Placement Offices

Please refer to Health Canada, Ontario Public Health, Travel Advisories and other resources to remain up to date on how you might be impacted by global events and travel.

Our clinical agency partners have implemented their own individual policies with respect to COVID-19 immunization that remain subject to change.

The COVID-19 immunization is included as a requirement on Clinical Preparedness Permit (CPP) for students in programs with placements in off-campus settings (e.g. Practical Nursing, Pharmacy Technician, etc.) 

If you do not want to get the vaccine (e.g. religious reasons, personal reasons, medical etc.) you may complete the immunization waiver on the bottom of page 3 of your CPP. While this will allow you to receive a “pass” from Synergy Gateway on the requirements for immunization, it does not mean that agencies will accept you for placement. Please read the waiver carefully to fully understand how this type of situation could affect your ability to progress successfully through your program.

We understand that it may be difficult at times for students to update their Clinical Preparedness Permit requirements for a number of unpredictable reasons (e.g. natural disasters, IT service outages, etc.) that can impact available services in the province. When these situations occur, students must continue to upload any required documents that they are able to obtain to their profile on Synergy Gateway to keep their permit as up to date as possible. There are some alternative options in place that students could consider and but are only used as a temporary solution. Please see these listed below:

• Please see the Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) section below for more information.
• Immunizations – If you’re unable to complete required immunizations you have the option to sign the waiver on the bottom of page 3 of the Clinical Preparedness Permit, “Student to read and sign if unable to meet the Immunization Requirements” and submit this to Synergy Gateway. Individuals who elect to sign this need to carefully consider the risks outlined in the waiver before proceeding. Students are encouraged to still proceed with immunizations when they are able and to update their information with Synergy.
• Tuberculosis (TB) skin tests – If you’re unable to complete your TB skin test requirements, you’ll receive a “fail” on your permit requirements. You may request a “conditional pass” or “temporary exemption” by submitting an inquiry to the Clinical Placement Office through MyGCLife

If your permit items are not complete, you won’t receive a pass from Synergy Gateway (except for the instances outlined above). If you have been given a “conditional pass” on one or more items, you’ll need to disclose which permit items are not complete and be prepared to show all completed documentation in place of a passed permit to your placement agency (off-campus clinical) for review. Please ensure you keep the original documents safe so that they are readily accessible (e.g. paper original or copies). Failure to disclose to an agency that you have not met their requirements would be a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Students attending clinical placements are considered guests at their clinical host sites and, as such, they must abide by all policies and requirements the host location has in place for students. Some clinical placements may, at times, implement restrictions that prevent both staff and students from working in multiple locations (e.g. during a viral outbreak) – the clinical site being considered a work location. While these restrictions would generally be seen in long-term care homes, they could be implemented at any health-care facility.

Students are advised to consider not accepting employment when they’re going to be attending clinical placement as these situations are unpredictable and could negatively impact a student’s ability to progress through their program.

We realize this recommendation may cause financial pressure students hadn’t anticipated. If you need to discuss financial aid options, please email Financial Aid.

These types of placements are subject to program approval, availability and to local, provincial and/or federal government regulations (i.e. travel restrictions).

If you need assistance with how to apply for the co-op work permit, please check MyGCLife.

If you have not received your co-op work permit yet and are at risk of not being able to attend your clinical placement, please submit an inquiry through MyGCLife .

Practising self-care and asking for help is often challenging for health care workers, given that people in these roles may prioritize the needs of others over their own. Please remember that it is essential for you to take care of your mental health and well-being at all times.

Georgian is here to help you:

• create a self-care plan and build awareness of your personal well-being
• recognize your own personal symptoms that might suggest your mental health needs some attention
• continually monitor and assess your mental health and well-being
• plan to access resources and supports as part of your regular self-care routine

Create a self-care plan

We encourage you to create a self-care plan prior to starting your placement and to maintain and adjust it as needed in order to support positive mental health.

• Email mhwb@georgiancollege.ca to register for an online self-care workshop
• Review the self-care guide for students

Monitor and assess

• Your student insurance plan includes My Wellness and access to FeelingBetterNow which allows you to assess your current mental health in five to 10 minutes. Immediately access tools for stress reduction and for managing your symptoms.
• How well are you coping with the stress in your life? The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has several validated tools available for you to use to self-monitor your stress level, including Perceived Stress Scale, GAD-7 and Stress Can Drag You Down. Explore CAMH mental health resources during COVID-19.

Access resources and supports

• Georgian’s counselling team is available to support you! Make a telephone appointment with a counsellor between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. by calling 1.877.722.1523.
• Review mental health and well-being resources in MyGCLife
• Togetherall: Online mental health and well-being services offers self-help programs, creative outlets and a community that cares
• Bounce Back: If you’re experiencing low mood, depression and anxiety, BounceBack can help. Learn skills to help you manage worry and anxiety, combat unhelpful thinking, and become more active and assertive
• Flourishing Friday: Holistic well-being

Pages two and three of the Clinical Preparedness Permit Information Package outlines the programs whose students must complete the requirements. Watch a video to learn more about the Clinical Preparedness Permit.

The due date to have all requirements complete and verified by Synergy Gateway differs for each program. Please refer to pages two and three of the information package or contact your program co-ordinator for a more specific date. Watch a video to learn more about the Clinical Preparedness Permit.

It can take up to three months to obtain all of your requirements (with no extenuating circumstances). Depending on your personal immunization status, it can take weeks to determine your level of immunity. Depending on your personal immunization status, it can take weeks to determine your level of immunity. Also, depending on the wait times, it can take more than 12 weeks to receive your Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC).

Please note: The RCMP’s PVSC mandates that if your date of birth and gender matches an individual in the Sex Offender Databases, your fingerprints will be required to complete the PVSC. This situation can take several weeks to resolve.

The forms are posted above in Forms and Placement Requirements. Watch a video to learn more about the Clinical Preparedness Permit.

All costs, service fees and fines associated with the overall requirements are the responsibility of the student. Costs are dependent upon each student’s needs. The college does not have control over these costs.

Synergy Gateway’s fees are posted on their website. If you’re in a government or other sponsored program, please contact your program co-ordinator regarding fees.

You’ll need to renew or re-certify your requirements to ensure that they are current for the academic year and that they will not expire during your placement.

Action First Aid Training runs sessions most days of the week, including weekends, at their training centre in the south end of Barrie at 92 Commerce Park Drive #5 in Barrie. Georgian students receive 10 percent off services when using the promo code GEORGIAN.

Barrie First Aid Training is another option and is located at 4 Alliance Blvd, Unit 7 in Barrie and is walking distance from the Barrie Campus. They offer a Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)-approved blended learning program. Georgian students receive 15 percent off services when using the promo code GEORGIAN at checkout.

These courses are also available through the Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, Heart and Stroke Foundation or the local YMCA Centre. If you take a CPR course through another provider, please ensure that you register for the appropriate course level and that the program follows the Canadian Heart and Stroke guidelines.

Please note: Blended (online and in person) CPR and SFA courses are acceptable, but completely online courses are not. CPR must be re-certified annually unless otherwise noted on pages two and three of the clinical preparedness permit information package.

As long as you have provided serology/blood work, started the three-step immunization series and have completed the second dose, you’ll be cleared to attend placement. It is the responsibility of the student to then follow up in completing the series, as medically directed.

Students who are known to be infected with Hepatitis B are recommended to contact the director of clinics and placements by emailing clinicalplacementoffice@georgiancollege.ca prior to completing an electronic requirements verification with Synergy Gateway.

Do not proceed with immunization or serology. There is a form available to you within the Synergy Gateway Verified platform in the “Important Forms” section on the left menu. It is called “FORM_-HWS-002_CPP_Hepatitis_B_TB_HCP_Certification.pdf”. You may complete this form with your Healthcare Provider and submit with your permit documents in lieu of proceeding with immunization and serology.

A minimum of two appointments will be needed if all of your immunizations are current. However, depending on your personal situation, additional appointments may be required.

Explain that you need a fully completed health form (Clinical Preparedness Permit) and all of the shaded areas need to be signed and stamped by your health-care professional. Instructions are provided in the information package.

You should bring the following to your appointment:

• clinical/field pre-placement health form
• health card or health insurance card
• any proof of immunization (yellow card) and/or municipal/regional health unit form(s) that outline record of your immunization history
• money, if necessary (costs do vary)

Please contact Student Services.

You should contact your local police service by telephone or visit their website to find out their application process. Some police agencies offer an online application process. Please contact your local police service for more information.

Please note: Not all police departments follow the same guidelines and costs do vary. Please see the police vulnerable sector check helpful hints document for more information.

Please determine ahead of time what your local police service needs from you in order to process your PVSC application. Instructions on obtaining a letter for your application can be found on the police vulnerable sector check helpful hints document.

Some police detachments have extended wait times that are inconsistent across the province with respect to the wait times for Police Criminal Record Checks (PCRC)/Police Vulnerable Sector Checks (PVSC).  At Georgian College we know that getting your PCRC/PVSC on time is especially challenging during the pandemic.

If you have applied for, but not yet received your PCRC/PVSC and need to complete your electronic requirements verification we are providing a temporary option for you.  You’re required to disclose to your clinical placement agency that you have not yet received your PCRC/PVSC. Failure to do so is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Please see the PCRC/PVSC declaration document for instructions.

There is a form available to you within the Synergy Gateway Verified platform in the “Important Forms” section on the left side menu. Download and complete the form called “Student Under 18 Form_revised.pdf”. Then submit that for your electronic requirements verification along with the required proof for date of birth as indicated at the top of the form.

Georgian College offers on-campus mask fit testing at limited times during the year of the brands of masks required for our students to attend clinical placements (including the Georgian College Oral Health Clinic). Program co-ordinators are notified of the schedule for appointments. If students do not attend one of the clinics that are offered they may find it difficult to obtain what is needed elsewhere.

Georgian College is not responsible to ensure students are able to obtain mask fit testing. Students who do not have mask fit tests are at risk for not being able to attend clinical for occupational health and safety reasons. Any costs and implications associated with mask fit testing are the full responsibility of the Georgian College student.

Below are some alternate service providers:

• Peak Excellence
• Concise Health Solutions 
• First for Safety
• SCL Education & Staffing Solutions (Barrie)/Email

Students should be tested first on 3M 1870+, 1860 and 8210.  These are the models most commonly stocked by our area hospitals.  Next are 3M 1860s, 1804 and 1804s.

Please note:  Georgian College does not make representations or warranties concerning N95 mask fit testing. It is your responsibility to research whether the product and service of the N95 mask fit testing service meets the requirements as evaluated by Synergy Gateway, the Clinical Preparedness Permit and information package in order to continue with placements. In addition, at this time, front line health-care settings (e.g. hospitals, long term care homes etc.) will only accept mask fit testing for the 3M brand. Please check with your program co-ordinator to ensure you select the correct brand.

Students will be responsible for the cost associated with their mask fit testing.

You’ll be given access to Verified, a software platform by Synergy Gateway, via secure username and password. Your username and password will be emailed to you shortly after you register for your first semester classes. Please check your student email account.

Tip: Check your junk or spam folder, as these emails are system generated and often end up there.

Submit a ticket with Synergy Gateway’s help desk.