Pre-practicum requirements

• Immunization

  Students are required to complete the Ontario Tech immunization forms.

  • Entry Immunization Form (Year 1)
  • Returning Student Immunization Form (Years 2, 3, 4)

  For students who are entering their second year of study but still need to complete NURS 1700.

  If you HAVE previously submitted your Entry Immunization Form and all other requirements and were cleared to proceed to practicum, please follow the RETURNING STUDENT information and deadlines.

  If you HAVE NOT previously submitted your Entry Immunization Form and all other requirements, please follow the ENTRY STUDENT information and deadlines.

  If you are unsure which forms to complete, please contact practicum.coordinator@ontariotechu.ca

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  To help protect the health and safety of patients/clients, as well as the students participating in placement, all students enrolled in the nursing program must provide proof of immunization for the following:

  • Tuberculosis (TB) Surveillance
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (serology required to document immunity)
  • Hepatitis B (serology required to document immunity)
  • COVID (minimum 2 doses)
  • Influenza (flu shot) *not mandatory, but highly recommended.

  Serology refers to bloodwork ordered by the Health Care Provider that will provide laboratory evidence of immunity for a specific communicable disease.

  TB Surveillance

  All students with unknown TB status must provide evidence of a baseline 2 step TB skin test in the first year of their program.  Annual TB testing is a requirement for students who have previously tested negative.  A negative TB test is valid for 12 months. 

  If you have tested positive for TB in the past, the student must provide proof of chest x-ray (completed within the preceding 12 months) at the start of their program with documentation from the Health Care Provider (HCP) indicating no signs or symptoms of active TB are present.  In every subsequent year of the program, a documented assessment by the HCP indicating no signs or symptoms of active TB is sufficient.  A chest x-ray is not required every year. 

  Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio

  Students will be asked to provide the dates of vaccination for each of the indicated communicable diseases.  Tetanus vaccination is valid for 10 years.  Maintaining up to date vaccinations is required.  A single dose of the Tdap (Adacel vaccine) is recommended if not previously received as an adult or adolescent. Primary immunization against polio is sufficient.

  Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Varicella (Chicken Pox)

  Students will be asked to provide the dates of vaccination for each of the indicated communicable diseases and demonstrate immunity through provided serology.

  MMR

  Students must provide proof of receiving 2 doses of the MMR vaccine and evidence of immunity through serology.  If serology shows inadequate immunity after the initial series, a booster can be initiated by the HCP. 

  Varicella

   A history of chicken pox is NO LONGER sufficient evidence of immunity.  If immunity is not present, students may require booster doses.  Please note:  if 2 doses of varicella vaccine are required, there must be a minimum of 4 - 6 weeks between doses so students should plan accordingly. 

  Hepatitis B

  Students must provide documented immunization of a complete series of Hepatitis B, including evidence of immunity through serology.  If serology shows inadequate immunity after the initial series, a booster series can be initiated by the HCP. 

  Influenza

  The influenza (flu) vaccination is not mandatory but strongly recommended.  In the event of an influenza outbreak, students without sufficient documentation of the vaccine may be asked to leave the clinical area, thus jeopardizing their successful completion of the practicum course.  The influenza vaccine (flu shot) is generally not available until October and takes two weeks to become effective. 

  Note: Influenza vaccination is listed as a mandatory requirement for some practicum partners.  If you are a placed at a facility that indicates the flu shot is mandatory, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination PRIOR to placement. It is your responsibility as a student to ensure that you meet the criteria of your practicum site.  With limited practicum opportunities available, changes based on ineligibility will not be considered. 

  COVID

  Most of our placement partners still require student learners to be vaccinated for COVID 19.  However, the number of vaccinations required vary by site, with some sites requiring students to have their initial 2 dose vaccination plus applicable boosters.  Once your practicum assignment has been posted in HSPnet, please review all information related to the sites COVID vaccination requirements, policies, and directives.  It is your responsibility as a student to ensure that you meet the criteria of your practicum site.  With limited practicum opportunities available, changes based on ineligibility will not be considered. 

  REMINDER:  You must be 14 days POST the last required dose (2^nd vaccine or booster) to be considered vaccinated.  To avoid a delay or cancellation of practicum, please ensure you plan accordingly if you require an immunization or booster(s) prior to practicum start. 

  Students requiring religious or medical accommodation as it relates to COVID vaccination for nursing practicum, must register with Student Accessibility Services (SAS).  If the accommodation has been approved by SAS, the accommodation request will then be subject to a site-specific review and assessment. There is NO GUARANTEE that the placement site will accept the accommodation for placement. Seeking accommodation should be initiated well in advance of the practicum start as the approval process can take several weeks.  Please contact nursingprogram@ontariotechu.ca for more information on next steps. 

• Obtaining a Vulnerable Sector Check

  Obtaining a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)

  All students in the Nursing programs are required to complete an annual Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC).  This is a more in-depth check that provides screening for individuals who will be working with vulnerable populations such as children, elderly etc.   

  • VSC’s must be obtained from an Ontario Police Service local to the where the student resides.
  • The VSC is valid for a period of one year and must cover the entire academic year.
  • Any cost associated with the VSC are the responsibility of the student. Many services offer a discounted rate for students. 
  • VSC’s can take 6 + weeks (minimum) to complete so please plan accordingly based on your deadline for pre-practicum requirements submission.

  Should incoming students require a letter confirming the program requirements, please email practicum.coordinator@ontariotechu.ca with your request.  Returning students, please visit FHS – Nursing Practicum in canvas for required information.

• CPR Certification

  CPR Certification

  All students in the Collaborative BScN and Post-RPN-to-BScN programs must show proof of a valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. The level required for the nursing programs is BASIC LIFE SAVING (BLS) for Health Care Provider (HCP). Different companies refer to this by various names - BLS, HCP, BLS Provider etc. Please ensure you are completing the certification/recertification training for healthcare providers.

  As per our legal agreements with our practicum partners, CPR certification/recertification MUST be done on an ANNUAL basis.  Certification is considered valid for ONE YEAR from the date of issue, regardless of the expiry date listed on your certificate.

  Please note the following:

  • CPR courses completed ENTIRELY online WILL NOT be accepted. Hybrid courses (a combination of online AND in person) are acceptable. 
  • First Aid is strongly recommended but not required.
  • CPR certification MUST be valid in Canada. It is the student’s responsibility to check with the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada that any certification completed outside of Canada is the equivalent of the program’s requirement and accepted in Canada.

  Recommended providers of CPR certification:

  • Ontario Tech University, Continuous Learning, HCP Certification and HCP Recertification - Continuous Learning is the preferred provider of CPR certification 
  • Heart and Stroke
  • Red Cross
  • St. John's Ambulance 
• Mask Fit

  N95 Mask Fit Testing

  Mask fit tests are valid for two years from the date of testing. 

  Students in the Ontario Tech nursing programs have 2 options for meeting the mask fit testing requirement:

  1. Provide proof of testing through an employer. If the mask fit testing is valid for the entire duration of the student’s practicum placement(s), testing provided through an employer is acceptable.
  2. Arrange your own testing through a certified provider. Please see below for a list of recommended mask fit testing providers.

  IMPORTANT: In order to comply with the masks most commonly used by our placement partners, please ensure you are tested on one of the following mask sizes: 8210, 8110S, 1804, 1804S or 1870+.  If you have not been tested on one of these and your placement site CANNOT provide a mask based on the brand/size showing on your current mask fit card, you will need to be re-tested at your own cost. 

  PLEASE NOTE:

  • Any cost associated with testing is the responsibility of the student.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to notify the nursing program of any change in facial structure (e.g., weight loss) and arrange for their own re-test.
  • Quantitative testing is preferred; however, both quantitative and qualitative testing is accepted.
  • Students who require medical or religious accommodation for mask fit testing should contact practicum.coordinator@ontariotechu.ca for next steps. Returning students – please visit FHS- Nursing Practicum in canvas for more information.

  Recommended mask fit testing providers below. Please note that if students are sourcing their own mask fit test through the companies listed below, students are responsible for any costs incurred:

  • Pulse CPR
  • Mask Fit Plus
  • Pulse Savers Durham
  • canaPHEM
  • Levitt Safety
• Training & Additional Forms

  Required Training

  As per ministry and placement partner requirements, the following training must be completed prior to attending practicum. Students must provide proof of completion certificates as part of their pre-practicum requirements. 

  • Worker Health and Safety in 4 Steps - once per program (Worker Health & Safety Tipsheet)

  • Workplace Violence and Harassment Prevention - once per program (Workplace Violence & Harassment Prevention Tipsheet)

  • Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) - annually (WHMIS Tipsheet)

  • IPAC for Health Care Workers – IPAC Core Competencies - 9 modules to be completed annually* (IPAC Tipsheet)
    *Students will need to set up an account to access the modules. Please keep your login/password somewhere safe.

  • AODA Modules (once per program * (AODA Tipsheet). You will be prompted to login into Canvas with your Banner ID and password credentials. Students should have a screen shot of grades section showing they've received 100% score.

    • Please note: New students will be unable to access the AODA modules until September of their respective start in the program.

   

  Additional forms

  The forms below will be completed and submitted ONCE in your first year and remain valid for the duration of your program.

  • Student Declaration of Understanding
  • HSPnet Consent Form
    
  • Lakeridge Health Confidentiality Agreement

  The form below is required to be submitted EVERY SEMESTER the student completes practicum.

  • Student Academic Pre-practicum Acknowledgement Form
• CNO Registration

  Proof of CNO Registration **RPN to BScN Bridge student ONLY**

  RPN to BScN students must hold a current certificate of competence with no restrictions from the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) to participate in the program. 

  In each year of their program, students must provide proof of their CNO registration renewal as part of their returning student requirements.  Please provide the receipt issued for CNO registration renewal, with the date clearly indicated, as proof of having met this requirement. 

• Co-op Work Permit

  Co-op work permit (International Students only)

  A co-op work permit is mandatory for international students participating in practicum and is valid for the duration of the student’s placement(s).  Please refer to the Co-op Work Permit section of the International Office website and speak with an International Student Advisor for more information as soon as possible.

• Verified by Synergy

  Verified by Synergy

  Synergy Gateway is a leading provider of healthcare and compliance solutions for universities and colleges across Canada.

  To be eligible for practicum placements, students will be required to complete an Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) service in the Synergy Gateway Verified application. 

  Please Note: Students who are unable to meet the stated deadlines run the risk of being de-registered from their theory/practicum courses and would be eligible to register the next time the respective course is offered. 

  There are service fees for Verified (in addition to fees for immunizations, lab tests, and certifications):

  • Initial Clearance Review - $50.50 +HST
  • Missed Review - $50.50 +HST
  • Follow-up Review $10.00 +HST

  We strongly encourage you to review your documentation PRIOR to your scheduled appointment to ensure you have ALL the required elements to avoid additional charges.

   

  How to access your Verified account

  • Students will receive log-in credentials to access their Verified account directly to their school email account (firstname.lastname@ontariotechu.net) from “Synergy Help Desk”. Please check spam and junk mail folders if you do not see it in your inbox.
  • You will be required to create a new password upon logging into Verified.
  • Review the Video User Guides and Student Guidebook to learn how to use the Verified platform.

  
  

  Please visit www.synergyhelps.com should you have any issues.