b'LTC WORKFORCEClinical placements are key to providing nursing and personal support worker students with hands-on experience on-site in long-term care homes under the supervision of preceptorsexperienced staff who are trained for this role. Positive clinical placement experiences drive recruitment, as students often take jobs in the homes where they complete their placements. Meanwhile, becoming a preceptor gives existing long-term care staff the opportunity for career development and growth.Expanding the successIn their first three years, the PREP LTC team engaged more than 80% of Ontarios long-term care homes of PREP LTC and theand supported more than 20,000 clinical student placements. Over 1,400 long-term care team members Living Classroom model have completed free online training that equips them to mentor students confidently. PREP LTC also launched iPrecept, a free society to acknowledge Programs to support long-term careand support the crucial role that workforce development receive more thanpreceptors play in training students.PREP LTC is led by the Ontario Centres $100 million in government funding for Learning, Research and Innovation E arlier this year, the Ontariolong-term care, and they are buildingin Long-Term Care (Ontario CLRI) at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute government announced twoa pipeline of new team membersfor Aging (RIA), in collaboration with major investments in the long- committed to a career in the sector.the Ontario CLRI teams at Baycrest term care workforce: a commitment toAcademy for Research and Education an additional $94.5 million for anotherPREP LTCand Bruyre Research Institute. three years of the successful PreceptorPREP LTC helps Ontario long-term Resource and Education Program incare homes build or expand clinicalLiving Classroom Long-Term Care (PREP LTC), and student placement programs, providesThe Living Classroom is an innovative $11 million to double the number ofonline education for preceptors andeducation partnership model that Living Classrooms. students, and develops resourcescombines theoretical learning with to support positive placements forpractical, hands-on experience by These innovative programs arepersonal support workers and nursingplacing the classrooms directly into making a significant difference in thestudents, as well as nurse practitionerslong-term care homes. The many way students learn about working inand internationally educated nurses. benefits of the Living Classroom Resources and supports provided by PREP LTCSupport from Regional Engagement LiaisonsFunding to backfill preceptor time or as honoraria for preceptors Funding to start up or expand a student placement coordinator roleFunding to backfill clinical preceptors who complete PREP LTCs free online preceptor educationAssessment of homes needs and barriers in hosting clinical student placementsConnections with post-secondary schoolsTools, resources and templates to assist homes with hosting clinical student placements and for trainingteam members to become preceptors34 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2024'