Frequently Asked Questions

An ERV (Electronic Requirements Verification) is a review of documentation submitted to Synergy. An ERV appointment is a designated date and time of when documentation will be reviewed. Students must book an ERV appointment time and ensure all documents are submitted prior to that appointment time. Students do not attend the ERV appointment. A Synergy representative will review all documentation and students will be notified of the outcome of the review within 2 business days.

Upon logging into your Synergy account, a question mark icon is located on the bottom right corner of your screen. You can find answers to common questions as well as search Synergy's knowledge base centre. If you have something to clarify with Synergy, you can submit a Help Desk “ticket” via this tool. The submission of attachments and additional documents can also be through a Help Desk ticket if required. 

No. All documents must be in English. A required document that is in an alternative language must be translated to English by a “Certified Translator” to be accepted. The document must contain all necessary information in order to be verified by Synergy.

• This means reviewers need clarification or more information on one or more of your items. While in Pending status, you do not need to pay for a Follow-up appointment. You can provide answers or updated documentation through a Help Desk ticket.
• Be aware that you are only in Pending status for three weeks. After three weeks, you will switch to a “Fail” status and must pay for a Follow-up appointment to resolve any issues.

Only the Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) is required. The VSC is a specific type of criminal record check that also includes a screen of the pardoned sexual offender database.  

No, your VSC must NOT contain a password. If your current VSC has a password attached, reviewers are unable to open it and there will be a failure for this item.  Synergy will not look for a password even if it is given to them in a separate document. Your options are:

• Remove the password. (Process for password removal will depend on file type.)
• Scan the document or take a photo of the document. You will then upload the scan/photo. Be sure that any seals/stamps are visible.

Please state, that as a student clinician, you will be working with vulnerable clientele in a healthcare environment, such as hospitals, clinics, and community settings.  Specific duties may include assisting with activities of daily living.

Many local health and safety companies provide this service. A Google search will provide options that are closest to you. For example, you can Google: "N95 3M Mask Fit Test London Ontario." Western University does NOT provide a mask fitting services. 

No, you only need to be fit for ONE of the approved 3M models.

Either is acceptable.

For a 2-step TB test, FOUR visits are required:

• Visit 1: Test #1 skin injection
• Visit 2: Test #1 results read
• Visit 3: Test #2 skin injection
• Visit 4: Test #2 results read

Your TB test documentation should include the dates of ALL tests, the results of ALL tests, your name, and the healthcare provider or clinic name. The paperwork given to you by your doctor after your Two-Step TB Test (or Chest X-Ray), is the paperwork you will need to upload to Synergy. If your doctor did not provide you with this paperwork, please contact them and request this document. NOTE: We do not have a specific form that needs to be completed. All information above can be completed on your healthcare provider’s letterhead.

This is a vaccine for Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis. Tdap protects against pertussis (whooping cough) in addition to tetanus and diphtheria, while Td only protects against tetanus and diphtheria. A booster dose for Tdap is required every TEN years as an adult. Please check when your last dose was and ensure your current immunization is valid for the entire school year.

No. As you do not show immunity to ALL three (measles, mumps, and rubella), you are required to get a booster dose of the MMR vaccine. Preparations authorized for use in Canada contain all three together in one vaccine.

Proof of vaccinations OR serology showing immunity is required, regardless of chicken pox history.

No. The vaccines for each are slightly different, thus the Varicella vaccine is required.

• Note: Serology (bloodwork) is mandatory for all students.
• If you have proof of a primary series in the past (2-3) doses, you will then do a blood test for immunity.
• If your bloodwork shows immunity, you will submit this bloodwork.
• If your bloodwork does NOT show immunity, you will need to receive a booster dose. You will then submit proof of primary series, bloodwork, AND current booster.
• If you do not have proof of a primary series, you will need to start the vaccine series. The 1st dose is followed by the 2nd dose four weeks later. The 3rd dose is administered six months after the second dose. This will then be followed by a blood test to show immunity. As this is a lengthy process, please start as soon as possible if this applies.

The Core Antigen blood test is required.

Flu shots are administered in the Fall and have a Fall deadline date. To verify your flu shot documentation, upload your flu shot documentation in the Influenza section. You can have your flu shot documentation reviewed free of charge if it is completed before Thursday, November 20th, 2025.

Please let the Clinical Placement team know as soon as possible. We will send out an email three weeks prior to the deadline to remind students to complete their influenza vaccine. Please ensure there is ample time to receive the flu shot in case of illness close to the deadline date.

We cannot guarantee that your certificate will be accepted by Synergy. However, many students have successfully used previous WHMIS training certificates. Your WHMIS training must be the most up-to-date version of WHMIS as provided by Western (updated in 2024). You will need to verify that the date of your WHMIS training does not expire during the school year.

Yes, BLS/HCP (Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers) is acceptable for the CPR requirement.

No, you must complete an in-person or hybrid CPR course.

You are encouraged to update your CPR training over the summer and upload your new certificate. By doing this, your CPR certification will be valid for the entire school year, and you will not be required to pay for another Synergy appointment in December when your current CPR certificate expires.

Please list "Western University" as your organization name. For Brescia, total placement hours are "Approximately 1600". For CSD, total placement hours are “Approximately 350 hours". For PT, total placement hours are “Approximately 1100 hours". For OT, total placement hours are “Approximately 1000 hours".

For the first section, choose the “Clinicians/Professionals (physician/midwife/dentist)” box. For the second section, you do not need to choose a location since you do not know which site you will be placed at. Be sure to sign and date your privacy form before uploading to Synergy.