Clinical Placement Overview

Clinical placement provides the necessary learning environment for students to apply their theoretical knowledge and skills to actual patient care situations. Clinical Supervisors and preceptors, along with the interprofessional health care team will facilitate student learning. 

Overview of Practicum Placements 

Clinical days are generally Monday’s and Tuesday’s 12 hours each day for a total of 24 hours each week or Monday’s, Tuesday’s, and Wednesday’s 8 hours each day for a total of 24 hours each week.    

• PSW 212 Facility practicum = 20-24 hours per week for 6 weeks.  (126 hours) (six hours will be for orientation which may be at the college or virtual)

• PSW 209 Community practicum = 20-24 hours per week for 6 weeks.  (126 hours) (six hours will be for orientation which may be at the college or virtual)

Practicum Shifts and Hours for PSW 212 (126 hours) and PSW 209 (126 hours) 

Clinical practicum shifts may vary. Typically, a day shift usually starts at 0700 and an evening shift starts at 3pm. Practicum placements may be scheduled for 2 days (12 hours per day) or 3 days, (8 hours per day). Students are individually assigned a preceptor from the placement and there will be one supervisor that will oversee all the students and visit (virtually) the students at their placements. Students are expected to arrive and be prepared for clinical practice on the unit at least 15 minutes before the beginning of the shift.  

Practicum Locations 

Practicum placements are located throughout the greater Toronto area (GTA). Clinical locations vary from semester to semester. Student preference is considered, not guaranteed.  Students are not permitted to negotiate their own clinical placements.  Travel is required to get to the placement setting.  Due to the large geographic area, not all placement locations are accessible by public transit.  It is the student’s responsibility to secure reliable transportation.  

The Seneca Clinical Placement Office is responsible for arranging the contractual agreements between the agency and Seneca College. 

Students are NOT to contact the Clinical agency directly without expressed consent from Seneca College. If there is a placement that you are interested in, please email the name of the agency/facility, the address and the website to the coordinator for follow-up. Should you require information regarding your Clinical, please contact your Coordinator. 

Expenses 

Students are responsible for all expenses related to practicum (e.g., uniforms, Seneca ID, travel/transit costs, meals, and accommodation). Students are not permitted to accept financial remuneration from the practicum site or clients.  

Transportation 

All students are responsible for their transportation to and from the practicum site. Under no circumstances should students transport clients in their vehicles. Seneca College will not provide insurance coverage for this purpose. If a student is asked to transport a client(s), please notify the clinical supervisor immediately. Any student not following the above guidelines may be removed from practicum, with the initiation of an unsafe meeting. 

Conflict of Interest 

To ensure trust and equity, the College avoids placing students in practicum sites with family, significant others, friends or where the student is employed. It is an expectation that students are responsible to disclose any information that may lead to a conflict of interest and avoid requesting these sites as preferences for practicum.  

Infection Control Requirements 

All students are required to review infection control policies and protocols of the clinical facility prior to each practicum. In addition, all students must review infection control theory and principles as taught in the curriculum each semester.  

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) 

The government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities 

(MTCU), provides Ontario students with Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage while on placements. All students are required to sign a Declaration of Understanding of WSIB Coverage. The Declaration forms are available in the Clinical Practicum Office (GH1110). All signed forms will be kept on file in the Clinical Practicum Office. Any accidents or injuries must be reported to the Clinical Supervisor and the Clinical Coordinator as soon as possible. Clinical Supervisors and students are required to complete the placement agency and Seneca College’s incident report.  

Clinical Preparedness Permit (CPP) 

Seneca College is committed to the safety and well-being of students and the clients. Students are required to attain and maintain required certifications/immunization standards outlined in the practice standards/legislative requirements. Students are required to complete a Clinical Preparedness Permit (CPP) to be eligible to enter clinical practice. A CPP serves to ensure that students have the necessary up to date immunizations, Basic Life Support – BLS Provider certificate, respiratory fit testing, and Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen (VSS), prior to entering their clinical placement. It is the student’s responsibility to complete and maintain this document prior to the clinical placement (Semester 2).  All required documents for CPP must be valid and may not expire at any time during the semester.  

Click here for more information about the CPP and to find the documents required: Clinical Preparedness Permit (CPP) 

Personal Appearance and Professional Conduct

All PSWs are expected to follow the school of nurses standards related to professional conduct and appearance.

See here: Clinical & Lab/Simulation Deportment