OPH Unpaid Post-Secondary Learner Placement Requests

Ottawa Public Health is committed to providing enriching learning experiences to students in order to build skills and knowledge for the next generation of public health professionals.

1. Eligibility Criteria
2. Unpaid Learner Placement Opportunities
3. Application Process
4. Placement Requirements
5. Training Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

Placement opportunities are dependent on program capacity and availability.

To be eligible for an unpaid learner placement at Ottawa Public Health, the following must be fulfilled:

• You are currently enrolled in a post-secondary educational institution in Ontario registered with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
• Your placement must be a curriculum requirement for graduation from your academic program.
• A formal student placement agreement between Ottawa Public Health and your school must be in place. Note: If there is no existing agreement in place, it may take on average 3 months to establish an agreement.
• You must meet a series of requirements (e.g., immunization, police record – vulnerable sector check) to be eligible for placement. Your school is responsible for confirming compliance with these requirements prior to the start of the placement.

Unpaid Learner Placement Opportunities

We offer unpaid post-secondary learner placements in a variety of disciplines including, but not limited to the following disciplines. 

At this time, Ottawa Public Health is not offering practicum opportunities for students studying at post-secondary education institutions outside of Canada or the province of Ontario.

Application Process

Many academic institutions have program coordinators responsible for seeking and requesting placement opportunities for their students. While at others, it is the student’s responsibility to seek their own placement.

For students seeking their own placement:

1. Complete the Ottawa Public Health Unpaid Post-Secondary Learner Placement Application Form

2. Submit your completed form at least three months prior to the start date of your practicum.

3. Upload and send the following documents with your Placement Application Form:

• Course outline/syllabus for the placement – not required for placements in medicine
• Student evaluation tool for the placement – not required for placements in medicine
• Curriculum vitae – for all Master and Graduate level practicums

The OPH Student Placement Coordinator will review your application and contact you should a suitable placement opportunity be available. The placement will be confirmed with the educational institution and or the student. Please note: some placements may have a bilingualism and/or vehicle requirement.

Placement Requirements

The Educational Institution, before the beginning of the placement, must provide in writing that the students, residents, and fellows scheduled for placement meet the requirements listed below:

Police Record Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector

• A valid and clear Police Record Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector dated within twelve (12) months of the start date of the educational experience.
• Exception – University of Ottawa medical residents/fellows
  • For trainees who started before July 1, 2012 - The University will confirm in writing that as a requirement of registration and in order to maintain the right to practice medicine in Ontario, the resident/fellow has submitted to a criminal record screen in accordance with Policy #7-02 of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
  • For trainees who started on July 1, 2012 onward - The University will confirm in writing that as a requirement of registration and in order to maintain the right to practice medicine in Ontario, the resident/fellow has submitted to a criminal record screen in accordance with Policy #7-02 of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Also, the University will confirm that the resident/fellow has submitted to a Police Record Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector on admission to the Residency Program.
  • For trainees who started on July 1, 2012 onward and have been with the program for more than one year – the University will also confirm in writing that the resident/fellow has also completed annual Vulnerable Sector Police Check Self-Declaration form(s) as required by the University.

Immunization

For all

• Nursing Students
• Dental Hygiene Students
• Medical Students
• Medical Residents

Immunizations required: 

• MMR: 2 doses or serology with proof of immunity for all three diseases if only one dose
• Hepatitis B series: for learners with potential contact with blood, body fluids, sharps and/or blood contaminated items
• Seasonal Influenza, current season
• Varicella: history of disease, serology or vaccine
• Pertussis: adult dose of acellular pertussis
• COVID-19: full vaccination series of accepted vaccine. Final dose received at least 14 days ago.

College of Nurses of Ontario – Certificate of Registration

Post-RN, Masters in Nursing and Nurse Practitioner students

• The Educational Institution will confirm in writing, that the student has a valid Certificate of Registration from the College of Nurses of Ontario.

Workplace Safety and Insurance Act

• Student - The Educational Institution will ensure and confirm WSIB coverage through the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities for the entire duration of the student’s placement at OPH.
• Medical resident/Fellow - The Educational Institution/paymaster will confirm in writing that they will provide WSIB coverage for the learner for the entire duration of the learner’s placement at OPH.

Car and Insurance

• Some placements may require the use of a motor vehicle. When applicable, proof of valid motor vehicle liability insurance will be requested. 

Training Requirements

All learners must complete mandatory e-learning modules including: Accessibility, Hand Hygiene, Workplace Health and Safety, etc. prior to commencing their placement. Information on how to access these and other modules will be provided once the placement is confirmed.