Enhanced Extern Program (EEP)

Trillium Health Partners is a proud participant of the Enhanced Extern Program (EEP).

Externs are clinical learners who are employed as unregulated care providers to work under the supervision of regulated care providers. Types of eligible clinical learners includes those in nursing, respiratory therapy, medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and paramedic programs, or recent Canadian medical graduates awaiting start of residency.

The Extern role is not a substitute for clinical rotations or placement. It is viewed as a transitional role whereby students develop clinical expertise, specialty knowledge and self-confidence. Externships allow students to become immersed in the hospital setting which enables them to build on their communication and inter-professional collaboration skills. As a result of this program, Externs become excellent candidates for future recruitment.

Trillium Health Partners considers all eligible clinical learners. The minimum training levels and education requirements for Externs from different programs are outlined below:

Nursing Externs
Nursing students in any year of study in a College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) approved Baccalaureate Nursing (BScN or BN) program and Practical Nursing (PN) program.

Occupational Therapy Externs
Occupational therapy students in any year of study in a training program accredited by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT).

Internationally Educated Nurses
IENs who have initiated registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), have received a CNO letter of direction and meet one of the following:

• are in any year of study in a CNO approved program, such as a BScN-IEN program, PN-IEN program, or
• are completing a micro-credential plan with a curriculum to meet the CNO requirements for registration (e.g. Standards of Practice for nursing, Entry-to-Practice Competencies, Evidence of Safe Practice, Evidence of English Language Proficiency) or
• have completed their educational requirements (e.g. BScN-IEN/PN-IEN program or micro-credentialing) and are waiting to write their registration exam

Paramedic Externs
Paramedic students in second year of an approved Paramedic Program can be considered for the EEP Extern role.

Physiotherapy Externs
Physiotherapy students in any year of study of a training program accredited by Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC).

Respiratory Therapy Externs
Respiratory Therapy students in their second and third year of a training program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Respiratory Therapy Education, which is administered by the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists, would be best suited for the EEP Extern role.

Undergraduate Medical Externs
Undergraduate medical students in their final year of a program of medical education leading to the MD degree that has been accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS) can be considered for the EEP Extern role.

Recent Medical Graduates
Recent graduates from a program of medical education leading to the MD degree that has been accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS) and who are awaiting the start of an accredited residency program can be considered for the EEP Extern role.