OUR SERVICES

Who We Are

Touchstone Institute is the largest assessment centre of its kind in Canada. We provide professional competency assessment and learning programs primarily focused on meeting the needs of internationally educated health professionals.

About Us

Assessment

At Touchstone Institute, we offer comprehensive Assessment services designed to evaluate and enhance the competencies of professionals across various fields. Our team of psychometric experts collaborates with stakeholders and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to develop tailored, reliable, and defensible assessments. From designing competency-based assessment blueprints to administering secure and standardized exams, we ensure that our assessments accurately measure the intended knowledge, skills, judgments, and attitudes. Whether through written tests, clinical evaluations, or competency-based interviews, we provide a fair and rigorous assessment experience that meets industry standards.

Assessment Design

Our assessment and psychometric experts collaborate with stakeholders throughout the assessment development cycle. We define industry standards and ensure our assessments accurately measure the intended knowledge, skills, judgements and attitudes. We develop competency-based assessment blueprints that reflect essential criteria by working with licensed Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).

Key Features

Tailored Assessments: Custom-designed assessments for educational institutions, organizations, and learners.
Validated and Defensible: Psychometrically sound assessments that are reliable and defensible.
Expert Collaboration: Access to industry-leading experts throughout the development process.

Assessment Administration

Touchstone Institute is a leader in health workforce assessment and simulation, delivering reliable written and clinical assessments in virtual, in-person, or hybrid formats. Specializing in the evaluation of healthcare professionals, we ensure that our assessments accurately measure the competencies required in the health sector. We prioritize security and standardized protocols to provide a fair and rigorous experience for all examinees, whether onsite or remote.

Our state-of-the-art assessment facility features secure environments, large classrooms for orientations and exams, and 52 video-monitored exam rooms equipped with two-way mirrors for live observation—ideal for health simulation scenarios. Additionally, we can administer assessments across Canada through a network of vetted third-party sites, extending our commitment to excellence in health workforce assessment and simulation nationwide.

Key Features

Dedicated Staff: Our highly trained staff maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the assessment process.
Form Flexibility: Flexibility in assessment form delivery, including written, clinical, and competency-based interviews.
Standard Protocols: We use Standardized assessment protocols to ensure quality and consistency.

Competency-Based Interviews

Touchstone Institute’s competency-based interview program is delivered virtually through Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). Candidates progress through six interview stations with trained interviewers assessing non-clinical competencies like communication, collaboration, and professionalism. The use of standardized processes across multiple stations helps reduce unconscious bias and ensures a fair evaluation.

Our in-house team designs and validates each station to align with established competencies, helping identify candidates ready to enter the Canadian healthcare workforce.

Key Features

Validated Selection Tool: MMIs are used to assess essential competencies for future practice performance.
Holistic Candidate Evaluation: Candidates are assessed across multiple stations, offering a broader view of their abilities beyond traditional interview formats.
Cultural Competence: Stations are designed to address cultural sensitivity and promote inclusivity in the workforce.

Invigilation

We leverage Invigilation to ensure assessments are fair and secure. Our invigilators safeguard assessments, prevent cheating, and maintain the integrity of the assessment environment. Touchstone Institute recruits and trains staff to fill various invigilation roles, ensuring they are well-prepared to uphold assessment standards.

Our trained staff can serve as hosts, moderators, and proctors, both virtually and in person.

Key Features

Security and Integrity: Protect assessments before, during, and after completion.
Trained Staff: Staff receive comprehensive training to meet assessment standards.
Flexible Roles: Services available for both virtual and in-person assessments.

Assessment Consultation

We design our assessment consultation services to help organizations and educational institutions evaluate and enhance their assessment strategies. We collaborate closely with clients to develop customized approaches for training, evaluation, and support.

Our team conducts in-depth analyses to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within your current assessment framework. We offer practical, data-driven recommendations to address gaps and set achievable goals. Additionally, we guide clients through transitioning from in-person paper-based to digital remotely proctored assessments, providing updated policies and processes for a smooth transition.

Key Features

Customized Solutions: Tailored strategies to meet your specific assessment needs.
Expert Guidance: Experienced support in transitioning to modern assessment methods.
Comprehensive Training: Workshops and training for examiners, simulation integration, and more.

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Simulation

Experience immersive learning with our Simulation services at Touchstone Institute. We specialize in creating realistic simulation scenarios that bridge the gap between theory and real-world application. Working closely with SMEs, our Simulated Trainers develop tailored cases aligned with your specific learning objectives. From recruiting and training standardized clients to delivering simulations in both virtual and in-person settings, we offer end-to-end support. Our simulations provide participants with hands-on practice in a controlled environment, enhancing their competencies and readiness for real-world challenges.

Simulation Development

Our simulation development services bridge the gap between theory and real-world application. Working with Subject Matter Experts, our Simulated Trainers create realistic client profiles and ensure all critical competencies are met. We focus on aligning our tailored simulation cases with your specific learning objectives, ensuring your needs are not just met, but exceeded. We identify information gaps, recommend revisions, and format scripts to ensure seamless transitions to live interactions.

Key Features

Realistic Scenarios: Tailored simulation cases aligned with specific learning objectives.
Expert Collaboration: Guidance from industry experts in simulation development.
Comprehensive Support: From case creation to post-event analysis and review.

Simulation Training

Touchstone Institute recruits and trains standardized clients for high-stakes assessments and learning programs conducted virtually or in person. Our extensive database includes a diverse pool of individuals capable of accurately simulating real-world scenarios as patients, clients, health professionals, employers and more, allowing participants to practice skills and demonstrate expertise.

We train standardized clients to adapt to various professional practice scenarios, ensuring consistent and effective performance during assessments and educational activities. Our trainers standardize roles for high-stakes exams through a validated process involving training, dry runs, and final sign-off with subject matter experts. In learning programs, we instruct clients to provide constructive feedback to learners, enhancing the educational experience.

Key Features

Diverse and Tailored Recruitment: We maintain an extensive database to recruit clients suitable for specific roles based on age, gender, and physical characteristics.
Consistent Performance: Standardized clients are closely monitored throughout training to ensure consistent and high-quality performances, whether for exams or learning environments.
Interactive Learning: Includes scenario-based, role-specific, and team-based training with immediate feedback.

Simulation Delivery

Our simulation team offers end-to-end support for implementing and managing simulation-based training or assessment programs. We develop detailed plans, set up environments, manage standardized clients, and oversee the simulation event. Post-event, we conduct evaluations and provide feedback to enhance learning and performance.

Key Features

Experienced Team: Our Standardized Client Trainers excel in delivering both virtual and in-person simulations, ensuring consistent and high-quality performances.
All-in-One Service: We provide a complete package, including recruitment, training, coordination, and delivery, all managed by our in-house team.
Competency Building: We design realistic simulations to improve learning outcomes and build practical competencies.

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Learning

Empower your educational initiatives with our comprehensive Learning services. Touchstone Institute provides expert curriculum development and delivery solutions, supporting educational institutions and organizations at any stage of the curriculum lifecycle. Our expertise includes lecture-based, asynchronous, and simulation-based learning, adaptable for virtual, in-person, or hybrid formats. Guided by experienced health professionals and academic experts, we design scalable and repeatable programs anchored in current competency frameworks and practice standards. Our state-of-the-art facilities and flexible learning methods ensure that learners are well-prepared for the evolving demands of their professional fields.

Curriculum Development: Simulation Content

We design curriculum development services to support educational institutions and educators in creating impactful academic programs, offering flexibility at any stage of the curriculum lifecycle. Our expertise covers lecture-based, asynchronous, and simulation-based learning for both virtual and in-person delivery.

Touchstone Institute develops education programs for internationally trained health professionals, guided by experienced health professionals and academic experts. Our curriculum projects are anchored in current competency frameworks and practice standards, ensuring they effectively meet learners' needs. Simulation-based curriculum provides hands-on practice, enabling learners to build essential competencies in a safe, controlled environment.

Key Features

Competency Building: Our programs improve competence building and error reduction in an innovative learning environment.
Scalable Training: We design our curriculums to be scalable and repeatable, ensuring consistent learning outcomes.
Adaptable Content: We provide ongoing support for content maintenance, allowing the curriculum to adapt to advancements in professional practices.

Curriculum Development: Learning Content

Our curriculum development services help educational institutions, organizations, and educators create structured and impactful educational programs. We offer support at any stage of the curriculum lifecycle, whether for lecture-based, asynchronous, or simulation-based learning. Lecture-based learning provides structured, expert-led instruction with real-time interaction. In contrast, asynchronous learning offers flexibility, allowing learners to study at their own pace with access to diverse resources.

Touchstone Institute researches, designs, and develops education programs for internationally trained health professionals, including international medical graduates (IMGs). These programs are anchored in current competency frameworks and practice standards and can be delivered virtually or in person.

Key Features

Expert Support: Connect with industry experts to implement virtual or in-person learning modalities.
Scalable Training: We design our curriculums to be scalable and repeatable, ensuring consistent learning outcomes.
Adaptable Content: Continuous development and maintenance support to keep the curriculum up-to-date with advancements in professional practices.

Curriculum Delivery

Touchstone Institute specializes in delivering comprehensive learning programs of all sizes to prepare future professionals for challenges in their fields. We offer flexible delivery options, including virtual, in-person, or hybrid formats, ensuring high-quality support for instructors and learners throughout their programs.

Our purpose-built facility includes four large modular classrooms and 52 examination rooms designed for simulated learning, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE), and language assessments. These spaces allow for real-time monitoring, video recording, and centralized control, ensuring a secure and well-organized learning environment. By integrating modern technologies and flexible learning methods, we provide training that adapts to changes in professional practices and environments.

Key Features

State-of-the-Art Facility: Equipped with modular classrooms and examination rooms for various learning methods, including simulated learning and competency-based interviews.
Real-Time Interaction: Enables candidates to engage in role-playing, team activities, and lectures, enhancing interprofessional collaboration.
Flexible Learning Options: We deliver lecture-based, simulation-based, and asynchronous learning, which can be combined into a single program.

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Communicative Competence

Touchstone Institute offers specialized training tools and services designed to enhance communication skills in individuals and organizations. Our programs focus on improving verbal and nonverbal communication, fostering better interactions, and ensuring clarity across various platforms and settings.

We provide simulation-based programs like Communication through Simulation, which emulates authentic workplace interactions and offers real-time feedback. Nurse Ready is tailored for Internationally Educated Nurses and focuses on communication in high-stress environments. CELBAN is a unique nursing-specific language exam recognized across Canada for assessing English proficiency in nursing contexts.

Key Features

Increased Confidence: 100% of learners report a boost in confidence when responding empathetically to clients and colleagues.
Bias Awareness: 100% of learners gain a heightened awareness of their biases and impact on communication.
Innovative Assessment: We innovate formative assessment tools to improve communicative competence in healthcare.

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Event Hosting

Our Wellington Street West facility is purpose-built for many professional events, including corporate gatherings, conferences, seminars, and more. The venue features advanced technological support, modular classrooms, a fully equipped servery, 52 clinical exam rooms, observation corridors, and a sound system for seamless communication throughout the event.

We provide comprehensive event management services, from planning and consultation to on-site management, vendor coordination, and technical setup. Our preferred vendor list includes catering services. We assist in strategizing and managing all catering needs.

Key Features

Tailored Solutions: Customizable event hosting options that align with your budget and specific needs.
Holistic Approach: Ensures that every element of your event is meticulously planned and executed.
Expert Support: Contact our expert teams for transparent pricing and tailored event solutions.

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