The IWK hosts a variety of learners from all professions. We work closely with educational institutions across Canada, as well as staff, managers, and program leaders within the IWK, to arrange unpaid hands-on clinical and non-clinical placements for postsecondary students from a wide range of disciplines (except medicine). We also arrange sharing of expertise, professional development, and maintenance of competency placements for health care professionals employed by various Canadian institutions, such as the Department of National Defence and hospitals in other provinces. Learners at the IWK are supported by staff who have completed our Preceptor Workshop and have developed a skill set that will help make individual learning experiences positive ones.
The IWK uses the Health Services Placement Network (HSPnet) database to process/manage requests for learners. As a learning and teaching organization, the IWK is committed to creating supportive, collaborative learning environments, that foster the development of all students/learners and their transition to practice.
Please follow the steps below in your Learner Placement journey.
Step 1: Fill out Learner Placement Request
Step 2: Background/Health Screening Check
Step 3: Fill out required documents
Step 4: OPOR-CIS Training
Questions regarding learner placement should be directed to:
Cathy Miller-Sutcliffe, Learning Coordinator
Email: cathy.miller-sutcliffe@iwk.nshealth.ca
Step 1: Fill out Learner Placement Request
The first step in the Learner Placement process is to fill out this placement form.
Step 2: Background Check
- Criminal record check
- Vulnerable sector search
These checks need to be done at your local RCMP/City Police detatchment or physician/Nurse Practioner.
Step 2-1: Health Screening Check
If you are a (Wet Lab) Research Learner who is going to be listed on the Biosafety permit for the Wet Lab, you need to fill out the below form:
If not, you will fill out the below form:
These documents must be submitted to your placing co-ordinator or instructor.
Step 3: Fill out required documents
- HSPnet Consent Form
- IWK Letter of Agreement (Appendix A is to be filled out by the students educational institution)
- IWK Privacy Contract
These documents need to be printed out and completed.
instructor.
Step 4: OPOR-CIS Training Information for Student Learners
As part of Nova Scotia’s healthcare transformation, One Person One Record (OPOR) will provide real-time, comprehensive access to patient information and support consistent, high-quality care across both IWK Health and Nova Scotia Health.
Effective December 6, 2025, all students completing placements at IWK Health who require access to patient documentation must complete OPOR-CIS training. Training is mandatory and must be completed at least 10 days before your placement begins. Training details will be sent directly to your school email within 30 days of your placement start date.
Please review the full OPOR Student Training Statement for more information.
For commonly asked questions, see our OPOR Student FAQ.
If you have any questions, please email oporstudentlearners@nshealth.ca.
For additional support related to IWK placements, you may also contact Cathy Miller-Sutcliffe at Cathy.Miller-Sutcliffe@iwk.nshealth.ca