Student Practice Education

Orientation for Students and Faculty

Placement Process

VCH has a comprehensive placement process to ensure a coordinated and equitable approach to clinical and practice placements. All placement requests are reviewed by the Student Practice Education Office or designate. As such, contact the Student Practice Education Office in Learning & Development prior to the placement of any student within any VCH program or facility.

If you are affiliated with a school or agency, then we ask that requests originate from that institution, rather than from individual students.

Requests from an individual seeking a learning opportunity are only considered when the 'student' is not affiliated with a school or agency. If this description fits you, contact us.

• How do I request a placement at VCH?
• What if I am not currently enrolled in a program but would like to do an observation or job shadow at VCH?
• What kinds of students are placed at VCH?
• Where are students placed in VCH?

How do I request a placement at VCH?

Have your faculty member/placement coordinator at your academic institution contact the Student Practice Education office in Learning & Career Development. Please do not contact a unit or staff member directly to inquire about placements opportunities; doing so will only delay the time it takes for your request to be processed.

What if I am not currently enrolled in a program but would like to do an observation or job shadow at VCH?

We will try and accommodate your request wherever possible. However, please note that in most circumstances, all of the requirements outlined in this orientation manual will be your sole responsibility to meet, including liability insurance, personal injury insurance, criminal record check requirements, immunization requirements, etc.

If you are not affiliated with an educational program and are interested in a placement opportunity at VCH, please contact us. Please provide the dates, goals, and other relevant details of your request, including an up-to-date resume.

What kinds of students are placed at VCH?

Students from many different disciplines and backgrounds participate in placements in VCH. Most students come from medical, nursing, and allied health programs, but VCH also provides placement opportunities for students in areas as diverse as building maintenance, information systems management, and a wide array of other fields. Furthermore, many of our own staff participate in placement experiences in order to enhance their own skills. Occasionally, individuals who are not affiliated with a particular discipline or educational program may also be accepted for a placement experience in VCH.

Where are students placed in VCH?

Students are placed in almost all sites and services in Vancouver Coastal Health, from surgical units in acute care facilities to primary care clinics in rural coastal areas, and just about everywhere in between. For a general overview of Vancouver Coastal Health sites and services, please refer to the main website www.vch.ca and use the bottom navigation bar to explore the services and programs that comprise Vancouver Coastal Health.

You can also use the following website to review all of the programs and services available in the Vancouver Coastal Health region:
www.vch.ca/locations_and_services/find_health_services/

This website is very comprehensive and includes descriptions of all Vancouver Coastal Health services as well as programs that are not operated by Vancouver Coastal Health. To find out if a particular program or service is operated by Vancouver Coastal Health, just click on the program link for more information.

If you have identified a VCH program that interests you, please do not contact the program directly. Instead, make sure that your faculty member/placement coordinator is aware of your interest in the program, so that this information can be communicated to us through contact us.