Clinical Extern Program

The Clinical Extern Program is the portfolio that advances child and family-centred care by supporting Clinical Extern onboarding, role development and ongoing mentorship. We strive to advance Extern engagement in clinical care through partnership with local clinical teams and the Extern workforce.   

The central program team leads a robust orientation, comprised of hands-on skills, simulation and evidence-based learning that sets new hire externs up to deliver quality patient care in their local unit. The Program team also partners with the local leadership teams to ensure seamless integration into the care environment, ongoing support, and mentorship.  

A resume and cover letter that highlights: 

• How your experience and interests relate to the essential requirements and assets listed above. 
• Your availability starting the week of: May 5 or July 7. You will be expected to attend all orientation and onboarding activities in a full-time capacity. 
• Your anticipated graduation month and year.  

• All applications are screened based on the role description. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 
• If selected, you will be invited to join a virtual group panel interview between February and March 2025. 
• If selected for offer, you will receive detailed next steps, a role contract and orientation schedules. 

All Clinical Externs work under the direct or indirect supervision of a Registered Nurse and/or Respiratory Therapist when providing care. Externs may support a group of patients, one patient or a particular area of the unit based on the patient care needs each shift. Externs will never be left solely accountable for a patient, assignment or unit. Some common care activities include but are not limited to: 

• Vital signs  
• Child and Family Caregiver respite, support and navigation  
• Enteral feeding support  
• IV-line preparation and set up 
• General support for safe lift, transfers and activities of daily living  
• Child and infant feeding, general care and bathing  
• Quality and safety initiative support 
• Safety check completion and equipment set up 
• Supporting evidence-based care bundles to prevent central-line associated blood stream infections, Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections, Peripheral IV related injuries and other safety priorities  

Visit these links for more information:

• Working With Unregulated Care Providers (rev. 2013) 
• RHPA: Scope of Practice, Controlled Acts Model (rev. 2020) 
• College of Nurses of Ontario Standards and Guidelines 

In addition to the central and local team managers, each Extern is assigned a Professional Practice Coordinator (PPC) that serves as a mentor and support. The PPC will support externs during orientation and throughout their contract to support clinical, career, personal and professional development. There are also many supports such as ongoing education, career development sessions, Peer and Mental Health support services and access to the many other benefits of working at SickKids.  

Each Extern is assigned to one of 16 home units. If selected for interview, you will identify your top three areas of interest. Though it may not always be feasible to get your top choice, we balance unit staffing needs, applicant preference, strengths and experiences to match. Externs also have opportunities to float to other areas based on staffing needs.  

Externs work a combination of days, nights and weekends as part of a flexible scheduling model. This model means that each extern team uses a set of guidelines to ensure local unit needs are met, while working to balance personal scheduling needs. Challenges or exceptions are reviewed with the Central Senior Manager.  

From hire date to September, externs work 0.8 FTE which equates to sixteen 12-hour shifts within a six-week scheduling period. From September onward, this reduces and equates to three to six 12 hour shifts within the scheduling period.  

The 8D, Pre-op/PACU and CDIU care areas do not work night shifts.  

Some exceptions apply based on individual circumstances.