Being a mentor to a Master of Health Informatics (MHI) practicum student brings many rewards. Our preceptors help to educate the next generation of health informaticians while also filling a variety of immediate project needs. Many graduates have been hired by preceptor organizations who have been impressed with the quality of thought and effort demonstrated by MHI students.
- The practicum is the applied learning component of MHI education.
- From May to August, every MHI student participates in a full-time (600 hour/ 37.5 hours per week) professional practicum placement that counts for 20% of degree credits (2 FCE).
Ready to learn more or get started?
Connect with Abbas Zavar or Dora Mugambi, the MHI practicum course instructors, to discuss becoming a preceptor and involving your department or organization in the process.
Practicum Hiring Process
Please complete the Practicum Preceptor Interest Form
- Preceptors submit an interest form along with the posting details.
- The posting will be shared with students on the specified date.
- The Placement Assistant will gather applications and send them as a zip file to the contact on the announced date.
- Preceptors will conduct interviews during the designated interview period outlined in the recruiting timeline.
- All interview scheduling and offer communications are handled directly with the students.
For more information contact: Abbas Zavar or Dora Mugambi
Practicum Timeline
| Phase 1 – Recruiting | |
|---|---|
| Job postings submitted | November 3, 2025 to January 14, 2026 |
| Job postings live to students | January 21, 2026 |
| Student applications sent to employers | February 4, 2026 |
| Interview period | February 16 to 27, 2026 |
| Release of job offers and practicum contracts | by March 6, 2026 |
| Practicum placements begin (contract dependent) | May 1, 2026 |
| Phase 2 – Continuous | |
|---|---|
| Job postings to be submitted | January 14, 2026 onwards |
| Student applications forwarded to employers | Rolling |
| Interview period | Rolling (March to April) |
| Practicum placements begin (contract dependent) | May 1, 2026 |
FAQ’s
The practicum occurs between May and August each year, and requires 600 hours of work (average of 35 hours per week). The practicum is based on four learning objectives, set together by the preceptor and student at the outset of the practicum term. The student is available to work on projects and processes underway in the organization, with the oversight of a preceptor who will report at two points on the progress against learning objectives.
MHI students are high-performing early to mid-career individuals. Entry to the program is highly competitive, and our students have demonstrated excellence via a variety of backgrounds:
- Healthcare practitioners such as nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and allied health professionals
- Analysts and coordinators with business or healthcare experience
- Computer and information technologists
The practicum provides learners with the opportunity to build on MHI course learning and to employ related problem-solving skills. By the start of practicum, students will have completed more than 250 hours of in-class graduate instruction, in addition to workshops and projects.
Students in typical practicum placements work areas such as:
- Clinical project consulting and/or integration teams
- Product design and engineering teams
- Technical project analyst teams
- Informatics adoption and transition teams
Practicum students have expertise and skills in areas such as: health information management, critical analysis, business intelligence, systems requirements, work processes, communications, business modeling and workflow analysis, evaluation, change management at point of care and knowledge management
We work with organizations that have project needs in healthcare and information and communication technologies. Don’t hesitate to ask if there is a fit.
- Hospitals
- Health research organizations
- Government and government agencies
- Consulting firms
- Planning bodies
- Information and communication technology vendor organizations
- Pharmaceutical firms
- Medical device manufacturers
- Integrated delivery systems
- Community-based agencies
A preceptor oversees a practicum student on behalf of their organization. Students may work with other teams or managers, however the preceptor acts as a liaison with MHI:
- Defines a practicum placement and related activities
- Conducts formal interviews with prospective MHI student(s)
- Negotiates an achievable learning contract with the student and instructor (this is a straightforward,template-based process)
- Establishes a supportive environment with the student, which will meet the general practicum objectives and individual learning objectives
- Provides an appropriate workspace for the student (desk, computer, supplies, phone, etc.)
- Meets with the student on a regular basis to assess progress and assign activities
- Facilitates the student’s participation in the central activities of the organization wherever possible
- Provides opportunities for the student to meet and discuss appropriate issues with key personnel
- Completes the interim and final performance evaluations of the student, also a template-driven process
- Resolves any potential problems with support of the course instructor
A preceptor oversees a practicum student on behalf of their organization. Students may work with other teams or managers, however the preceptor acts as a liaison with MHI:
- Defines a practicum placement and related activities
- Conducts formal interviews with prospective MHI student(s)
- Negotiates an achievable learning contract with the student and instructor (this is a straightforward,template-based process)
- Establishes a supportive environment with the student, which will meet the general practicum objectives and individual learning objectives
- Provides an appropriate workspace for the student (desk, computer, supplies, phone, etc.)
- Meets with the student on a regular basis to assess progress and assign activities
- Facilitates the student’s participation in the central activities of the organization wherever possible
- Provides opportunities for the student to meet and discuss appropriate issues with key personnel
- Completes the interim and final performance evaluations of the student, also a template-driven process
- Resolves any potential problems with support of the course instructor
Yes, we will work together to define a practicum placement. The first step is to discuss with course instructor, and complete a placement profile. A posting will then be generated with instructions for how and when a student should apply.
- The placements encompass 600 hours of full-time work for students, which equates to 16 weeks at 37.5 hours per week from May to August.
- The start and completion dates are negotiable with the MHI student directly, assuming the placement will be complete prior to the start of the fall term.
- The minimum recommended salary or stipend is $25-30 per hour.
In the Words of Our Preceptors
As integral members of the team, MHI students bring a fresh perspective to the table. The students contribute ideas and solutions that are based in best practice, proven strategies and real-life scenarios.”
Giuseppe Cammisa
Director, Project Management Office
Unity Health Toronto
The students I have mentored from the MHI Program have been outstanding and have contributed significantly to the successful completion of a number of our IM/IT projects.
Jan Walker
VP Strategy, Innovation and CIO
West Park Healthcare Centre