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Experiential Learning “supports students in gaining hands-on learning that helps them transition to employment”^[1]. Experiential Learning can take the form of co-operative education, degree work placement, clinical/field placement, fieldwork/simulation labs, capstone/applied research projects, and service learning.

Work Integrated Learning

Clinical Placement Requirements

All clinical placement requirements must be valid for your entire placement semester. Information on the clinical requirements for the PSW Program, and the instructions for submission of those requirements, can be found at: placementrequirements@centennialcollege.ca and in your Clinical Placement Requirements Student Handbook.

Detailed information regarding clinical placement requirements and the process for obtaining clearance to attend clinical can be found in the  Personal Support Worker -Clinical Placement Requirements Student Handbook for 2025 and you are advised to get your information from that handbook. Some information is found below, however, more thorough guidance and information is found in your Clinical Placement Requirements Student Handbook.

All inquiries regarding placement requirements can be emailed to: placementrequirements@centennialcollege.ca. 

The importance of the Personal Support Worker Clinical Placement Requirements Student Handbook for Fall Intake 2025

Step 1. Complete All of Your Medical Requirements

In order to comply with the Public Hospitals, Act and to meet placement setting requirements, an Immunization Review Form must be submitted. This process is necessary to ensure that those working within health care facilities are free from or are protected against communicable and infectious diseases. This form is to be filled out by a health care provider e.g., a Physician, Nurse Practitioner, or walk-in clinic by a Physician or Nurse Practitioner only and will take 4 to 6 weeks to complete. These forms will be reviewed through your Synergy Gateway Inc. account.

* Important: You will receive an email from Synergy Gateway Inc. regarding your login and account information through your myCentennial email address in September 2025. Once reviewed, the nurse will advise you if you have met all the requirements, or if you will need to submit additional information.  Any student inquiries regarding the Clinical Pre-Placement Health Form are to be directed to Synergy Gateway Inc. You are encouraged to start the process of your Clinical Pre-Placement Health Form as early as possible.

For information on your medical requirements. You will be required to print and complete the form with your health care provider (doctor, nurse practitioner, walk-in clinic) 

Please ensure that your doctor completes all the required areas including signatures on your pre-placement health form that you received from us. 

Tuberculosis (TB):

Yearly TB Surveillance

You are required to start TB screening process have a two-step testing for your first placement. Please refer to your health form for more detailed information.

Negative Result

If your first step indicates that you are negative (measurement below 10 mm), you will need to book an appointment to see your doctor within 7 – 21 days of your test to have your step two test done. Please ensure that your doctor writes in the dates given, dates read and results for both steps.

Positive Result

If your 1-step or 2-step skin test indicates that you are positive (measurement above 10 mm), then you need to do a chest x-ray to check your lungs and chest to confirm you are cleared and free from the disease. If there are any issues with the X-ray, your doctor will advise and take the necessary steps. A copy of your chest x-ray report is mandatory to be submitted for all students who tested positive. 

If you have done a two-step testing before with negative results, documentation is required as proof, and you will only need to do your annual one-step test.

If you have previously tested positive, you do not need to redo the test; however, your doctor needs to indicate the dates this was completed, give you a copy of the chest x-ray done (valid for two years) along with a note stating that you have been physically examined and whether or not you have any signs or symptoms of TB and an updated chest X- ray if the one previously done is more than two years. 

If there are any questions about this contact placementrequirements@centennialcollege.ca

COVID 19 Vaccine: 

Please note: As recommended by the National Advisory Commission on Immunization (NACI) in an update published 28 September 2021, COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same as, or any time before or after, other vaccines, including live, non-live, adjuvanted or unadjuvanted vaccines and TB testing. 

Vaccines are developed to protect our communities, especially the most vulnerable such as LTC residents and patients. Once developed, a vaccine goes through rigorous scientific reviews for safety and efficacy before it is approved by Health Canada. Understanding that nursing students are an integral part of the healthcare system and are entrusted to provide safe care, we very strongly recommend that all students in the Nursing Program be vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to commencing a clinical experience. Students who choose not to vaccinate without a legitimate reason risk putting themselves and their care recipients in an unnecessary danger of contracting COVID-19. It is the placement agency’s discretion to pause or cancel a student placement based on agency policies and protocols, which may risk a delay to the program of study in the case a student is unable to attend their clinical placements due to contracting COVID-19 or when the clinical agency requires learner vaccination. 

The COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory as of September 7th, 2021, as it is a requirement of placement sites. The Government of Ontario issued a directive mandating hospitals, home and community care service providers as well as some private businesses to have a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. 

For more information about COVID-19 and vaccination, we encourage all students to review the following resources for additional information: 

– 19 to Zero 

– Public Health Ontario 

MMR (Mumps, Measles and Rubella): Students are to submit either proof of vaccination of 2 doses of MMR vaccine or a blood test report that states the student has full immunity- by stating “reactive” – if any of the measles, mumps or rubella test results say “indeterminant” or “non-reactive” they are not immune and the student will require MMR vaccines. 

Varicella (Chicken Pox): Student are to submit either proof of vaccination of 2 doses of Varicella vaccine or blood test results that states the student has full immunity- by stating “reactive”- if test results say “indeterminant” or “non-reactive,” they are not immune and require varicella vaccines. 

Tetanus: Students are to submit proof of vaccination of Tetanus/ Diphtheria vaccine (Td or Tdap) given in the last 10 years. 

Pertussis: All students are required to provide proof of an adult dose of Tdap received on or after their 18th birthday 

Polio: Student to submit proof of vaccination of at least 2 previous doses of polio- If the student has no records available, they will need to get an “adult series,” which consists of 3 doses – Synergy Gateway can give a temporary clearance after the 2nd dose with an expected completion in 6 months. 

Hepatitis B (HEP B): To be cleared for this requirement student needs to submit a lab blood test which shows antibody immunity of 10IU/L or higher. Also, students will need to submit a vaccine record for any doses of Hep B vaccine they have received (for example- students receive in grade 7 or 8 in Canada) if the students who have received Hep B vaccine previously have blood results are lower than 10IU/L they need a booster dose, students who have never received Hep B vaccine need a full series of 3 doses- Requisite nurses can give a temporary clearance after the 2nd dose with an expected completion in 6 months. 

Influenza Vaccination (Flu Shot):

Influenza immunization is mandatory. In the event of an outbreak at your placement, any student without the vaccination may be denied access to the facility jeopardizing successful completion of practice. You will be expected to provide proof of having received an annual flu shot.

The vaccine is only available during the Flu season (October to April). All Students are encouraged to protect themselves with annual influenza immunization. Should the vaccination not be available at the time of program clearance, you may submit all other requirements to clear with Synergy Gateway. 

Once the vaccination is available in the Fall, students may submit the vaccination to Verified by Synergy Gateway at any time, at no additional fee. There is a how to upload your Influenza vaccination guide located in the important forms section of your Verified Profile

Step 2: Complete All of your Non-Medical Requirements

Non-Medical Requirements

All students are required to obtain CPR Health Care Provider (HCP) or BLS certification/recertification on a yearly basis. “HCP” focuses on emergency procedures for the adult, child, and infant. This includes choking emergencies, airway management, rescue breathing, CPR and 2 rescuer adult, child, and infant CPR. Copies or certificates obtained through internet sources are not acceptable.

A. CPR – HCP or BLS Level (Health Care Provider or Basic Life Support): CPR is valid for one (1) year. The CPR certification must be Level HCP and must be valid for the duration of your placement – cannot expire during clinical placement term. *Note: some certification providers use the term Basic Life Support (BLS), this is equivalent to HCP Level. 

Only 100% in person or blended courses (online theory + in person) are accepted for clearance. 100% online courses will not be acceptable for clearance. 

CPR certificates are only valid for one year from the date of issue, regardless of date of expiry mentioned on certificate. 

CPR cannot expire during placement term. If CPR expires during upcoming placement, then it’s the student’s responsibility to renew CPR and submit it to Synergy before clearance deadline date. 

CPR validity dates for placement terms: 

Fall Placement: CPR must be valid from September to December 24 

Winter Placement: CPR must be valid from January to April 30 

Spring/Summer Placement: CPR must be valid from May to August 30 

CPR cannot expire during placement term, for example: 

If you’re going on placement in the Fall then your CPR cannot expire before December 24. If your CPR expires prior to December 24, then you’re required to renew it before your clearance deadline date in order to receive clearance for Fall placement. 

B. Standard First Aid (SFA): is valid for three years from the date of issue placement – it cannot expire during the clinical placement term.

Only 100% in person or blended courses (online theory + in person) are accepted for clearance. 100% online courses will not be acceptable for clearance. 

Course prices vary between $55 and $165 in Ontario. Blended Courses (only theory, in-class practice) are accepted. Online-only courses are not valid. 

Centennial College                                                    Centennial College 

Canadian Red Cross Society                                    www.redcross.ca 

Heart and Stroke Foundation                                 www.heartandstroke.com 

Lifesaver 101 First Aid & CPR Training Inc.        www.lifesaver101.com 

St. John’s Ambulance                                               www.sja.ca 

CPR Canada                                                                www.cprcanada.com 

*A full list of valid providers affiliated with the WSIB (Workers Safety and Insurance Board) can be found here: Providers Approved to Deliver Standard First Aid and CPR 

Blended option (online theory + in person) courses are valid, online only is not valid.

Students are required to obtain a current certificate of completion of an approved SFA course. Most SFA courses are included with CPR courses. Copies or certificates obtained through internet sources are not acceptable.

C. Mask Fit Testing: This is valid for two (2) years from the date of issue. Mask Fit Certification must be valid for the duration of your placement – cannot expire during your placement term. Your Mask fit can be booked online through your MyCentennial. The lab is located in room 258. Take the time to review the “How to Book a Mask Fit Video tutorial below”:

How to Book a Mask Fit Video Tutorial.

There is no cost for a Mask Fit as it is included in your program fees. 

Prior to your Mask Fit appointment, a questionnaire needs to be completed. Please complete this form and provide it to the Mask Fit Technician: N95-mask-fit-questionnaire upon your arrival. To gain access to the campus for your Mask Fit appointment you will need to bring either your MyCard or photo ID and provide this to security. 

If you have answered yes to any of the questions on the questionnaire, you may need to book an appointment to see your family physician one week prior to your scheduled appointment. 

1. Q. What If you miss your mask fit testing appointment?
2. Due to the large number of students requiring mask fitting, we are obliged to centrally schedule your mask fit appointment. All students are expected to organize their schedules and activities to respect their assigned appointment time. If you miss your appointment, you will be charged a $30.00 fee to rebook your appointment * (cost is subject to change). Only for documented medical or other critical reasons will this fee be waived, and only at the discretion of the Clinical Placement Administrative Officer.

D. Vulnerable Persons Police Check: Must be issued within 6 months of your placement start date.  It must also be valid during the duration of your placement and cannot expire during your placement term.

Please note for future placements: a new VSS is required prior to each placement, as it must always be issued within six months of each placement start date.

VSS valid issue dates for placement terms:

Fall placement: VSS must be issued on or after March 1st

Winter placement: VSS must be issued on or after July 1st

Spring/Summer Placement: VSS must be issued on or after November 1st

If your current VSS was issued before the required date, then you will have to renew your VSS and submit it to Synergy, prior to your clearance deadline date, for example:

If you are going on placement in the Fall, then your VSS must be issued on or after March 1st.

If your VSS police check was issued before March 1st, regardless of how close, you’re responsible for renewing your VSS police check and submitting it to Synergy before your clearance deadline date to receive clearance for the Fall placement.

***Synergy will not accept VSS receipt as a substitution for a VSS police check. ***

Students living in the Metro Toronto Area:

Police checks can take up to 16 weeks due to extenuating circumstances.

Apply by the first Friday of the Fall semester.

Please apply early. The application process to complete the Metro Toronto Vulnerable Police Check has now moved online as per September 5, 2023.

*The Metro Toronto police vulnerable police check requires a unique code to complete the application process. Please reach out to placementrequirement@centennialcollege.ca to receive the unique code. 

Link to an Online Application (students will need to create an account in order to request a VSS police check):

Link:

https://www.tps.ca/services/police-record-checks/

Application Type

• Unpaid Student Placement

Position and/or Course

• Personal Support Worker Clinical Placement

VSC Organization Code 

The Unique Agency Code that students require in order to request a VSS police check can be obtained on the “How to Apply for a Toronto VSS Police Check” document in your “Welcome Placement Package” or can be requested by emailing Kiru at placementrequirements@centennialcollege.ca

Vulnerable Clientele Duties

• Placement involves providing care (e.g. first aid care, providing first responder care, and/or assessment, etc.).

A list of vulnerable sectors I would be working with

• Elderly, the disabled and children under the age of eighteen (18) years old

Fees for processing the VSS police check has changed:

• Payment can be made with Visa, Visa Debit, MasterCard or American Express
• Adults (18 years) Non-Refundable Fees
• Unpaid Student Placement – $26.72 **
• No Rush/Expedited service is available.

** Please take note fees may change at any time and are determined by the Agency where you are applying for your VSS.

There are fees for processing the VSS police check and payment can now be made electronically using Visa, Visa Debit, MasterCard or American Express.

For Metro Toronto, please make sure that you select the Unpaid Student Placement option. 

Please note, No Rush/Expedited service is available.

Please make sure that you have successfully completed your authentication process.

** Please see your “How to Apply for a Toronto VSS Police Check” Document in your package as your main source of information.

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact placement requirements at placementrequirements@centennialcollege.ca

How to Apply to Other Regions for VSS Police Check

This information is found on the document titled, “How to Apply for Other Regions VSS Police Check” in your Welcome Placement Package and is summarized here.

Please refer to your package as your primary source of information.

When applying to other regions for a VSS police check, letters from the college may be required with your application.

Student will need to download the form, complete the fields, save to your computer and send with your application.

Should you not be able to open the links, try using a different web browser.

If the problem persists, you may contact placementrequirements@centennialcollege.ca for a pdf version.

Please include the police region you are requesting the letter within your email.

It is recommended that you address any concerns that you may have in the area of health forms or police checks immediately so that your education is not interrupted or delayed.

If your vulnerable person’s police check is positive, you are required to contact your respective Associate Dean and arrange a meeting to discuss clearance for practice. Final decisions for proceeding with practice are conducted on a case-by-case discussion with the placement facility.

D. Vulnerable Sector Police Check: Must be issued within 6 months of your placement start date. It must also be valid for the duration of your placement and cannot expire during your placement term. Please note for future placements: a new VSS is required prior to each placement, as it must always be issued within six months of each placement start date. 

VSS valid issue dates for placement terms: 

Fall Placement: VSS must be issued on or after March 1st 

Winter Placement: VSS must be issued on or after July 1st 

Spring/Summer Placement: VSS must be issued on or after November 1st 

If your current VSS was issued before the required date, then you will have to renew your VSS and submit it to Synergy, prior to your clearance deadline date, for example: 

If you’re going on placement in the Fall then your VSS must be issued on or after March 1st. 

If your VSS police check was issued before March 1st, regardless of how close, you’re responsible for renewing your VSS police check and submitting it to Synergy before your clearance deadline date to receive clearance for Fall placement. 

***Synergy will not accept VSS receipt as a substitution for a VSS police check.*** 

Toronto Area Students (postal code starts typically with an “M”): The vulnerable sector police check can take up to 8-10 weeks or longer to process depending on findings and volume of applications. Please go to the link Toronto VSS Police Check and complete the online application process. Email Placement Requirements (placementrequirements@centennialcollege.ca) for the requested additional information that is required (e.g. Unique code, Clientele duties, etc.) 

All other regions other than Toronto may view the Frequently Visited Police Regions document (#1) for steps to apply online to your region. Letters from the college may be required with your application. I have included the commonly requested region letters. Students will download the form, complete the fields, save to your computer, and submit it with your application. If you cannot open the links, try using a different web browser.

If the problem persists, you may contact placementrequirements@centennialcollege.ca for a pdf version.

Please include the police region you are requesting the letter within your email. 

Prices range from no charge – $30.00 depending on your police region. Prices can be found on the Frequently Visited Police Department form (#3). Please note that the prices are subject to change, and a more accurate account can be found on your police region website. 

(Click +Ctrl to open the document.)

1. Frequently Visited Police Departments 

2. Durham Region Police Service Vulnerable Sector Screening Form 

3. Ontario Provincial Police Service Vulnerable Sector Screening Form 

4. York Region Police Service Vulnerable Sector Screening Form 

5. Hamilton Region Police Service Vulnerable Sector Screening Form 

6. London Region Police Service Vulnerable Sector Screening Form 

7. South Simcoe Region Police Service Vulnerable Sector Screening Form 

8. Bracebridge Region Police Service Vulnerable Sector Screening Form 

9. Guelph Region Police Service Vulnerable Sector Screening Form 

10. Halton Region Police Service Vulnerable Sector Screening Form 

11. General Vulnerable Sector Screening Form 

If you receive a letter from the police department indicating that you will be required to do fingerprinting, please do this as soon as you get the notification. If your Vulnerable Sector Police Check is positive, you are required to obtain a pardon before you can attend your clinical/field placement which may take up to five (5) years. Please refer to Pardons Canada at www.pardons.org. Should you have concerns, you may contact your Success Advisor. 

Step 3. Upload Your Non-Academic Placement Requirements to Verified by Synergy Gateway 

Please note, that you will receive your Synergy Gateway Verified profile login information in September 2025 after you have started your program. It is your responsibility to keep an eye out for Synergy’s email in your myCentennial Inbox including your spam folder. You will not be able to access your Synergy account, until you receive your login information in September. 

Scan each original requirement document and upload to: your Synergy Gateway Verified profile. 

You will receive your log in details to your Centennial College Email account. Once logged in you can change your password. 

Once logged into Verified, please spend some time in the Important forms section. There you will find all the relevant information on your program requirements as well as how to navigate through the portal. 

Synergy Gateway Fees: 

• Students pay the initial submission fee for the first submission of the program year, if an update is required within the same program year, the submission fee is full so please ensure your documents are valid for your entire clinical experience. 
• For resubmissions due to illegible, incomplete or missing documents, there is a reduced follow up fee. 
• Flu documentation can be submitted at any time without charge. If a student labels a document Flu or Covid in error, they will be asked to resubmit the documentation with the correct label. 
• The College and Synergy can agree under special documented circumstances to reduce or waive the submission fee for specific programs/years. 

Cost Factor: You are required to pay a fee to have your documents processed. Please see fee structure below: (rates subject to change).

*Prices subject to change.

Please refer to the Clinical Placement Requirements Handbook for more detailed information.

Tip: submit all requirements at one time to avoid a subsequent document submission fee. 

Step 4. Complete the HSPNet Consent Form 

The HSPNet Consent Form authorizes the School to send your student profile information to authorized staff of our partnering agencies through a portal called Health Sciences Placement Network for the purpose of coordinating placements. Please click on the link to submit your consent: HSPNet Consent Form to receive access. 

Please note: Access will be provided by Clinical Placements after the clearance deadline, however, not all students will receive information about HSPnet, for some placement sites do not use the database. For questions about placement or HSPnet, you may contact: clinicalplacements@centennialcollege.ca 

Step 5. Submit your photo to MyCard 

Students will be issued a placement card prior to the start of placement; therefore, you must ensure that you upload a photo with MyCard. If you do not have a photo on file a placement card will not be issued. 

Placement cards are a requirement for placement. Upload a photo at the website below: myphoto.centennialcollege.ca 

Email myCard@centennialcollege.ca (include your student number) if there’s any issues. 

You will require a photo similar to the photo example provided below. 

Solid light colour background with nothing behind you is required for your photo. 

Step 6. Ensure Your Current Address Is Updated on MyCentennial 

For placing purposes, please ensure your address is correct on MyCentennial. If you require to update, you may find the steps here: Steps to Update Address of MyCentennial 

Clearance Deadline 

Student Placement Checklist and Important Dates for Submission

The student’s Synergy Gateway Inc. account indicates if you have met all of the placement requirements to attend your clinical/field practice. The student’s Synergy Gateway Inc. account is updated once the student has completed and submits electronic copies of their original documentation/certificates that are required to attend practice.

If a student fails to submit documents and be cleared by Synergy Gateway Inc., but attends clinical, they will be pulled from the clinical placement and not be allowed to return which will result in a ‘Fail’ grade.

Submission of Your Clinical Documents  

This notification serves to inform you of the process of submitting your clinical documents (Immunization, Vulnerable Sector Police Check, CPR Level HCP, Standard First Aid, and Mask Fit) for placement.

Your completed electronic documents/certificates will be reviewed virtually and processed online by Synergy Gateway Inc., which is for Health Record Clearance and Management Services for Clinical Pre-Placement.

• You will receive log-in and account information from Synergy Gateway Inc. to your my.Centennial account
• You will need to follow the instructions stated in the email to create and setup your account.
• Your personal information will be protected. No one from Centennial College will have access or be able to view your documentation. All information is shared between you and Synergy Gateway Inc. only.

Please ensure you are cleared for all pre-placement requirements by your deadline in order to secure placement. We highly recommend for students to clear prior to the deadline to avoid any challenges near the deadline. Our clinical placement sites have set deadlines for the Clinical Placement Liaison to submit the names of the students which they need to adhere to; therefore, students cleared after their deadline are in jeopardy of not being included in the placement list sent to the sites. 

International Students 

Students who have immunization records from their home county may use these records, however, they must be translated into English, if in another language. Bring the immunization records with you to a Canadian doctor to complete the Clinical Pre-Placement Health form. If you do not have vaccination records but have been vaccinated for the required vaccinations, you may have a blood test completed when in Canada to determine immunity (for: Varicella, Hep B, MMR). You cannot show blood work lab results for TB, Tetanus, Polio, and Pertussis, therefore, the doses (series) would be required to be administered here in Canada. 

International Students will be required to pay for their immunizations and doctors’ visits. All registered international students at Centennial College are covered by a comprehensive health insurance plan offered through guard.me. This insurance is mandatory for all international students and is included within your fees. Students are covered up to $150.00 for immunizations including TB. The costs for a visit to a walk-in clinic, without insurance is approximately $60.00, however, doctors’ visits are covered through guard.me. insurance. Students would be required to submit their receipts to guard.me. to be reimbursed. The final cost that students would incur for immunizations would be determinant on student immunization history and requirements, as this would vary for each student. Guard Me Insurance Information 

COWP – Co-op Work Permits: what students need to know: 

Approved CoWP is required before the start of the placement. Due to long processing times students should apply at least 1 semester before the start your placement start date (ex: apply in January to start a work term in May). Processing times fluctuate & can be verified here:  Immigration Application Processing Times 

CoWP may be already issued at Point of Entry (PoE) if applied with their initial Study permit (SP). Ex: Programs with mandatory work component when the Coop Letter as part of the Letter of Acceptance package. Students who didn’t receive CoWP upon entry to Canada need to apply for CoWP in Canada 

No cost, in-Canada online application, so students overseas can’t apply (or need to speak to ISA*) 

Please note: The Co-op Work Permit is not required to submit to Synergy for placement clearance, however, it will be required prior to starting your placement. 

Contact for International Student Inquires 

Phone Advising Appointment (15 minutes): centenni.al/isa-booking 

Email: sage@centennialcollege.ca 

Notices 

Please be advised that it is the students’ responsibility to ensure that their placement requirements are updated/renewed prior to each placement semester. You will not be required to submit all your documents again, only ones that would expire or require a renewal. Placement Requirements must be valid for the duration of each placement and cannot expire during your placement term. Students should check their pre- placement document for their issue and expiry dates and their Verified account under the new placement term health form. 

** The status of clinical/field placements and co-op work terms will be subject to public health directives and the reopening plan. Students may complete their placement requirements at sites that are permitted to open, either onsite, followinappropriate health and safety protocols, or remotely. Students will be asked to read and sign a Student Informed Consent form in order to ensure that they understand their rights and the potential health and safety risks. Similarly, employers and/or placement hosts will be required to complete an Employer/Placement Health and Safety Site Checklist.

If workplaces are not permitted to open, placements and work terms may be completed remotely where feasible. In programs where placements or unpaid internships can not be facilitated through alternative/distance models, students will be allowed to complete these components at a later date.