Completing work, practicum, and clinical requirements

Most programs require a clear Police Information Check (PIC) before you can take part in a clinical or work placement. Many programs also require a vulnerable sector check. If you have an unclear PIC, please review the following information FIRST as it may impact your ability to progress in the program.

All PICs must be obtained from your local RCMP or police services. Police checks by third-party or online vendors are not accepted. You are responsible for any costs associated with getting your PIC.

When to get your PIC

It is important to start your PIC process at least 3 months before your To Do List deadline. The Edmonton Police Services or the RCMP can take four to 12 weeks to complete your PIC. Students are required to submit their PIC to the College by upload or email to healthtodolist@norquest.ca within 90 days of the issue date on the PIC. Once submitted to the College, the PIC is valid for the entire program.

International students: do not submit a PIC from your home country. Your PIC must be from a local Canadian police agency or RCMP detachment.

How to obtain your PIC

Your PIC must be obtained where you live.

If you live in Edmonton, you will obtain your PIC through Edmonton Police Services online system. When you request your PIC:

• Be sure to request a vulnerable sector check (VSC). If you are under the age of 18 you will not be eligible to get a VSC with your PIC. Refer to your program's work, practicum, and clinical requirements to confirm.
• Clearly indicate that you are a practicum student
• Clearly indicate your program (e.g. Practical Nurse, Health Care Aide, etc.)

If you live in a rural area, you will need to go to your local RCMP detachment. Most RCMP detachments will require ID as well as proof of residency (e.g. utility bill with your name).

When you request your PIC:

• Be sure to request a vulnerable sector check if needed for your program (and if you are over the age of 18).
• Clearly indicate that you are a practicum student
• Clearly indicate your program (e.g. Practical Nurse, Health Care Aide, etc.)

Cost

You are responsible for any costs associated with getting your PIC. PICs can cost between $0-$100.

How to submit

Police information checks are either obtained as a paper PIC (e.g. RCMP) or a digital PIC (e.g. Edmonton Police Service).

Please upload this document using the self-serve Student Document Attachment tab on your MyQuest Student Homepage

Ensure you retain a copy of your PIC in the event you are asked to produce it. After you submit your PIC, you must report any changes (e.g. criminal convictions or charges) to your program area immediately. Any change to your PIC may affect your ability to attend your clinical/practicum or work-integrated learning experience. Please note: If you obtain a digital PIC (e.g. Edmonton Police Services), and you do not submit a PDF copy, you must submit the link and the password within 30 days of issue (If you try to submit after the 30 days, the link will have expired and you will need to obtain a new one).

If you have an unclear PIC, you may not be able to attend your clinical or work placement. This may affect your ability to complete and therefore graduate from your program. 

In addition, you may not be able to obtain professional licensure and/or employment.

If you have an unclear PIC, you should contact the program area prior to enrolling in the program to ensure that you understand the impact to the completion of your program. In addition, it is important to check with any related professional licensure associations prior to enrolling in the program. (e.g. CLPNA, PBEC, CSA)

If you choose to continue with the program, you will need to follow a different process. This process must be started at least four to six months before your practicum starts. The first step is to obtain your PIC and submit to the College.  Once this is reviewed, you will receive further instructions.

How to submit

Police information checks are either obtained as a paper PIC (e.g. RCMP) or a digital PIC (e.g. Edmonton Police Service).

Please upload this document using the self-serve Student Document Attachment tab on your MyQuest Student Homepage

Ensure you retain a copy of your PIC in the event you are asked to produce it. After you submit your PIC, you must report any changes (e.g. criminal convictions or charges) to your program area immediately. Any change to your PIC may affect your ability to attend your clinical/practicum or work-integrated learning experience. Please note: If you obtain a digital PIC (e.g. Edmonton Police Services), and you do not submit a PDF copy, you must submit the link and the password within 30 days of issue (If you try to submit after the 30 days, the link will have expired and you will need to obtain a new one)

If your program needs an Intervention Record Check, you must submit using the self-serve Student Document Attachment tab on your MyQuest Student homepage.

The IRC must meet the criteria specified by your program.

When to get your IRC

An IRC can take anywhere from four to eight weeks to complete. Make sure that you request your IRC with enough time to submit it by your due date, but do not request your IRC too early.

Your IRC must be:

• dated within six months of the start date of your clinical or WIL experience (practicum) placement.
• submitted to NorQuest College within 90 days of when it is issued.

How to request your IRC

If you live in the Edmonton area, contact the Edmonton Region Intervention Record Checks Office.

COVID-19 update: The Edmonton Region IRC office is not open for in-person service. Call 780.427.1471 to request an application form be mailed to you. The completed application form must include two copies of ID, one of which must be photo ID. Mail the application to:

Alberta Children’s Services

Edmonton Region Intervention Record Checks, 6th Floor
9820 106 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T5K 2J6

Once processed, your completed IRC will be mailed to you.

If you live outside the Edmonton area, contact your local provincial Children's Services office for details on getting your IRC. View information about Children's Services offices within Alberta.

How to submit your IRC

Please upload a PDF or scanned copy of this document using the self-serve Student Document Attachment tab on your MyQuest Student homepage.

Ensure you retain a copy of your IRC in the event you are asked to produce it.

Programs with a work, practicum or clinical placement may require certain immunizations.

The process to get immunizations can take up to 6 weeks so it is important to get started on your immunizations as soon as possible. Missing or incomplete immunizations may result in practicum cancellation or delay.

You are responsible for any costs associated with immunizations.

Review the immunization requirements for your program

International students must obtain a co-op work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) along with a study permit before beginning any work-integrated learning or community service learning component of their program.

When to get your co-op work permit

If your program includes a mandatory work placement and/or a community service learning component, you should include a request for a co-op work permit within your initial study permit application. After approval, you will be issued both study permit and a co-op work permit at the first port of entry to Canada. If for some reason you did not obtain a co-op work permit when you arrived in Canada or in case you transferred from another school, you will need to submit an inside Canada online application for a co-op work permit as soon as possible. 

Learn how to apply for a co-op work permit

How to submit

Email a scanned copy of your co-op work permit to international@norquest.ca 

OR

walk in to the International Office (CELT 1-215) and have it verified by an International Student Advisor. 

Some programs need you to complete the WHMIS course. Your WHMIS certificate is good for three years.

1. Please enrol and complete course XBUS 1017 as soon as possible in order to submit your certificate on time based on your individual To Do list deadlines.

2. Please Upload this document using the self-serve Student Document Attachment tab on your MyQuest Student Homepage.

Please retain a copy of the certificate for your records.

If you obtain your certificate outside of NorQuest, please email a copy of your WHMIS certificate to Healthtodolist@norquest.ca.

Some programs require you to have BLS certification. Be sure to enroll in a course as soon as possible so that you can complete the certification by your To Do List deadline. You are responsible for any costs which range from $50-$200.

If this is your first time taking BLS, choose BLS Provider. If you are renewing, choose BLS renewal.  Please note that BLS is only valid for one year. If you are in a 2-year program, you will need to renew in your second year and resubmit your certification.

You can take BLS through NorQuest College by enrolling in XHLT 1200 or you may enroll in one of the many BLS courses offered by Heart and Stroke foundation. Some additional BLS providers in Edmonton are Breath for Life and Reach Training.  Any courses taken must meet the requirements of Heart and Stroke.

Please upload this document using the self-serve Student Document Attachment tab on your MyQuest Student homepage.

Please retain a copy of the certificate for your records

Some programs need you to complete the HBPE (Human Blood Borne Pathogen) course. Your HBPE certificate is good for three years.

1. Please enrol and complete course XHLT 1023 as soon as possible in order to submit your certificate on time based on your individual To Do list deadlines.

2. Please upload this document using the self-serve Student Document Attachment tab on your MyQuest Student homepage.

Please retain a copy of the certificate for your records.

If you obtain your certificate outside of NorQuest, please email a copy of your HBPE certificate to Healthtodolist@norquest.ca.

Before starting a practicum, students must complete the AHS OR Covenant Health Information & Privacy online learning modules. (The training is the same for both and only one training module needs to be completed). However, there are two separate confidentiality forms that need to be signed.

Learn more about the AHS Information & Privacy online learning module and the Covenant Health Information & Privacy online learning module.

Please upload both signed documents using the self-serve Student Document Attachment tab on your MyQuest Student homepage.

Note: Please DO NOTemail a copy of these documents to Covenant Health or AHS

Complete the HSPNet consent form. Download & print the form.

Complete the form using your legal name (ie. as per your driver’s license) and manually sign the form (digital signatures are not accepted).

How to submit

Please upload a picture or scan of the document using the self-serve Student Document Attachment tab on your MyQuest Student homepage.

Please retain a copy of these forms for your records.

Some programs need you to complete an injury prevention course such as It’s Your Move prior to attending practicum/clinical placement.

Your program area will provide specific information on how to obtain this certification.

Some programs require you to have an N95 Mask Fit Test current within two years. Be sure to book fit testing as soon as possible so that you can complete the fit test by your To Do List deadline.  You are responsible for any costs which range from $0-$100.

Booking an appointment

You may get your N95 Mask Fit Test by booking with NorQuest

OR

You can book with an external provider in your local community that provides qualitative fit testing and the mask size matches one of the following sizes:

• 1860/1860s
• 1870+
• KC 46727/46827

How to Submit

If you complete your mask fit test at NorQuest College, it will automatically be removed from your 'To Do' list within 5 business days. You do not have to submit your documentation.

If you complete it outside of NorQuest,

Please upload this document using the self-serve Student Document Attachment tab on your MyQuest Student Homepage

Please retain a copy of your Fit Test for your records. Please note that if you lose your Fit Test documentation or it expires, you will need to retest at your own expense.