Pre-Work Term Requirements
To participate in and complete the experiential curricular components of the PharmD program, students must fulfil a number of pre-work term requirements.
- Immunization record form (Year 1 version)
- Standard first aid and CPR level C certification
- Personal professional liability insurance
- Vulnerable sector criminal record check
Work Term Requirements
- Each work term must be 16 weeks in duration, a minimum of 35 hours per week, and a paid position of at least minimum wage.
- Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner in all aspects of employment process. See Co-op’s requirements and obligations regarding your responsibilities, expectations and ethics.
- No more than two work terms with the same employer.
- A minimum of two different practice setting over the course of the three work terms (e.g. community, hospital, etc).
- A minimum of one work term with a drug distribution component.
- A minimum of one work term with a direct patient care component.
Co-op and PDPHRM Credit
To successfully earn co-op credit students must attain at least a “marginal” rating on their Co-op Student Performance Evaluation. If at least a “marginal” rating is not achieved, the student must repeat that co-op term. If a student is unsuccessful during co-op, it is possible that relative to their cohort, the student’s graduation may be delayed.
PDPHRM credit is separate from co-op credit. Both PDPHRM and co-op credit must be achieved each work term. Failure to complete will mean that the student will not progress to Direct Patient Care Rotations (PHARM 430/440/450).
Prior to the first work term, PDPHRM 1 must be successfully completed. If a student completed PD1 prior to their admission to Pharmacy, they may be able to receive credit for PDPHRM 1 by contacting pharmacy.advisor@uwaterloo.ca by August 1 (Year One) in the Pharmacy program.
Students will be automatically enrolled in one PDPHRM course each work term. Four PDPHRM courses must be completed by the end of the program (PDPHRM 1, PDPHRM 2, PDPHRM 3 and PDPHRM 4). Please refer to the respective PDPHRM course syllabi on LEARN for additional details and specifics about grading.
Work Term Approval Process
The Co-op Experiential Coordinator approves all work terms and associated jobs. Jobs in WaterlooWorks have been reviewed and have met the approval process. Jobs outside of WaterlooWorks require additional approval by the Co-op Experiential Coordinator. Some examples include:
- Any out of province or international co-op work terms
- Any work term involving a conflict of interest
- Any student in the military
- Any co-op work term that does not meet the general co-op requirements (e.g. unpaid humanitarian)
- Any student self-arranged co-op work term, complying with the current Pharmacy Do Not Approach (DNA) Employer List
Self-Arranging and Pharmacy Do Not Approach (DNA) Employer List
Students planning to self-arrange their co-op work term must follow these steps:
Step 1: Determine who you want to approach based on the instructions below and most current Do Not Approach List
Review your work term requirements that must be met, such as fulfilling dispensing, patient care, and settings requirements.
Students working in another province are responsible for registering with the provincial regulatory body, as well as any registration fees required by that college, plus travel and accommodation costs.
NOTES:
- Students considering a work term in a province outside Ontario or internationally, please e-mail us first at phrexper@uwaterloo.ca for approval, BEFORE taking any further steps.
- UBC has a stringent pre-approval process. In addition, experiential departments across Canada have agreed that hospital sites are off-limits to out-of-province students due to a shortage of hospital sites.
Step 2: Advise the potential employer of the University’s general co-op requirements
- 16 weeks in duration
- Minimum 35 hours per week
- Paid position (see co-op earnings for salary information)
Step 3: Complete the Arrange Own Job (AOJ) Form in WaterlooWorks
If you are successful at securing a self-arranged job, you (not the employer) must complete the online Arrange Own Job (AOJ) Form (available in WaterlooWorks) for approval, and also let your Co-op Experiential Coordinator know so we are aware of your plans.
After the AOJ Form is submitted, the School will confirm the details with the employer and cross-check against the most current DNA list. The self-arranged job will be assessed whether it’s suitable and meets co-op requirements. Students will receive a message through WaterlooWorks when the job is approved.
Student expectations, responsibilities and ethics are outlined on the Co-operative Education website. Failure to abide by these regulations may result in disciplinary action.
Students with Disabilities
AccessAbility Services provide services and support for Waterloo students who have a permanent or temporary disability. If a student wishes to seek accommodation to lessen the impact of their disability, please register with AccessAbility Services at the beginning of each term.
Persons with disabilities should set up an appointment with the Co-op Experiential Coordinator in advance of submitting any job applications. The Experiential Coordinator will work with employers to facilitate hiring of students with disabilities in an appropriate work environment, without compromising the integrity of the co-op program.
Last updated: October 4, 2024