CEWIL Resource Hub: Field Placement at Mohawk College

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Students complete pre-placement classes to prepare them for their experience within the living classrooms. The learning within these classes is facilitated by faculty in a classroom/lab setting to help students gain a basic understanding of the skill and theory needed as a PSW or therapist. Students then take these skills and translate them into practical experience on the floor in their designated retirement and/or long-term care facility. They work alongside long-term care teams and families to develop and share new approaches to particular skills depending on the patient's needs.

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Key success factors

  • Locating classroom space and student placements within the same community creates a valuable experience for students and is also beneficial to the communities’ residents. 
  • The college shares many of the same values with its partners, including the need to create a stronger/healthier community. The college wanted students to use their skill sets to improve their communities, and the program has led to phenomenal employment connections for students.  
  • The initial program launch (massage therapy) was so successful that the college’s partners were interested in, and encouraged, expansion. 

Unique characteristics

  • Embedding classrooms within the placements in the living communities is an innovative solution to both classroom and student placement shortages. 

Resources

Key characteristics

  • Type: Field placement
  • Year program was established: 2017
  • Number of students per year: 240 - 280
  • Number of employers/partners per year: 2
  • Programs/academic disciplines participating: Massage therapy, Health, wellness, and fitness, Personal support worker (PSW)
  • Duration of experience: 100 (health/wellness/fitness), 270 (PSW), 300 (massage therapy)
  • Submitted by: Amanda Malkiewich