apply the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) English language skills and registration standards for Honorary Researcher appointments. The applicant must specify which standard applies to their profession. If a Standard does not exist for the specified profession, then the English language skills registration standard will apply. The applicant must specify which pathway they meet and provide evidence.
As a researcher working within a health care facility, there are mandatory vaccination requirements. Based on the requested scope of practice, an occupational risk category is considered. Refer to table below:
Category
Risk Category Descriptor
Summary of the Risk Category
A
Healthcare workers at risk of acquisition and/or transmission of blood borne viruses and infectious spread via respiratory or enteric routes.
Healthcare workers with direct physical contact with patients, clients, deceased persons or body parts, blood, body substances, infectious material or surfaces or equipment that might contain these. For example, workers with prolonged face-to-face contact with patients or clients or where their normal work is in a clinical area
B
Healthcare workers at risk of acquisition and/or transmission of infections via respiratory or enteric routes.
Healthcare workers who rarely have direct physical contact with patients, clients, deceased persons or body parts, blood, body substances, infectious material or surfaces or equipment that might contain these.
C
Healthcare workers at risk of acquisition and/or transmission of infectious spread via respiratory routes.
Healthcare worker with no direct physical contact with patients, clients, deceased persons or body parts, blood, body substances, infectious material or surfaces or equipment that might contain these.
Researchers are required to provide evidence of their health status based on their occupational risk category. The Honorary Researcher Health Survey must be completed and submitted along with the relevant evidence. This documentation will be provided to the Eye and Ear Infection Prevention and Control team for review and approval prior to commencing. Suitable proof will include an Australian immunisation certificate (or equivalent) and blood tests (serology) must be provided with suitable identifiers.
Researchers who fall under Occupational Risk Category A or B must provide evidence of receiving a seasonal influenza vaccination on an annual basis.
A Working With Children Check is required as part of the Honorary Researcher credentialing process, if the researcher’s project usually involves direct contact with children. Refer to Working With Children Check website (fee applies) http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/home/applications/
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