Personal Support Worker (PSW)

Onboarding

1. All students coming to The Michener Institute of Education at UHN for clinical placement must register on the UMLearns registration website. Health professions quick guide may be helpful for students.
2. Once registered, students will receive a link to complete all of the required online orientation modules.
3. Once the modules are complete, students must return to UMLearns, go to the basic Information section of their profile, and enter the date for "Online Learning Modules Completed Date."
4. Please note each profession may have additional profession specific learning requirements

Upon Completion of Placement

1. Students are strongly encouraged to provide feedback about The Michener Institute of Education at UHN so that we can continuously improve. Please share confidential feedback via TAHSN Learner Experience Survey.
2. Students who have a UHN photo ID badge should return the badge to Security.

In 2015, UHN launched Caring Safely, an ambitious initiative to reduce preventable harm, in collaboration with the Hospital for Sick Children. Caring Safely represents UHN’s commitment to reduce preventable harm to zero for patients, caregivers and staff through an organization-wide transformation to become a High Reliability Organization and Learning Health Organization.

The Caring Safely Safety Behaviours and Error Prevention Tools Education equips students and learners with the foundational knowledge, skills and values to eliminate preventable harm. Participants will learn about the UHN Error Prevention Toolkit and have the opportunity to practice using these tools with their peers in a safe environment. Learners will leave the sessions with a better understanding of how they can help prevent harm in health care.

Students can register for Caring Safely sessions.

Please note: you will need to be connected to the UHN network to access the Caring Safely webpage.

UHN values the health and safety of all workers (including employees, physicians, volunteers and students) and requires that they report accidents, exposures, injuries, and near misses to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) as soon as possible after the incident. Reporting these incidents provides opportunities to improve the performance of safety programs, the quality of the working environment and the safety of staff, patients and visitors, and to ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.

When an injury occurs in the workplace, the first priority is to ensure prompt medical treatment for the injured worker and to ensure that any risk to other persons from any device, equipment or physical condition of the workplace has been corrected.

During daytime hours, if a workplace injury or accident occurs, you MUST inform your supervisor and go to Occupational Health and Safety or Emergency.

While learning at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN, please refer to the Occupational Health and Safety webpage for more details and locations.

Incident reporting policy

Occupational Health and Safety Requirements

At The Michener Institute of Education at UHN, we value our relationships with the academic partners as well as the learners. We strive to provide a rich and safe learning environment and part of that process is to ensure that all learners have proper immunization. Please see below the Occupational Health & Safety requirements for all learners prior to placement hours at any of our facilities.

The Michener Institute of Education at UHN requires that learners from all health disciplines have the following:

Immunization Requirements:

• Measles (Documentation of 2 doses of MMR vaccination OR Laboratory evidence of immunity)
• Mumps (Documentation of 2 doses of MMR vaccination OR Laboratory evidence of immunity)
• Rubella (Documentation of 2 doses of MMR vaccination OR Laboratory evidence of immunity)
• Tetanus / Diphtheria / Pertussis (Every 10 Yrs.)
• Influenza (every Winter/Fall) (recommended not mandatory)
• Hepatitis B – Proof of immunity
• Varicella – Varicella – Laboratory evidence of immunity OR documentation of 2 doses of Varicella vaccination
• TB: Mantoux (TB) Skin test status
• A 2-step TB skin test (TST) completed within 28 days of one another, at any time OR TWO separate 1-step TB skin tests (TST) if both completed within the last 12 months
• If any historical TST is positive, documentation of a CHEST X-RAY performed after the positive TST is required
• At least 14 days since final dose of a Health Canada-approved vaccine for COVID-19

Mask Fit Requirements:

• Mask Fit: Date Tested (must be within 2 years) Mask Model/Size
• Students will be asked to provide Mask Fit information to the placement office, but no additional information regarding immunization will be collected as it is the academic partner’s responsibility to ensure compliance

The Michener Institute of Education at UHN encompasses teaching and learning at four hospitals– Princess Margaret, Toronto General and Toronto Western hospitals, and the five campuses of Toronto Rehab – as well as 10 full-time programs at the St Patrick Campus, traditionally known as The Michener Institute. Learn more about the services, programs and amenities offered at each location.

Available resources to help you:

• Get to and around UHN
• In-hospital amenities
• Bike Parking

UHN Shuttle Service
A free shuttle service runs between Toronto Western and Toronto General Hospitals Monday through Friday.

Please connect with your school to determine who the appropriate lead is at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN. The clinical education leader at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN can let you know who your supervisor is and address further questions you may have.

UHN is committed to identifying, removing and preventing barriers to care, services, work and learning. For additional information about accessibility please visit accessibility at UHN.

Should you require accommodations, please contact your school prior to your placement at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN.

We have many different health care professionals working and learning at UHN.

The Michener Institute of Education at UHN is a leader in providing innovative interprofessional education (IPE) for students and staff to learn about, from and with each other. IPE learning opportunities occur through partnerships with students and staff across professions, enhancing our ability to provide excellent patient care through collaborative learning.

Visit Interprofessional Education for more information about interprofessional learning opportunities.

Any learner requiring assistance across The Michener Institute of Education at UHN can find related resources on our Learner Assistance page.

The Michener Institute of Education at UHN is committed to learner and educator wellness at both an individual and at an organizational level. Workplace wellness at UHN is a comprehensive approach to improving the health and wellbeing of employees, trainees and the organization. A healthy organization translates into a more productive and resilient workforce. You can visit our Oasis Wellness Centre - Main Office at Toronto General Hospital – 1NU168.

Learner Leadership Advisory Committee (LLAC)

The Clinical Learner Leadership Advisory Committee (LLAC) provides a novel opportunity for learners to contribute their unique perspectives to educational and organizational planning and processes while strengthening their leadership skills in areas such as:

• Making specific recommendations to improve learners’ experiences
• Participating in strategic planning and other design sessions
• Contributing to organization-wide events
• Participating in committees
• Adding perspectives in focus groups
• Participating in learner and UHN staff leadership initiatives across The Michener Institute of Education at UHN campuses, etc.

For further information or to request learner participation, please connect with Student Services.

As a learner, you are eligible for the following awards:

Sopman Humanitarian Awards

The Sopman Humanitarian Awards are held each year in recognition of exemplary humanitarian care. These awards were funded by the late Archie Sopman in memory of his wife Belle. They were established in recognition of the humanitarian care given by a student nurse while Belle was a patient at Toronto General Hospital. There are a maximum of nine winners awarded each year: three from the department of Nursing, three from the department of Surgery, and three from the department of Medicine.

The key selection criteria for these prestigious awards are:

• Demonstration of excellence in the art and science of humanistic care
• Above-average interpersonal skills shown through interaction with patients and families
• Evidence of the characteristics of compassion and support while providing patient care
• Both clinical and academic excellence

Student services will put out a call for nominations. This typically occurs in March. For more information please contact the student centre. You can also nominate those extraordinary teachers who have contributed to your success as a learner.

Celebrating Education Excellence (Toronto Rehab Specific Awards)

Annually, through our Education Excellence awards, The Michener Institute of Education at UHN recognizes outstanding teachers at Toronto Rehab. For more information and nomination forms please visit celebrating our staff page.

Centre for Interprofessional Education Awards

The Centre for Interprofessional Education has established annual Awards of Merit for Excellence in Interprofessional Education. To learn more, please visit Centre for Interprofessional Education.

Princess Margaret Specific Awards

The Cancer Education and Robert V. Brady Awards recognize Princess Margaret health care workers who go above and beyond every day in many ways; by giving education regarding patient cancer care, creating or supporting innovative treatments and programs; and displaying exemplary compassion, advocacy and patient care.

Wightman-Berris Academy Awards

The Michener Institute of Education at UHN and Mount Sinai Hospital offer the Wightman-Berris Academy Awards that recognize the outstanding teachers and educators who have made significant contributions to health professional education on staff at the hospitals associated with the Wightman-Berris Academy.

The UHN Library Network is one of the largest in Canada and includes health sciences academic libraries across all five campuses (including the hospital-based libraries and the School of Applied Health Sciences Learning Resource Centre), providing expert information leadership across UHN and beyond.

• Hospital-based library
• The School of Applied Health Sciences Learning Resource Centre
• Virtual library

Student Services Centre

Opened in June 2014, The Michener Institute of Education at UHN Student Services Centre is a welcoming environment that provides a central location for students from all health care professions to access placement services, resources and support. Our staff are committed to ensuring students have a positive learning experience and are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to guide students to the rich learning opportunities available throughout the hospital network.

Our Services

The Michener Institute of Education at UHN Student Services Centre is available to support students with all things related to clinical placements. These services include, but are not limited to, registration, orientation, preceptor information, locker location, assistance with dealing with challenging situations, job search, seeking mentors/peer support and evaluations.

Workshops and In-Services

The Michener Institute of Education at UHN Student Services Centre is excited to offer a myriad of professional development workshops for students, staff and visitors. Workshops include resume writing, tips and tricks for successful interviewing, enhancing the student/preceptorship relationship, and career planning/coaching. In-services such as respiratory therapy, pain management, palliative care and many more are available based on demand every semester.

Location

The Student Services Centre is located on the ground floor of Toronto General Hospital beside the food court, along the north-south corridor connecting the Gerrard Street entrance and the MaRS building.
Regular Student Drop-In Hours: Open 8am – 4pm
Contact: studentcentre@uhn.ca

The Paul B. Helliwell Centre for Medical Education

The Paul B. Helliwell Centre for Medical Education is the home base for Wightman-Berris Academy students at Toronto General Hospital. The centre was made possible through a generous donation from the Paul B. Helliwell Foundation.

The Helliwell Centre includes:

• Large classrooms and smaller seminar rooms
• A computer lab available to medical students that includes access to internet and printing capabilities. The computers in the lab give students access to the UHN Intranet site
• A spacious student lounge, with additional computers, phones and a fully functional kitchenette
• Harvey Simulator

An observation corridor between examination rooms can be used to view the interactions through one-way glass windows and sets of headphones allow observers to listen to interactions.

Toronto General Hospital (Helliwell Centre)
200 Elizabeth Street, Eaton North, Ground Floor, Room 001 Contact: 416 340 4846

There are many spaces across the hospital network that can serve as learning spaces.

Med West

MedEd West is located in the Med West Building, immediately across the street from the Bathurst Street entrance to Toronto Western Hospital. The Med West Building sits on the north-west corner of the intersection of Bathurst Street and Dundas Street West.

MedEd West is home for Wightman-Berris students at the Toronto Western Hospital. The Centre is just across the street from the Bathurst Street entrance to the Hospital.

Rooms

• Seminar Rooms (Five total)
  • Equipped with conference tables and large TV screens that can be used as projection screens
  • Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4: accommodate 10 to 12 people
  • Room 5: accommodates up to 25 people

  Educational and Conferencing Equipment
  All seminar rooms contain TV screens that can be linked to any computer and used as a large display screen. Additional audio-visual equipment can be acquired through the Hospital’s Audio-Visual Department.

  Additional Features

• MedEd West has a student lounge and computer lab with two computer stations.
• MedEd West has full wireless service.

To contact staff at MedEd West:
Toronto Western Hospital, The MedWest Building
750 Dundas Street West, 3rd floor, Rm. 305
Toronto ON M5T 2S8
Main Line: 416 603 5924
Fax: 416 603 5415

Student In-Service Workshops

Here at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN, we take great pride in equipping our learners with the knowledge and skills needed to provide the highest quality of health care while becoming best prepared for the patient needs of tomorrow. Each semester, the Student Services Centre hosts a variety of in-service workshops and seminars that focus on areas of professional and personal development. These sessions are only one hour long and are led by experts in a variety of fields. Workshops are open to all learners.

For current workshop offerings please contact the Student Centre.

Education Rounds

Education Rounds are available to all learners across The Michener Institute of Education at UHN. Please visit our intranet site for a full listing and calendar of events.

Other – Site specific education opportunities

Please speak to your preceptor for education opportunities specific to your site and clinical program.

Temerty / Chang Telesimulation Centre

Responding to the critical need for change, the Temerty-Chang International Centre for Telesimulation and Innovation in Medical Education at UHN, Toronto Western Hospital, is bridging a crucial gap in health care in developing countries. Using the latest telecommunications and simulation technology, the Centre provides training in Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) over the Internet for doctors around the world. Surgeons who complete the Centre's program will improve the skills necessary to perform safer, less invasive procedures. The Centre is the first of its kind in the world and will play a pivotal role in achieving the following goals:

1. Increase the number of surgeons certified in Fundamentals of laparoscopic Surgery
2. Evaluate new technology, equipment and methods to advance telesimulation training programs
3. Conduct ongoing research on the impact of telesimulation on patient safety
4. Expand telesimulation training models to other medical disciplines and health care professions such as nursing and biomedical engineering

Ho Ping Kong Centre for Excellence in Education and Practice

The HoPingKong Centre for Excellence in Education and Practice (CEEP) is dedicated to improving medical education at the bedside through innovation and scholarship. The Centre’s purpose is to educate physicians for scholarly careers in General Internal Medicine and train the next generations of doctors who teach. Our group is committed to pioneering new ways of using high fidelity simulation for teaching clinical skills and in emphasizing the importance of the art of medicine.

With a primary purpose that is unique worldwide, the HoPingKong Centre has developed an international following, attracting specialists in training from Canada and abroad. Partnerships with other education centres and a strong emphasis on scholarship ensure that the cutting-edge work done at the HoPingKong Centre benefits learners from across the globe.

Anesthesia Simulation Centre

The Anesthesia Assistants group at UHN manage the Anesthesia High Fidelity Simulation Centre which is used to:

• Training and maintenance of AA staff competency
• Providing ACLS reviews for nurses
• Reviewing crisis management scenarios with anesthesia residents and medical students
• Training MSICU nurses in extracorporeal life support
• Reviewing interprofessional team communication

The simulation program coordinator works collaboratively with clinical educators from various disciplines to create unique scenarios that are tailored to the specific educational and training needs of the group utilizing the centre. The scenarios provide formative and summative assessments with structured feedback for the participants.

CASE

With 20,000 square feet of simulation space, the Centre for the Advancement of Simulation and Education (CASE), located at the St. Patrick Campus of The Michener Institute of Education at UHN, is one of the largest simulation-based learning centres in Canada and will serve our larger community as an innovative space where interprofessional, simulation-based learning and evaluation can occur. Our expertise in curriculum design and delivery makes our centre the perfect partner in your organization’s learning and education plans. You can address complex team training or high-stakes assessment of clinical skills at CASE.

Emergency Medicine Simulation

Research Simulation Labs – Toronto Rehab KITE

Please visit Toronto Rehab KITE to learn more about the simulation labs at Toronto Rehab used for research and innovation.

UHN is Canada’s leading research hospital network, so you may have the opportunity to engage in clinical or educational research. For more information about research at UHN, please explore these resources as well as the office of the research trainee (ORT) to ensure you have completed all necessary requirements to conduct research.

• UHN Research Institutes
• UHN Libraries
• CAP Research and Innovation for information on practice based research
• Office of Research Trainees
• Wilson Centre
• Centre for Interprofessional Education (CIPE)
• Research Institute for Health Care Education

Open communication and learning from each other is highly encouraged in the clinical teacher-learner partnership at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN. Discuss with your clinical teacher how feedback (formal/informal) will occur throughout your clinical placement/internship.

For Clinical Teaching Resources please visit Resources for Teaching and Learning at UHN.

For an online modular program to help health care learners and clinical teachers (preceptors) prepare for clinical placements, please visit University of Western Ontario Preceptor Education Program (PEP).

The UHN International Centre for Education (UHN ICE) offers a wide variety of Continuing Education and Professional Development opportunities such as observership-based personalized programs, Continuing Education online courses and in-person workshops.

Observership (authorized guest) visits provide an invaluable learning experience for individuals who have a passion for health care. The Michener Institute of Education at UHN is committed to fostering an environment for academic learning and sharing knowledge. We are proud to welcome observers from around the world.

Through an observership/authorized guest visit, health care professionals and students have an opportunity to learn by observing examinations and other procedures performed by our physicians, surgeons, nurses, and other staff in our hospitals.

For instructions on how to find a sponsor for an Observership please visit request sponsor page.

UHN is a preferred place to work and learn. We focus on creating a workplace where people enjoy the challenge of their career, create and engage in best practices and are treated with respect. For information on a career at UHN, please visit: UHN Careers page.

While logged onto the intranet at UHN, you can also access our Human Resources – Career Hub Development Opportunities Page.

Volunteer resources span four hospitals (across seven sites) and provide our patients, families, visitors and staff with assistance and services to help augment the efforts of caring and busy professional staff. To learn more about how to become a volunteer, please visit Volunteering at UHN.

Centre for Interprofessional Education

Learners wishing to advance their leadership skills may be interested in pursuing the EHPIC and Collaborative Change Leadership Programs through the Centre for Interprofessional Education (CIPE). CIPE is a strategic partnership between the University of Toronto and the Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network, with the University Health Network as lead hospital.

Michener Continuing Education

Whether you are looking for growth within your profession, an opportunity to build or refresh your skills, or new career possibilities, Continuing Education at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN is here to support your lifelong learning goals.

Continuing Education at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN offers a wide selection of courses and certificate programs that will enhance your professional qualifications.

Oncology and Palliative Care Education

de Souza Institute offers health care professionals online courses to enhance expertise to provide the best possible cancer and palliative care. Through de Souza Institute, health care professionals obtain the specialized skills to guide and help cancer patients throughout their journey (prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and palliation). de Souza Institute courses are offered primarily online.

Visit de Souza Institute offerings to learn more.

Conference Services

The Conference and Educational Technology Services (CETS) department is a one-stop-shop for all of your event and education needs.

For more information on developing your teaching skills, please visit Clinical Educators.

Interprofessional Facilitation

Interprofessional facilitators are always needed for various interprofessional sessions. To get involved in IPE facilitation, please contact us.

Facilitating Groups

Getting Started workshops are held throughout the year. Develop your skills in facilitating interprofessional small groups, attend a facilitation workshop in the fall of each year. Please check the Education Calendar for upcoming workshops or contact us at jill.krupa@uhn.ca for more information about facilitation workshops. Please note the Education Calendar is only available on the intranet.

The Michener Institute of Education at UHN is a leader in providing innovative interprofessional education (IPE) for students and staff to learn about, from and with each other. IPE learning opportunities occur through partnerships with students and staff across professions, enhancing our ability to provide excellent patient care through collaborative learning.

Visit Interprofessional Education for more information about interprofessional learning opportunities.

UHN is the lead hospital in the strategic partnership between the University of Toronto, Centre for Interprofessional Education and the Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network (TAHSN). For more information about team-based learning, please visit the IPE webpage.