As an academic health sciences centre that values education and learning, SickKids is proud to offer international nurses, allied health professionals, and physicians, an exchange of knowledge and expertise with our community partners through the International Learner Program (ILP), which is certified as a Leading Practice by Accreditation Canada.

Launched in 2009, ILP offers international healthcare professionals the opportunity to take part in observation (knowledge acquisition) or practice experiences (including “hands on” training related to specific areas of practice). The program’s goal is for learners to apply the knowledge gained at SickKids to their practice in their home countries. This is a unique opportunity for international healthcare professionals to build on their paediatric expertise in area/s such as practice, education, research and/or administration. SickKids is also available to coordinate observation experiences at one our ILP affiliated hospitals.

For nursing and allied health opportunities, please review the following application information:

For physician opportunities, please review the following application information:

For more information on the available options to customize your ILP experience please view our brochure.

Observation Experience

Nurses and allied health professionals who are granted permission for observation experience, can only observe specific procedures and/or processes on site at SickKids. The general focus of this type of placement is knowledge acquisition. Healthcare professionals are not permitted to provide direct or indirect patient care or have independent access to patient information and other related medical information and/or operating systems.

Observation experience is a minimum of one week and a maximum of four weeks in duration. It will include:

  • A customized learning plan
  • Access to policies, procedures and educational material
  • Inclusion in patient and clinical related activities
  • Mentorship by expert staff
  • One-on-one knowledge translation coaching
  • A Certificate of completion

Please note: You are responsible for your own transportation and accommodation. A list of local hotels, residences and bed and breakfasts will be provided upon request.

How To Apply

In order to facilitate a high number of learner requests, an application process has been established. To allow adequate planning time, applications must be received a minimum of 2 months prior to the intended visitation date(s).

Complete our online observation experience application and attach your CV and letter of recommendation from your supervisor. A non-refundable application fee of $250 CAD will be applied.

Please allow four to six weeks to process the application. Once your application has been reviewed, you will be contacted for further information including the learning experience fee.

For additional information regarding the International Learner Program, please email ilp.requests@sickkids.ca or call 416-813-5703.

Practice Experience

Nurses and allied health professionals, who are granted permission for practice experience, can participate in ‘hands-on’ training, under direct supervision, related to specific practices and procedures on-site at SickKids or one of our affiliated hospitals. Healthcare professionals are permitted, by consent, to provide patient care which may include, but is not limited to, medical history, physical examinations and treatments.

Practice experience is a minimum of four weeks and a maximum of twelve weeks in duration. It will include:

  • A customized learning plan
  • Patient-care responsibilities
  • Access to policies, procedures and educational material
  • Inclusion in patient and clinical related activities
  • Mentorship by expert staff
  • A Certificate of Completion

You, or your institution, are required to carry and maintain liability insurance for your practice experience in the amount of $5 million CAD per occurrence. If applicable, you must obtain and show proof of an Ontario temporary license to practice.

Please note: You are responsible for your own transportation and accommodation. A list of local hotels, residences and bed and breakfasts will be provided upon request.

How To Apply

In order to facilitate a high number of learner requests, an application process has been established. To allow adequate planning time, applications must be received a minimum of 2 months prior to the intended visitation date(s).

Complete our online practice experience application and attach your CV and letter of recommendation from your supervisor. A non-refundable application fee of $250 CAD will be applied.

Please allow four to six weeks to process the application. Once your application has been reviewed, you will be contacted for further information including the learning experience fee.

For additional information regarding the International Learner Program, please email ilp.requests@sickkids.ca or call 416-813-5703.

International Medical Observer

An international medical observer is an individual who has requested a period of time at SickKids in order to gain experience. This individual is usually a graduate of an international medical school who is not licensed for practice in Canada. Final approval is granted by the department head and the Medical Advisory Committee if the applicant meets the necessary requirements.

The department head may permit the presence of observers in his or her department for a period not in excess of twelve weeks. A non-refundable observer application fee of $250 CAD is applicable to observers, in addition to a fee based on the number of weeks requested. Observers shall not have any patient care responsibilities and shall not begin a term without prior approval by the Medical Affairs Office as appropriate.

Please note: You are responsible for your own transportation and accommodation. A list of local hotels, residences and bed and breakfasts will be provided upon request.

How To Apply

In order to facilitate a high number of learner requests, an application process has been established. To allow adequate planning time, applications must be received a minimum of 2 months prior to the intended visitation date(s).

Complete our online international medical observer application and attach your CV and letter of recommendation from your supervisor. A non-refundable application fee of $250 CAD will be applied.

Please allow four to six weeks to process the application. Once your application has been reviewed, you will be contacted for further information including the learning experience fee.

For additional information regarding the International Learner Program, please email ilp.requests@sickkids.ca or call 416-813-5703.

Paediatric Simulation Experience

LITE Elective in Paediatric Simulation

The LITE Elective in Simulation is a stream for both health care and non-health care professionals that is intended to expose trainees to the use of simulation for pediatric education. The duration of the elective is a minimum of two (2) weeks and a maximum of twelve (12) weeks.

Healthcare and non-healthcare professionals who are enrolled in the LITE Elective in Paediatric Simulation program will observe and experience a wide spectrum of simulation-based education, including procedural skills training, high-fidelity team training, and non-technical simulation in communication and leadership development.

Each candidate will have a dedicated supervisor and a unique learning experience that includes:

  • A customized learning plan
  • Access to policies, procedures, and educational material
  • Inclusion in simulation-related activities in situ within the clinical practice environment and on location in our state-of-the-art Simulation Centre
  • Continuing education in a variety of paediatric simulation topics, including (but not limited to) facilitation and instruction, technical training, video debriefing, and scenario development
  • Mentorship by expert staff
  • One-on-one knowledge translation coaching
  • A certificate of completion

LITE Certificate in Paediatric Simulation

The LITE Certificate in Paediatric Simulation provides the opportunity for trainees to be exposed to the innovative use of simulation for education, assessment, quality improvement, and research in diverse settings.

The LITE Certificate in Simulation is a stream for both healthcare and non-healthcare professionals that is intended to provide more in-depth exposure to the use of simulation for pediatric education. The duration of the certificate is a minimum of three (3) months.

Healthcare and non-healthcare professionals who are enrolled in the LITE Certificate in Paediatric Simulation program will observe and experience a wide spectrum of simulation-based education, including procedural skills training, high-fidelity team training, and non-technical simulation in communication and leadership development.

Each candidate will have a dedicated supervisor and a unique learning experience that includes:

  • A customized learning plan
  • Access to policies, procedures, and educational material
  • Inclusion in simulation-related activities in situ within the clinical practice environment and on location in our state-of-the-art Simulation Centre
  • Continuing education in a variety of paediatric simulation topics, including (but not limited to) facilitation and instruction, technical training, video debriefing, and scenario development
  • Exposure to a simulation research or quality improvement project
  • Mentorship by expert staff
  • One-on-one knowledge translation coaching
  • A certificate of completion

LITE Fellowship in Paediatric Simulation:

The LITE Fellowship in Paediatric Simulation is intended to facilitate the development of the skills and expertise necessary to use simulation both independently and collaboratively for teaching, assessment, quality improvement, and research in diverse settings.

The fellowship is designed for health care professionals with an interest in simulation who spend time doing clinical work. Individuals are not required to be enrolled in a graduate degree program but are required to complete a scholarly project. The project needs to fit within the scope of expertise of at least one Learning Institute Simulation Educator, Scientist, or approved Certified Simulation Instructor, who will formally agree to serve as the supervisor. Examples of acceptable scholarly projects are an educational research study or the design, implementation, or evaluation of an educational innovation, including:

  • Teaching strategy/method/model
  • Assessment tool
  • New/revised program/workshop
  • New/revised curriculum

The duration of the fellowship is a minimum of one year. Acceptance to the LITE Fellowship in Paediatric Simulation will be based on demonstrated interest in simulation, academic excellence, scholarship and research experience, and funding.

Medical trainees must be appointed in their home department (e.g., pediatrics, anesthesia, or surgery). Nurses and other health professions candidates must be appointed in the appropriate professional department. All fellows in this stream are required to register with the SickKids Research Training Centre (RTC); however, they are not eligible for RTC funding.

Please note: You are responsible for your own transportation and accommodation. A list of local hotels, residences, and bed and breakfasts will be provided upon request.

How to Apply

In order to facilitate a high number of learner requests, an application process has been established. To allow adequate planning time, applications must be received a minimum of 2 months prior to the intended visitation date(s).

Complete our online paediatric simulation experience application and attach your CV, 2 letters of recommendation from your supervisors, and a letter of intent. A non-refundable application fee of $250 CAD will be applied.

Please allow four to six weeks to process the application. Once your application has been reviewed, you will be contacted for further information including the learning experience fee.

For additional information regarding the International Learner Program, please email ilp.requests@sickkids.ca or call 416-813-5703.

International Paediatric Nursing Fellowship

The International Paediatric Nursing Fellowship (IPNF) program provides customized subspecialty paediatric education for nurses wishing to pursue a career of excellence in paediatric subspecialty care. The program is delivered over 6-12 months, at SickKids in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Additional academic courses will be made available from our affiliated academic partners. Nurses will be granted permission to participate in ‘hands-on’ training, under direct supervision, related to specific practices and procedures on-site at SickKids during this longitudinal fellowship program.

The fellowship is 6-12 months in duration. It will include:

  • Customizable meaningful experiences
  • Advanced, hands-on paediatric training
  • Competency-based methodology
  • Expert mentorship and coaching
  • Leadership development
  • Knowledge translation strategy
  • Opportunities for professional growth
  • Continuing education courses with an academic institution
  • Additional fellowship learning supports
  • A Certificate of completion

Fellows, or their institutions, are required to carry and maintain liability insurance for your practice experience in the amount of $5 million CAD per occurrence.

All nurses in the IPNF Program must hold a license and registration as a nurse within their own country. Nurses must also hold a Special Assignment Classification with the College of Nurses of Ontario.

Please note: Fellows are responsible for their own transportation and accommodation. A list of local hotels, residences and bed and breakfasts will be provided upon request.

Organizations looking for additional information regarding the International Nursing Fellowship Program can learn more on the IPNF page here. Please email us at ilp.requests@sickkids.ca for information regarding our brochure and fees.