Island Health is committed to supporting students through safe and supportive learning opportunities.
This page is for local, provincial, and national public and private post-secondary institutions, as well as other agencies that are interested in placing students in an Island Health facility relevant to a student’s field of practice or study.
Island Health recognizes the importance of students and continuous learning. Our goal is to provide a broad scope of learning opportunities, in collaboration with our academic partners, for students and practitioners from all healthcare disciplines.
We welcome students’ energy, perspective and commitment to learning.
Student Placement Requests
To learn more about the Student Practice process in BC visit BC Student Practice Education. Island Health follows all the BC Practice Education Guidelines and Standards.
To request a student placement with Island Health:
A note to Students
- Student Placement requests must be initiated by the Post-Secondary Institution.
- If you are looking for a practicum experience within Island Health, please have your Placing Coordinator contact [email protected]. We are unable to arrange placements directly with Students.
- You may not contact Sites/Units to arrange your own placements.
- Placement requests should come 4-6 months before your intended start date.
Educational Affiliation Agreements (EAA)
- A fully executed Educational Affiliation Agreement (EAA) between Island Health and the Post-Secondary Institution is required before a student placement request can be accepted by Island Health.
- The EAA is a legally binding agreement that outlines the roles and responsibilities of both Island Health and the Post-Secondary Institution in delivering practice education.
- The agreement helps manage risks for, Students, Faculty, Patients, Island Health staff, and the Post-Secondary Institution.
- Execution of an EAA can take up to six months. To initiate the process, contact the Student Practice Program at: [email protected]
- Island Health uses the standard provincial EAA template and does not accept modifications to this agreement. For more information, refer to Affiliation Agreements in British Columbia (BC): Frequently Asked Questions
- Island Health is not able to accommodate student placement requests from internationally-based schools at this time.
Post-secondary institutions with Health Science Placement Network (HSPnet) accounts
Student Placement Coordination via HSPnet
- Island Health uses HSPnet (Health Sciences Placement Network), an online system for managing student placement requests.
- Priority is given to local, publicly funded post-secondary institutions before considering out-of-region or out-of-province requests.
Placement Request Process
- The Educational Affiliation Agreement must be fully executed before placement requests can be submitted in HSPnet
- The Post-Secondary Institution must submit placement request via HSPnet
- Do not arrange placements directly with sites/units
- Accepted placements
- The PSI is notified through HSPnet when a request is accepted.
- The PSI must:
- Confirm the placement in HSPnet
- Enter the student’s name
- Contact the program area or preceptor to arrange scheduling (if needed)
- Declined placements
- Declined requests are returned to the PSI via HSPnet
- The PSI may submit a new request through the system
Please note that there are steps required to set up accounts for Students once the placement is accepted. If you have any questions about Island Health processes for accounts, photo IDs, access cards, please contact [email protected] for clarity.
Post-secondary institutions without HSPnet accounts
If your program is outside of B.C. and you already have an Education Affiliation Agreement, we will arrange guest access to HSPnet for you.
Email [email protected] with the following details:
- Post-Secondary Institution
- Program of study
- Number of students
- Desired start date
- Placement Site/Service/Destination, if known
- Alternatively, include a preferred city on Vancouver Island and the preferred program/site/unit
Do not include student names in this email.
Requirements
Students are required to complete prerequisite training and orientation prior to their placement. This is for the safety of the students, Island Health staff, and the patients in our care.
The Provincial Orientation requirements are available here: Orientation and Preparation
Please note:
It is the responsibility of the Post-Secondary Institution to ensure their student(s) and faculty have completed all the required preplacement training and orientation.
- Student Practice may request these records at any time
- Failure to complete the requirements may result in a delay of the placement
Required Orientation:
- Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO)
- Island Health Student Practice Orientation Curriculum
- Violence Prevention (8-hour session), if at a high-risk site/unit
- If not offered by the Post-Secondary Institution, this training can be completed through these institutions:
- Electronic Health Record training, if given access to the Electronic Health Record
- If unsure which training should be completed, please contact [email protected]
- Review of the Student Practice Intranet site (requires login/password)
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]
Other Types Of Experiences
Observations/Job Shadows – Island Health does not allow job shadow or observational experiences. If you are interested in a specific profession, we recommend you reach out to a Post-Secondary Institution that offers the program, view resources online or connect with an individual who works in that profession. Consider Volunteering with Island Health. Volunteer Resources & Engagement | Island Health
Return-to-Practice Experiences – Please contact [email protected] to discuss this type of experience.
Internationally Educated Professionals – Please contact [email protected] to discuss this type of experience.
Co-op Placements – View our Sponsored Programs and/or contact [email protected]. These experiences are not overseen by Student Practice.
Take Your Kid to Work Day – Open to Grade 9 students who have a parent or legal guardian who is employed with Island Health. Students may not observe or participate in any direct patient care, nor may they have access to any confidential information. This program is not overseen by Student Practice. For more information, contact your Island Health Manager.
Internationally Trained Students – Island Health does not have Education Affiliation Agreements (EAAs) with Post-Secondary Institutions outside of Canada.