Northern Health is committed to supporting students in their academic and professional journeys. In partnership with our education partners, our goal is to provide learning opportunities across the region for students and practitioners from a variety of health care disciplines.
Student placements provide hands-on experience in a wide variety of health care and specialty settings, as well as an opportunity for students to consolidate skills, grow confidence, and build knowledge to practice effectively in their field.
Working closely with post secondary institutions, Student Practice Education works to connect students to clinical learning opportunities in diverse health care settings and communities across the region.
Northern Health follows the BC Student Practice Education Guidelines and considers placement requests in priority from local, provincial, national, and international public and private educational institutions, other agencies, and non-affiliated individuals. All requests for student placements must be submitted through HSPnet. Please do not contact our facilities or staff directly to request student placement opportunities.
An affiliation agreement is required between the health authority and the educational institution associated with the learning to accept placement requests.
For more information please contact our team at studentpractice@northernhealth.ca or review our Student Placement Process with HSPnet.
Student placement prerequisites
Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO)
All students are required to complete the Student Practice Education Core Orientation or SPECO (curriculum) on the LearningHub. If you don't have an account you will need to create one to access the SPECO orientation.
For more information on provincial student placement requirements, please visit orientation and preparation.
Electronic systems
To support greater integration into the working role, access to electronic systems is provided for students engaging in a student practice experience in Northern Health. In partnership with our educational institutions, we will coordinate system and technology access to support a more integrated student placement experience.
- Student placement system access process (PDF) - Northern Health
Confidentiality agreement
All students must complete the Privacy and Confidentiality LearningHub course and sign a Confidentiality Agreement that will be stored by their educational institution. Proof of signed form may be requested by their placement unit or facility.
Immunizations
All students must adhere to the BC Practice Education Guidelines on Immunizations before starting any student practice experience in a Northern Health site or facility. Students should contact their school to determine the best way to provide documentation related to their immunization status.
Fit testing
Fit testing is the responsibility of educational institutions and must be completed prior to starting a student practice experience. In the event of a disease outbreak, students without proof of fit testing may be removed from the clinical placement temporarily.
CPR
The requirement of CPR training is dependent on the student’s program of study and their educational institution’s requirements.
The Northern Health Employed Student Nurse Program (ESN) supports second and third year (or equivalent) BScN and RPN students in consolidating their skills and confidence as they grow into the role of a professional nurse.
Program opportunities
- Gain experience in new communities and areas of health care
- Engage in summer or year-round employment
- Develop interdisciplinary teamwork and communication skills
- Consolidate previously learned competencies and apply them to practice
- Gain experience, confidence, and knowledge of the nursing role
Annual Employed Student Nurse opportunities will be open from November 1 to 30 each year. You can apply for position intake dates of April 1, May 1, June 1, or July 2.
Criteria for employment
- Active registration in a recognized RN or RPN education program
- Good standing in year 2 or 3 (or equivalent) of a BScN or RPN program
- Ability to obtain Employed Student Registration with BCCNM
- Proof of Certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support
Apply in 3 steps (late applications after November 30)
- Complete the pre-screen form
- Email your resume and cover letter to studentpractice@northernhealth.ca
- Have your referee (clinical/lab instructor or past nursing supervisor) submit your ESN reference form to studentpractice@northernhealth.ca
Our main application period closed on November 30, but late applications will still be accepted. Late applicants are processed on a first come, first serve basis and availability of positions cannot be guaranteed.
Please do not approach departments directly for ESN employment. Contact studentpractice@northernhealth.ca for any questions.
Resources
- ESN pre-screen form (Online form)
- ESN reference form (Fillable PDF)
- Northern Health communities and facilities map (PDF)
Testimonials
"Being an ESN is one of the most valuable experiences we get as students. It gives us a chance to not only learn and experience more than we would in our clinical rotations, but it provides us with the opportunity to take control of our learning by choosing areas of interest to further develop our knowledge and skills. I feel much more prepared to enter the workforce because of the extra experience I gained as an ESN."
"The ESN program is very helpful to prepare (you) for what nursing is, and (how to) start learning to problem solve on your own. The program also helps you to identify what your strengths and weaknesses are and the areas in need of improvement."
While studying in a Registered or Practical Nursing program, you may qualify for registration as a Health Care Aide.
- Practical Nursing students - following successful completion of terms 1 and 2
- Registered Nursing students - variable depending on institution
See BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry for more information, and the Northern Health jobsite for current opportunities with Northern Health.
Northern Health proudly supports new graduate health care professionals through our New Graduate Transition Program (NGTP). Grounded in research and evidence informed practices, the program offers workshops, mentorship, learning supports, and supernumerary shifts designed to ease transition shock and support the shift from student to practicing health care professional during the first 18 months of employment.
The goals of the New Graduate Transition Program
- To build meaningful relationships with new health care professionals and support their career growth and growth and long-term success within Northern Health
- To provide resources, guidance, and ongoing support to new graduates and interdisciplinary teams that assist with their transition to practice
- To foster opportunities for shared learning and growth between new graduates and interdisciplinary team members
- To offer funding and structured supports that help new graduates consolidate their skills and knowledge, including supernumerary shifts, extended orientation, and role-specific training as needed
- To deliver a program grounded in continuous quality improvement through regular evaluation and ongoing refinement
- To provide connection to mentorship opportunities with Northern Health professionals from their discipline to support the development of clinical judgment and collaborative practice skills
The program is open to nursing and allied health care professionals who are within the first 18 months post graduation and are newly hired into regular, temporary and casual positions in Northern Health.
For more information, please contact studentpractice@northernhealth.ca.
Northern Health offers comprehensive new graduate supports and dedicated funding to help with transition to practice education and mentorship. Newly graduated Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Registered Nurses (RN), Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN), or students should apply when nearing the completion of their program for career opportunities through the New Graduate LPN/RN/RPN postings on the Northern Health Jobsite.
New Graduate LPN, RN and RPN applications are accepted year-round, and application dates are included within the postings.
Criteria for employment
- Recent graduation from a recognized nursing education program, however, applicants can apply in their final year of study
- Ability to obtain BCCNM registration
- Able to provide proof of certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support
Items to be submitted with your online application include
- Fill out the employment pre-screen form:
- Upload your cover letter and resume to the New Graduate LPN or RN opportunity posting
- Resume tips and tricks (PDF)
If your browser doesn't display the fillable PDF correctly, or some functions do not work please save the PDF to your desktop and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
After application submission and screening, those that meet new grad screening criteria will be contacted by a recruiter to discuss new grad employment opportunities with Northern Health.
If you have any questions, please email nhjobs@northernhealth.ca
Get paid to train to become a health care assistant!
Health care assistants are a valuable member of the health care team. They provide for the physical, mental and social well being of clients of each day. Health Care Assistants provide personal care in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, assisted living and long-term care facilities, group homes, and community care programs.
HCAP participants receive paid tuition and college fees and receive a paid stipend while completing 10 months of study, then begin their return-of-service upon graduation.
Successful applicants must meet both Northern Health’s job requirements and the admission requirements of the college they’ll attend. Which college students attend depend on where they live.
Note: Applicants must be either have Permanent Resident status or be a Canadian citizen.
Goals of the HCAP program
- Make it easier for people to start a health care career
- Increase the number of health care assistants in health care facilities across Northern Health
What is a Health Care Assistant?
Health care assistants provide personal care in a variety of health care settings including acute care hospitals, assisted living facilities, group homes, long-term care facilities, and community care.
They are supervised by registered nurses or other regulated health care professionals and follow established care plans to provide personal care such as bathing, grooming, dressing, assisting with meals, and oral hygiene.
Other duties include:
- Helping in the delivery of nursing care, including taking temperature, pulse and respiration readings
- Documenting information on a patients' charts
- Responding to call bells/alarms in hospital settings
- Observing and monitoring patient progress, symptoms and behavioural changes
- Using mechanical aids (specialty beds, lifts, wheelchairs and stretchers) to transport patients
- Maintaining a clean and safe environment for patients and staff
The HCAP timeline
- Apply on a Health Care Support Worker training opportunity position
- Apply to the Health Care Assistant program at a college in or near your community (application provided to shortlisted applicants by NH).
- Those that meet the college requirements in time attend school full-time to complete the HCA program
- Apply to Northern Health postings to become a health care assistant
Return to Service Agreement/Obligation to work as a Health Care Assistant
Before starting the program, applicants must sign a return to service agreement.
By signing, they agree that after finishing the program, they will apply for and accept any regular health care assistant vacancies offered by the employer at the primary worksite where they completed the program.
Anyone not successful in completing the program will be returned to their pre-program position/status. For example, if they currently work for Northern Health in a different position, they would go back to that position.
More information on the return-of-service agreement will be provided to short-listed candidates.
How to apply
Apply to a Health Care Support Worker position at Northern Health’s external employment page. Look under the job category "Support services" for postings titled "Health Care Support Worker training opportunity".
What should be expected in the Health Career Access Program?
- Students attend school full-time.
- Students will have a number of assignments and deadlines in the Health Care Assistant Certificate program.
- Short listed candidates must sign a waiver for both Northern Health and for the designated college. This is so the parties can discuss the candidate’s application status, as well as academic standing, attendance and overall participation in the program should they commence in the education.
- To complete assignments, all students must have basic computer skills such as using email, and creating, saving and uploading documents to external sites.
- Students must have a computer or laptop and access to a reliable internet connection.
Questions?
- Email us at HCAP@northernhealth.ca
Northern Health (NH) offers career observation experiences for high school students, post-secondary students, and community members. These opportunities let participants:
- Observe health care professionals
- Explore a variety of career paths in health care
- Gain insight into both clinical and community settings
- Learn from supportive mentorship provided by NH teams
Important information
- Observation requests are reviewed based on site capacity and operational needs.
- These opportunities are strictly observation only.
- Participants will not take part in hands-on patient care.
- Observations do not take place with physicians or in critical care areas.
What to expect
Observations provide participants with a real-world glimpse into a specific health care career. Each participant is paired with an employee mentor from a department who will offer a tour, share insights about their role, and, when appropriate, allow the participant to observe interactions with patients. The mentor will also be available to answer questions and provide guidance about the profession.
Not all departments are able to accommodate observation requests. The Student Practice Education team works closely with managers to assess departmental capacity and coordinate the timing of each observation.
Types of career observation experiences
Observations are available to the following participants:
- SEEDs (Seek, Experience, Explore, Discover) - High school career observation program: Secondary student groups (grades 10,11 and 12) enrolled in the School District (SD) # 57 Career Pathways program. NH Student Practice Education in collaboration with SD 57, post-secondary partners, NH managers and staff provide these opportunities for students.
- Explore the SEEDs Pilot Program, launched in February 2025, and read about Duchess Park students participating in career observations at UHNBC (NH Stories)
- Post-secondary students career observation: Students currently enrolled in/attending a post-secondary institution seeking a self-directed learning experience outside of an existing curriculum requirement.
- Community career observation: Members of the community who are not currently employed by NH but are interested in exploring health care careers.
How to request a career observation opportunity
General inquires studentpractice@northernhealth.ca
Frequently asked questions
Can I do a career observation job shadow experience with a physician?
No. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC does not support the practice of job shadowing or observing by individuals who are not enrolled as students of health professions regulated by the Health Professions Act or Emergency Health Services Act and who wish to observe as part of their curriculum, irrespective of patient consent.
What forms will I need to sign?
Applicants will be provided with the following forms:
- Agreement, waiver and release
- Acknowledgement of confidentiality and privacy
- Photography consent form and
- Consent form to use and disclosure of information
If applicants are under 19 years old, a parent/guardian will need to sign the forms.
High school career exploration applicants (Prince George): Application forms will be sent to the SD # 57 Pathways Coordinator.
Do I require proof of vaccination?
NH does not require participants to share vaccination/immunization records to participate in a career observation experience.
Participants with respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, fever) or gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea) should not attend and are asked to reschedule their career exploration experience.
Additional opportunities and links
NH partners with organizations to provide up to date information about health care careers.
- BCEHS – Youth Pathways programs
- BC Health careers
- Education Planner BC
- FNHA Health Human Resources
- Find Your Fit
- Healthcare Travelling Roadshow
- Northern Health Indigenous Health
- NH Careers
- NH Student practice education
- SD 57 Career Pathways
- Volunteering at Northern Health
Questions?
Contact studentpractice@northernhealth.ca for more information.