Thank you for considering Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) for your donation of volunteer time. Please note, due to the high interest in our baby cuddling program, we have a closed waiting list and are not accepting new applicants. If you are interested in volunteering, we are currently recruiting for the following volunteer positions:
Patient & Visitor Navigator
- Escort patients to and from their outpatient appointments.
- Provide wayfinding and mobility support for patients, visitors and vendors in the hospital.
- Ensure masks are readily available at all hospital entrances.
- Navigator positions available in various departments including the information desk, patient registration department, out-patient department, etc.
Gift Shop
- Greet customers.
- Provide customer service.
- Handle and accept all cash, debit and credit card payments using Point-of-Sale software.
- Assist with product merchandising.
Hospital Elder Life Program Volunteer
- Daily Visiting: provide support, encouragement and companionship to older patients and their families, by providing conversations, orientation, interactions and socialization and reading materials to minimize, or prevent mental confusion during hospitalization
- Early Mobilization: providing daily accompaniment with walking or exercises, when appropriate, and as directed by the physiotherapy, occupational therapy, Behavioural Specialist, and/or nursing teams
- Hearing & Vision Support: ensuring older patients to have access to clean glasses and/or hearing assistive devices, or other communication devices
- Therapeutic Engagement: providing meaningful, person-centred activities to keep patients mentally and socially stimulated during their stay
- Meal Support & Hydration: where appropriate, provide assistance at mealtimes including tray set-up, opening containers, cutting up food, verbal cueing, hydration reminders, and companionship during meal time (this does not include feeding patients)
- Sleep Health: providing sleeping strategies to put patients at ease and make them feel more comfortable sleeping in the hospital environment
- Promote Wellbeing: provide encouragement, companionship, and comfort throughout the patient’s hospital stay
Requirements for joining the Adult Program:
- be at least 18 years of age
- be able to make a one-year commitment to volunteering at MGH
- contribute two to four hours once a week
- complete an online application form
- provide two references
- submit full immunization and two-step TB Skin Test documentation
- must agree to a Criminal Background Check conducted and paid for by the hospital
- proficient in English, both speaking and writing
- team oriented, great customer service skills, reliable, punctual and professional
Volunteer Application Process & Deadlines
It is important to note, that not all applicants will be contacted and interviewed. Applications will remain active for a six month period and applicants will be called based on vacancies and applicant availability.
Frequently Asked Questions about becoming an Adult Volunteer
- Does volunteering lead to employment at MGH?
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Volunteering does not directly lead to employment at MGH. Volunteers are considered external applicants when applying for a job and do not receive preferential treatment over other external candidates.
- How do I become a volunteer at MGH?
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Please complete the Adult Volunteer Program Application form.
- May I choose where I would like to volunteer?
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Of course, we have many different areas that volunteers support. We try to accommodate all placement preferences whenever possible. We encourage you to remain in the same placement for a minimum of one-year, but if you desire, a placement change can be arranged.
- Will my volunteer experience be helpful as a reference for future employment?
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It can be extremely beneficial in certain job markets. You are entitled to a reference letter after volunteering for a period of six months.
- What happens if I am sick or going on holidays?
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If you are sick, we ask that you contact us as soon as possible to ensure that a replacement can be found to cover your designated area. If you are going on holidays, we require a minimum of two weeks notice to ensure that volunteer coverage is arranged for your absence. If you are continually missing shifts, we will ask that you resign from your duties.
- How many volunteers does MGH have?
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On a weekly basis, we have 500 volunteers assisting over 40 different service areas in the hospital. Each volunteer participates in their service a minimum of two hours per week.
- I love working with people; will I be able to work first-hand with patients?
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Most definitely, the majority of our volunteer placements involve direct patient and staff contact.
- Will I receive a position description?
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Yes. Each MGH volunteer receives a written volunteer position description outlining the duties and responsibilities of the service they are assigned to.