This section provides an overview of the CCLO-3410 Practice Experience course with a focus on the description and structure of the course, the roles that JIBC and you play in placement scheduling, and information on placement locations, travel, length, and schedules.
The CCLO-3410 Practice Experience course is one of the options for the final course in the Advanced Specialty Certificate in Community Care Licensing program for students who are not currently working as a community care facility licensing officer. If you choose to take this course you will have an opportunity to integrate and apply your knowledge and skills through practice education in a real workplace setting under the guidance and tutelage of experienced licensing officer preceptors.
Description
Through preceptor mentoring and coaching, you will observe a variety of licensing officer activities, demonstrate competency in key areas, and be exposed to the broader scope of licensing practice. You will be expected to demonstrate critical thinking, decision-making, and appropriate communication skills in an inter-professional field environment. You will also be expected to demonstrate your understanding of fundamental areas of background knowledge that are directly related to the field of community care licensing.
If you are not working as a licensing officer you also have the option of completing the CCLO-3411 Professional Practice in Community Care Licensing course, this course does not include a practice education placement. You will be asked to confirm what course you plan to take a minimum of six months prior to the end of your last online course.
If you are currently working as a licensing officer (including students who have been hired while they are in the program and working at least six months) you will complete CCLO-3409 – Capstone Project in Licensing Practice instead of CCLO-3410 or CCLO-3411.
IMPORTANT
Information about how to apply for practice education will be emailed to you within the first month of your second to last semester of online courses. If you do not receive this email please contact the program area.
You must complete your practice education application and accompanying documentation in the Blackboard SPECO CCLO course no later than five months prior to the end of your final online course.
It is strongly recommended that you complete your application as soon as possible during your second to last semester of online courses. Late or incomplete applications may result in you not being able to complete your practice education in the allotted time (see below).
You must begin the practice education course NO LATER THAN SIX MONTHS after completing your other required coursework (the nine online courses in the CCLO program).
If you are unable to start your practice education placement by the six-month deadline you will be required to audit a CCLO course at your own expense prior to starting your practicum.
Course Structure
At the beginning of the practice education course, you will be primarily shadowing licensing officer preceptor(s) and observe a wide range of tasks, for example, applications and routine inspections. The goal of this initial period is for you to become oriented to the health authority and to the specific policies and procedures that are applicable to the daily work of a licensing officer. During this initial stage, you will be evaluated on your demonstration of general professional competencies required of all licensing officers, as well as your level of participation and engagement with your practice education setting.
As you progresses through the practice education course, it is expected that you will begin to demonstrate competency related to a number of different tasks by creating parallel documentation and checking in frequently with your licensing officer preceptor(s) for input and guidance. For example, if you accompany your licensing officer preceptor on a routine inspection, you will complete a full inspection report as if you were the actual licensing officer. The report will be reviewed by the preceptor. The report, however, will not form part of the facility’s official record and will only be used for training purposes.
JIBC’s and Your Role in Placement Scheduling
JIBC’s practice education team and the CCLO program area work together with the health authorities to secure a practice education placement on your behalf. You do not secure your own placement. You need to dedicate the time required in order to complete your practice education and also be open to travelling for your placement, have access to a vehicle (or a way to get to/from/between facilities and the health authority office), and secure family care arrangements (if applicable).
JIBC will do our best to schedule you in your preferred months and location but capacity to host student placements, especially in the lower mainland, can be very limited. Once your application is complete, JIBC will reach out to health authorities with informal requests for placement based on:
- Your health authority preferences listed on your application.
- Conflict of interest based on health authorities’ general processes for placement scheduling, for instance, some health authorities will not accept students who are involved with facilities in the same health authority.
- Openings for student placement within a health authority. Some health authorities have a limited number of placement spaces in a year or schedule placement spaces in advance.
Placement Locations and Travel
BC is a large province with a variety of expansive health authorities including Fraser Health, Interior Health, Island Health, Northern Health, and Vancouver Coastal Health. At the time of application, you are given the option to declare a preference for which health authority you would like to be placed in for your practice education course. Placement with a particular health authority cannot be guaranteed, since it depends on the health authority’s capacity to host students. Other factors, such as conflict of interest, may limit your ability to be placed in a particular health authority. The CCLO program manager will work closely with both you and health authorities to find the best solution to any placement challenges that may arise.
Please be advised that you may be required to travel to another region of the province to complete your practice education course within the six month timeline. The possibility of travel is high and you must be prepared to secure accommodations. Staying with family or friends, or looking for a homestay arrangement are a few of the options to consider.
IMPORTANT
While we will do our best to place you in your preferred region, conflict of interest and placement capacity may limit placement options. It is best to start planning and budgeting for travel and accommodation while you complete your final online courses.
Placement Length and Schedules
Placements are typically scheduled in a six-week block or two three-week blocks. You will work regular Monday to Friday business hours during your placement. If you do not meet all of the observation and competency requirements within the six weeks you may request an extension of time. The request for an extension must be approved by the health authority’s practice education coordinator and the JIBC program manager/director. The extension request must include a plan and timeline for meeting any outstanding requirements.