What Prerequisites/Co-requisites must I have before I can begin my placement?

Prerequisites and Co-requisites provide important knowledge and essential skills to prepare you for your placements. Prior to Placement, you are required to have successfully completed:

• Foundations 1, Theory and Application
• PSW Lab 1
• Structure and Function of the Human Body
• Professional Practice 1
• Indigenous Ways of Knowing-PSW
• Communication for Personal Support Workers
• Mental Health
• Understanding the Canadian Healthcare Landscape for PSWs
• A Palliative Approach to Care for PSWs
• Foundations 2, Theory and Application
• PSW Lab 2
• All Non-Academic Requirements (NARs) outlined by due date

How many placements will I complete and in what type of setting will I complete each placement?

You are required to complete 1 placement consisting of 168 hours over 7 weeks.

Your placement could be in a variety of settings: Long Term Care Home, Retirement Home, Group Home, Community Home Care Settings, Hospital, Hospice, etc. We always welcome new placement opportunities!

When will I complete my placement?

Your placement will start week 7 of semester 2 of your program and will run until week 14 of semester 2.

How many hours/days must I be on placement each day?

Students will be required to work a minimum of 24 hours per week. Students can work up to maximum of 40 hours per week. Depending on the facility you are placed at, you may be required to work 8 hour shifts or 12-hour shifts. You cannot complete more then 12 hours/day or more than 40 hours per week. You should therefore be at placement no more than 5 shifts in a row.

When will each placement start/end and what days will I attend placement?

January 2025 Winter Intake

June 30th, 2025 – August 16, 2025*

*These dates are subject to change based on term.

First Day of Placement

Your first day of placement will depend on your program start date and the term you are registered in.

The date may also depend on the placement facility, as there may be orientation/training dates provided by them for you to attend.

*Remember, you will have 7 weeks to complete 168 hours.

What shifts can I work?

Depending on the facility your start time and end time can differ. Students can work day, evening and night shifts. Some examples of shifts are: 6:00am-2:00pm, 6:30am-2:30pm, 7:00am- 3:00pm, 2:00pm-10:00pm, 2:30pm-10:30pm, 3:00pm-11:00pm, 11:00pm-7:00am, 7:00am-7:00pm, 7:00pm-7:00am. Please check with your preceptor to see what shifts you will be working. You will be following your preceptors schedule for the entirety of your 7-week placement rotation. Please note you can complete placement hours on the weekends.

Students must adhere to the scheduled start times of the facility for example: 6:50am or 2:50pm, and leave at the end of the outlined shift by the facility. These shift times are set to align with the preceptors’ shifts. Students cannot negotiate their own start and end times of shifts. 

Students must follow the preceptor’s schedule as provided to complete their required placement hours. It is essential for students to follow the preceptor’s schedule in order to maintain consistency in the care provided to the residents. Failure to comply with these set times and policies will result in removal from the placement facility and potential failure of the course, as it impacts both the workflow and the quality of care.

What days of the week can I work?

Students can work on any days of the week including weekends.