Job shadow/career observation: Vancouver Coastal Health does not offer any shadow or practicum placements to students on their own, including observations as prerequisites to school programs. We consider requests for placements from students who are currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution where the practicum is a requirement of graduation and the students are insured by the school for 3rd party liability and personal injury insurance.
We only consider shadow experiences for qualified health care professionals who are seeking professional development opportunities or employment. Individuals will be required to have immunizations up to date and a current criminal record check. Individuals may be responsible for having adequate insurance and completing the VCH Privacy and Confidentiality Undertaking for Student Placement is mandatory. Please email Placements@vch.ca for details.
If you are interested in shadowing a physician, please refer to the “Requesting a medical student placement/elective” section of this page.
Independent supervised practice experience: if you require a practicum placement at the health authority to renew your Nursing license and you are not enrolled in a post-secondary institution, please contact us at Placements@vch.ca. Please note that you will be required to complete all standard pre-requisites prior to starting a placement per our guidelines.
Co-op student placements: VCH Student Practice only processes requests for health sciences-related student placements arranged through HSPnet. if you require a paid Co-op placement (reimbursed by either the health authority or your institution), please connect with your co-op coordinator who will advise you on how to apply for these opportunities.
Paid work opportunities for students: VCH Student Practice only processes requests for unpaid health sciences-related student placements arranged through HSPnet. If you are a Nursing student interested in paid work opportunities, please refer to the Employed Student Nurse (ESN) Program page. For other paid work opportunities, please refer to the VCH Careers website or contact VCH Recruitment directly.