It’s time for your field placement!

Your field placement in Term 4, is an unpaid one-day-per-week work experience in a healthcare related field, including but not limited to, hospitals, medical office setting, and health care clinics. This opportunity will provide you with the practical, hands-on opportunity to apply theories and concepts learned in the Office Administration – Health Services classroom and engage directly with industry partners.

During Term 4 you are expected to complete 100 hours, in total, of work experience in a health-care setting. You will apply and develop knowledge and skills in an office environment either in a community or hospital setting. Throughout your placement you will be required to maintain a journal and present an oral reflection to peers and faculty.

The main objectives of your field placement are:

  • To apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom to a healthcare related field, i.e. community or hospital setting
  • To provide you with an opportunity to learn how an office or institutional office functions
  • To allow you to explore career choices

During your term of field placement, you will participate in a Learning Agreement between you and your field placement employer, so that throughout the experience you can practice and demonstrate competencies and skills you learned in-class. In turn you will develop new skills and gain experience.

Your field placement will enhance the topics you learn while in class and it will give you a chance to develop practical skills and knowledge. This experience will enhance your resume and your chances to gain meaningful employment upon graduation.

Think of your field placement as an opportunity to audition for full time employment and secure excellent employment references.

Placement Requirements:

In order to participate with the field placement experience, you must have successfully completed all previous terms/courses and demonstrated satisfactory attendance and punctuality throughout the program within the first three terms. Additionally, you must complete the mandatory immunization forms and mask fitting that are expected of many health-care-related employers by the deadlines provided during orientation. Non-compliance with the above requirements may jeopardize your participation in placement.

The field placement is graded (S/U) satisfactory or unsatisfactory based upon the employer’s evaluation, field placement report and the submission of all evaluations. Due to the importance placed on this component, know that you cannot graduate unless you have successfully completed the 100 hours of field placement. Final grades will be posted when the final material is submitted to Enrolment Services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect to achieve from a field placement experience?
Your field placement experience is an opportunity to apply the knowledge you’ve learned in the classroom directly to the health care industry. Also, you will have the chance to work on tasks that will further your understanding of Office Administration– Health Services and the possible career options you can pursue. Use this opportunity to work on organizational projects, ask questions, network, and learn a wide range of skills that will serve in your development as future personnel in health care. Your field placement experience can be what you make it to be!
What should I do to prepare for my field placement?
There are pre-requisites required to be completed by the end of October in Term 3 – CDS, Mask Fitting, Preference Forms and Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening. Students’ medical requirements (CDS) in the Office Administration – Health Services program includes proof of immunity to Varicella, Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses), Hepatitis B, and Tetanus Diphtheria, Pertussis as well as documentation of a 2-step TB test is required. CDS completion is a requirement for placements in a hospital environment and compliance with the Public Hospitals Act.
Are field placements paid?
No, field placement experience positions are not paid. In exchange for your work, your employer is providing applied learning experience and fulfilling the program requirements. In some cases, students may find a field placement position on their own that is paid. In such instances, a student must inform the Placement Officer.
When do field placements begin and end?
To graduate you must successfully complete a total of 100 hours of field placement. Before you can start placement in your fourth term, you must complete CDS, mask fitting, preference forms and Criminal Record Check. Additionally, in term 3, you will take part in 3 separate 2-hour workshops with the Placement Officer. You will cover topics pertaining to professionalism, good work ethics, confidentiality, privacy, and other related best practice guidelines, as well as complete any required workplace preparation modules.
Following the above steps, students will then be placed with employers, and you will work at your assigned workplace starting the first week of term in January. During that fourth term of school, you will complete 100 hours (14 weeks, a full day once a week).
How am I supposed to travel to my assigned employer?
Students are responsible for all personal transportation and associated costs while attending their field placement.
What should I wear while at work? Do I need to buy a work wardrobe?
Students are responsible for following guidelines of acceptable conduct and attire while on field placement. The student must have a neat appearance and good personal hygiene. Business casual attire is acceptable for administrative professions in a field placement setting. The required dress code will be confirmed by your supervisor on your first day of field placement.
What are my responsibilities?
Students should:
  • Exhibit dependability and punctuality; adhere to the employer’s hours of work
  • Work effectively and respect others in a team setting
  • Meet dress code standards set by the employer
  • Comply with established procedures and policies in professional settings
  • Exhibit effective organization and customer service skills i.e. telephone manners/techniques
  • Follow established rules, policies and or commonly accepted professional practice i.e. maintain confidentiality with all information
  • Perform in a safe manner that minimizes risk to client/patient/customer, self and others

Students are expected to respect the privacy of patients/clients in all instances and maintain confidentiality with all information that they are privileged to collect and use during their field placement. Any breach of confidentiality will be reviewed and may result in a student’s dismissal from their field placement experience.

Where can I do my field placement?
Field placement experiences can be completed in community offices; doctors, chiropractors, physiotherapists health clinics or in institutional settings (hospitals, nursing homes, hospice). Positions outside of the field of Office Administration – Health Services will not be approved as field placement. The field placement experience should be selected to further your understanding of Office Administration – Health Services.
Can I arrange my own field placement?
Many of the field placements will exist as a result of the Placement Officer’s efforts, however, if a student does establish a lead for an opportunity the student should give the employer’s contact information to the Placement Officer so that all details of the placement can be determined. Students finding placements for themselves is encouraged.
What if I’m sick and miss a day?
Attendance: Students must complete 100 hours in Term 4 to meet program requirements. Missing any field placement days may put the student at risk of receiving a failing grade in the course. In the event of absence or illness, students must follow the procedure below by reporting their absence to the employer and the college.

Reporting Absence: The student must notify the employer that they will be absent and send a follow-up email to the Placement Officer.

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