Learning opportunities

The placement process outlined below applies to all students currently enrolled in a college or university program.

1. Student Affairs at St. Joseph's receives placement request from the school and confirms an affiliation agreement is in place with the school requesting the placement.
2. The school completes the student information sheet (excel file) on behalf of the student and submits it to Student Affairs six weeks before the placement is to begin.
3. Information Technology Services at St. Joseph's generates network computer password and login information for students, which is sent to the school by Student Affairs well in advance of the start date.
4. The school advises the student to have the pre-placement requirements complete two weeks in advance of the start date.
5. The school sends a confirmation to Student Affairs that the pre-placement requirements have been met two weeks before the placement is scheduled to begin.
6. Review student affairs frequently asked questions (FAQ) and make a list of any outstanding questions you still have.
7. Your preceptor will connect with you regarding Day #1 arrangements (where to meet him/her, if any pre-reading is required, and whether you will be attending a formal orientation workshop together, or completing the self-learning orientation package together etc.) and to answer any other outstanding questions you may have. Access the self-learning orientation package is the means by which you will be oriented for your prior review/reflection. 
8. Day #1: Meet your preceptor at the pre-arranged meeting place at which time your preceptor will jointly address orientation and obtaining the Security Package relevant to your area of practice (i.e. ID badge, access card, panic alarms, fire keys, etc.)
9. Enjoy a great placement with your preceptor and know that Student Affairs, as well as Professional Practice Consultants, are available should you have questions or concerns at any stage of your placement.
10. On the last day of placement, you are required to return all security items to the same Security Services location where you obtained security items.
11. Any non-returned security items will be billed to you via your school within two weeks of your departure. Please refer to the pre-placement requirements for specific costs.

Individuals who have completed the appropriate post-secondary education but are currently not enrolled in a college or university AND are seeking an unpaid placement for several weeks or months with supervised practice are referred to as “Sponsored Students” by St. Joseph’s London.

Examples of sponsored students include chaplain interns, students wanting research experience, and practitioners who require clinical hours to meet registration requirements for a regulatory college or a professional association.  This flowchart for sponsored students outlines the process that will be followed for these students.

Research students must contact Sharon MacDonald, Administrative Assistant at Lawson Health Research Institute by email or phone at 519 646-6005 ext. 33154.

The Clinical Instructor Orientation Package will help to identify your accountabilities before, during and at the end of the placement. There are five pre-placement requirements for instructors/clinical instructors (CIs) of student groups.

1. Pyxis Medstation Training - All instructors of student groups will be required to have training and access to Pyxis in order to supervise nursing students in the complete process for closed loop medication administration.
   
   Instructors of student groups will need to review the Pyxis Checklist to support their learning. New instructors to St. Joseph’s will also be required to attend an in-person demonstration of the system with one of the Professional Practice Consultants. Contact the Student Affairs administrator to schedule in-person training. 
   
   Once the training is completed, Student Affairs will initiate instructor access to the Pyxis system by sending documentation to Pharmacy. You will be able to gain access to Pyxis via your network login.
   
   Find out about the clinical area at least two weeks before the placement begins. Your placement coordinator at the school can provide you with the contact information for the clinical resource person on the unit where they will be supervising and teaching students. The purpose of the contact is to receive an orientation to the functioning of the unit and confirm ongoing communication processes for the clinical instructor with the unit staff and leader during the placement.

2. Ensure that you understand and can support the placement’s requirements regarding instructor and student identification badges, access cards, and personal panic alarms. Also review the pre-placement requirements placement process for students currently enrolled in a college or university program and the Student Affairs FAQ during clinical placements.

3. Attend St. Joseph’s health care professionals’ orientation. Instructors who have never taught student groups at any St. Joseph’s site MUST attend St. Joseph’s health care  professionals’orientation sessions before the group placement begins. Orientation is offered on a monthly basis. Email the St. Joseph’s Student Affairs Administrator @email to register for orientation.
4. Complete health requirements. Instructors of student groups must complete the same health requirements as students and adhere to the influenza vaccination protocol.
5. Required e-learning & Declaration - Generally, instructors of student groups must complete the same e-learning as the students they are teaching. The instructors will sign the Declaration Form that the e-learning has been completed and will sign the privacy and confidentiality declaration printed out from the privacy e-learning module and will provide both documents to the school to keep on file. Instructors of student groups who teach multiple terms at St. Joseph’s must complete this e-learning annually. 
   
   Please note: Requirements #3 to #5 above do not apply to clinical instructors who are employees of St. Joseph’s Health Care London. However, there is still a need to complete Requirements #1 and #2, and to send proof of immunizations to your school and your LearningEdge Certifications Report to Student Affairs.  

If you are a secondary school student seeking a volunteer placement, please contact Volunteer Services  for more information.

If you would like to learn about health care environments or a specific health care profession by completing an observation experience, we encourage you to contact Volunteer Services to become a volunteer. You will have the opportunity as a volunteer to contribute to improving the quality of life of patients while simultaneously learning about health care settings and careers. Observation experiences outside a school curriculum are not available through the Student Affairs Office.

If you are interested in completing a research project, please contact Sharon MacDonald at the Lawson Research Institute.

If you are a dentistry, midwifery, or medical student, please contact Medical Affairs.

If you are seeking a paid employment opportunity, please view Careers and Employment information.