Student opportunities

NL Health Services is committed to fostering the next generation of health-care professionals. Our student placement programs provide invaluable, hands-on experiences across a range of disciplines, including nursing, medicine, allied health, and administrative support.

Whether you’re a student pursuing a career in health care or looking to gain practical knowledge in a dynamic environment, we offer opportunities to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact. 

Join us in delivering exceptional care to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador while advancing your education and professional journey.

Explore your potential with NL Health Services, where learning meets care.

Step 1: Contact us
We offer student placements in both health-care and non-clinical professions. Each profession has its own contact and may have specific procedures for applying. Placement requests should be made by a representative from your educational institution through our online student placement coordination tool, HSPnet.

If you have questions about accessing HSPnet, contact: Student.Services@nlhealthservices.ca.

Step 2: Sign an Affiliation Agreement
An affiliation agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities between NL Health Services and the educational institution. A signed affiliation agreement is required before a student placement request is considered. This agreement ensures everyone’s safety and well-being. A current certificate of insurance from your educational institution is also required.

To obtain an affiliation agreement, contact the Student Services Office to confirm your educational institution has an agreement and insurance certificate with NL Health Services. If not, your institution can email their request to Student.Services@nlhealthservices.ca. It is the responsibility of the educational institution to establish the affiliation agreement.  

Requests should be made three to six months before the placement start date. Once received, NL Health Services will send the agreement for signature. Please note that NL Health Services does not sign educational institution agreement templates. 

Once the agreement is in place, proceed to Step 3.

Step 3: Complete pre-placement requirements
When your affiliation agreement is signed and placement confirmed via HSPnet, you will need to complete a series of pre-placement requirements. If they are not met, your placement may be denied. It is important to keep confirmation of these requirements, as NL Health Services may request it at a later date.

Students seeking their own placement (not affiliated with a school)
If you are not affiliated with an educational institution (e.g. dietetic interns or professionals seeking re-entry to practice), you may apply for a NL Health Services placement. You will need to follow Steps 1-3, including signing an affiliation agreement. Proof of general and professional liability insurance coverage is required and requirements outlined by your respective professional regulatory organization should be followed.

Your request should be made three to six months before the placement start date.

Immunization
Working in health-care environments place students at risk of exposure to communicable diseases. To prevent the spread of disease and protect one another, all students must submit a Pre-Placement Health Screening Form (PDF) signed by a health-care provider. 

This form provides evidence that the student’s immune status meets the Canadian Immunization Guidelines, which includes immunization against:

• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Acellular Pertussis (DT or DTP)
• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Hepatitis B (in some disciplines)
• Annual Influenza (recommended)
• Covid-19 vaccination (recommended)

 

Health-care providers can find assessment and follow up information on the communicable disease requirements outlined in the Pre-Placement Health Screening Form (PDF).

Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador can obtain immunization records from their local public health office.

 

Criminal record checks
All students are required to provide a satisfactory certificate of conduct (e.g. criminal record check) issued within the last six months prior to their placement. For students seeking placements considered to be in a position of trust (e.g. working with vulnerable populations), a vulnerable sector check is also required.

We accept background checks from:

• Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
• RCMP – Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Checks 
• National Police Agency or government in their home country or province. 

 

For questions about unsatisfactory background checks, contact the Provincial Manager – Student and Volunteer Services.

 

Privacy and confidentiality
As a student, you will work with members of the public to promote, restore and support health. You will have access to sensitive health-care information and documentation. It is your responsibility to protect this information and adhere to privacy laws, such as the Newfoundland and Labrador Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) and NL Health Services Privacy Statement.

Before your placement, you are required to:

• Complete online PHIA education. A certificate of completion will be provided. You will receive course access instructions once your placement is confirmed. 
• Review and sign NL Health Services Privacy and Confidentiality policy and complete the Privacy and Confidentiality Oath or Affirmation . The oath or affirmation should be completed prior to your placement and should be witnessed by a commissioner for oaths or notary public. 

 

Mask fit testing
Personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns, masks, face shield/goggles and face masks may be used to protect health-care and service providers from exposure to bodily fluids, airborne pathogens and chemicals found in health-care settings. 

If your placement could involve exposure to airborne pathogens (TB, measles, chickenpox, etc.) or handling hazardous medications, you will be fit tested for an N95 mask. This is typically arranged by your educational institution prior to your placement. NL Health Services provides N95 masks.

 

Workers’ compensation
If you are attending a government-funded post-secondary institution in Newfoundland and Labrador (Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic) and attending required placement as part of your course of study, you are considered a worker under the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s policy and are covered under the Government’s Workers’ Compensation Policy during your placement.

Students attending private schools in Newfoundland and Labrador or registered in other provinces or countries should check with their home institution or workers’ compensation division for coverage details.