Opportunities and roles
Volunteer stories
From working directly with patients, to helping raise funds which support the hospital, we offer a wide variety of opportunities for those who wish to make a difference in the lives of our patients, residents and their families.
Volunteers act as ambassadors for the hospital. Our goal is a mutually beneficial placement where volunteers help to enhance the care of our patients and have a fulfilling experience.
For students, opportunities depend on the time of year (summer or school year) and student availability.
Main hospital
With close to 500 inpatients, and thousands of outpatient visits, there are a wide array of volunteer roles in the acute care area of the hospital.
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Clinics and medical imaging: help with patient flow through the clinic, and help to ease anxiety of a hospital visit, and provide a warm, caring atmosphere
- Emergency Department: volunteers help with assorted duties, and also help to ease the anxiety of an emergency visit for patients and those who accompany them
- Family waiting rooms: provide information and general support to family members of patients receiving care or in surgery
- Geriatric Day Hospital: provide assistance with recreational therapy programs to elderly clients
- Gift Shop: work in our beautiful retail store which staff, patients and visitors rely on for their shopping needs.
- Greeters: provide information and directions at key locations
- Heartpals: those who have had heart surgery provide peer support to heart surgery patients pre- and post-operatively
- Hospital Orientation & Support Team (HOST): provide information, directions and also walk people to their destination throughout high traffic areas of hospital
- Mobility volunteer program: help to encourage patients to stay as mobile as possible and provide opportunities for socialization
- Refreshment and book carts: volunteers sell refreshments to patients waiting in various areas of the hospital and provide reading material to patients
- Same day surgery: provide general support to patients having outpatient surgery, including assisting when discharged
- Wheelchair service: escort patients in wheelchairs to appointments
Veterans Centre
Our long-term care facility is home to more than 500 of Canada's war veterans. Volunteers enhance their quality of life in a variety of roles.
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Chapel escort in Veterans Centre: volunteers take residents in wheelchairs to faith-based services- Coffee socialization: socialize and provide refreshments to veterans during a daily hour of entertainment
- Creative arts therapies: assist staff and veterans with art, music and horticultural activities
- Palliative care visiting: provide compassionate visiting to patients and their families in end-of-life situation
- Pet therapy: visit designated veterans with a dog. Must be a registered volunteer with a therapy dog organization (ie. Therapeutic Paws of Canada)
- Recreation therapy: assist staff and veterans with recreational activities i.e. discussion groups, special meal preparations, events and outings
- Resident visiting: provide one-on-one socialization with veterans
- Wheelchair service: escort veterans to programs, therapies and medical appointments within the centre and hospital
Odette Cancer Centre
A regional outpatient cancer treatment facility, the volunteer program in the cancer centre is generously supported by the Canadian Cancer Society in partnership with the hospital.
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Chemotherapy unit: provide support and assistance to patients receiving chemotherapy treatment
- Clinic support (including radiation and blood lab): assist with patient flow in the clinic helping to ease anxiety and provide a warm caring atmosphere
- Information desk: provide directions and assistance to patients and families; prepare and maintain refreshment carts within the centre
- Patient Education And Research Learning Centre (PEARL): a resource centre which provides information to patients and family members in the form of printed material, internet access, classes, etc.
- Symptom screening: provide support to patients when completing the electronic screening survey regarding symptoms associated with cancer treatment
Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre
Our downtown site specializes in orthopaedics (surgical and non surgical treatment).
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Gift shop: provide customer service and sales of assorted sundries and gifts, as well as patient aids and equipment- Outpatient department: provide patients with support and encouragement while attending a very busy clinic (i.e. completing forms, provide directions etc.)
- Physiotherapy/rehab: assist staff and patients with rehab activities
St. John's Rehab
There are several different volunteer positions at St. John's Rehab. We will work with you to find a placement that best matches your interests with the needs of the hospital.
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- Meal tray delivery
- Gift shop attendant
- Chapel porter
- Physiotherapy porter
- Administration support
- Library
- Nursing unit assistant
- Special events
- Research
Evening and weekend opportunities
Volunteer opportunities are more limited outside of business hours.
The following roles are available evening and weekends - the majority in
the main hospital.
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- Chapel escort in Veterans Centre: volunteers take residents in wheelchairs to faith-based services
- Critical care unit family waiting room support: provide information and general support to family members of patients receiving care or in surgery
- Emergency Department: volunteers help with assorted duties, and also help to ease the anxiety of an emergency visit for patients and those who accompany them
- Gift Shop: work in our beautiful retail store which staff, patients and visitors rely on for their shopping needs
- Hospital Orientation & Support Team (HOST): provide information, directions and also walk people to their destination throughout high traffic areas of hospital
- Resident visiting in the Veterans Centre: provide and enjoy one-on-one socialization with veterans
