Volunteer Services

Commitment:

• Adults:  minimum of one year
• High School Students:  one school year (September-June)
• Post-Secondary Students:  12-14 weeks minimum (May-August)

Volunteering provides many lifelong experiences and memories. It can help you become involved in your community by sharing your knowledge, talents and interests with others. Volunteering allows you to meet new people, network with others, explore new career options and provide you with references for employment, scholarships or bursaries.

We are looking for volunteers who can work independently with minimal supervision, who are energetic and enthusiastic, enjoy working with people and helping others, and are serious about making a regular volunteer commitment to help us meet our Mission, Vision and Values.

Volunteering with any organization is a big responsibility.  Please review all of the information provided to decide whether this is a good time in your life to make such a commitment.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Volunteer

Patient Support

• Provide diversion, support and recreational activities
• Assist at meal time
• Play piano or other musical instruments
• Serve refreshments and provide friendly visiting to patients on dialysis or chemotherapy
• Provide Pet Therapy to patients through an approved Therapy Dog Program
• Provide support to patients in outpatient clinics
• Applicants should have a high level of empathy, compassion and be comfortable in a hospital setting

Information and Navigation

• Information and way finding
• Welcome patients and families to the hospital
• Provide information, directions and patient room numbers to patients and families
• Assist patients in navigating through the Diagnostic Imaging Department
• Applicants should have excellent customer service and interpersonal skills

Retail and Fundraising

• Selling and stocking merchandise, selling break-open tickets in the Gift Shop
• Supporting Hospital Foundation special events such as the annual Dairy Capital Run and charity golf tournament
• Applicants should have excellent customer service skills and enjoy a service industry type setting

Administrative Support

• Assisting staff with various administrative tasks, such as inputting data on the computer, filing, collating, photocopying, assembling training packages, assisting with mail-outs, assembling patient education packages, obtaining patient signatures for certain forms
• Applicants should be mature, have good organizational skills and attention to detail

The Four-Step Application Process

To become a volunteer at Woodstock Hospital you must first complete the application process. Once the following steps are complete, we will work together on selecting a placement and arrange training for you.

Step 1: Submit the Volunteer Application Package Consisting of

• Volunteer application form 
• Two completed and signed reference forms from people who have known you for at least one year. Suitable references include: employers, co-workers, teachers, church leaders, coaches. Please do not use family members, friends, doctors or lawyers as references
• Additional references may be requested at the discretion of Volunteer Services

• If you are a secondary or post-secondary student, the information you need is at the bottom of this page

Step 2:  Interview

Volunteer Services screens all application packages. An interview will be arranged with the most suitable candidates whom we feel have a good fit within the organization and a placement that will benefit both parties.  If we do not have any vacancies that match your availability, interests or abilities, you will be notified in writing.

Step 3: Pre-Placement Health Review

A health screening is mandatory for all successful applicants and is required before beginning a placement.  Following acceptance, proof of immunizations and a two-step T.B. skin test is required.  You will receive a health clearance checklist outlining what is needed. 

Please note that the cost of the T.B. test is the responsibility of the applicant.  Fees range from approximately $30-$90 depending on where you go for the T.B. test.

Step 4: Vulnerable Sector Screening 

A vulnerable sector screening is required by all successful applicants prior to beginning their placement.  A valid volunteer sector screening will be accepted up to six months prior to the placement.  The cost of such screening is the responsibility of the applicant.

Selected applicants will receive an invitation to attend the next scheduled orientation.  Here you will learn about hospital policies, procedures, information about safety and security, infection control, confidentiality and privacy. Training within your role will be scheduled with an experienced volunteer or a staff member after the general orientation, at which time you will also receive your uniform and photo ID badge.

If you have received your quiz package, please click here for the General Orientation Teaching Package.

Volunteer Application

Before you apply, have you read through the Four-Step Process?

Click here to be directed to the online volunteer application form. 

Two references are required. Click here to obtain a reference form. 

Click here to print a complete volunteer application package. If printing a copy, please submit your application by fax, mail or as an e-mail attachment to volunteers@wgh.on.ca.

Student Volunteers

• High school students must be 15 years of age and must provide a minimum commitment of one school year. Summer opportunities are only available to current student volunteers.
• College/university students are typically accepted during the summer break only.  It is strongly recommended that you apply in the spring (as early as possible) to allow time to complete the application process. 
• The deadline for all students is May 1st.

• Requests for Co-op placements: please contact Human Resources at ext. 2249.