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 Cristina Tassone, 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.
• Financial compensation and employment status for the student is not a requirement of the practicum placement, however, it is understood that your organization may provide the student with a stipend in recognition of contributions.
• The majority of placements are paid and the recommended stipend is $3,000 per month however the range is at times higher or lower.
• Some placements are unpaid yet desirable opportunities to contribute within healthcare-related settings.
• The employment status or stipend amount is entirely at the discretion of the organization and method of payment is negotiated and confirmed with the student directly.
• If the student is in an unpaid placement, a WSIB Letter of Agreement will be generated to ensure students are covered for liability and WSIB through the University of Toronto.