Adult Volunteer Program

Thank you for considering Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) for your donation of volunteer time. We are recruiting for the following volunteer positions at the hospital. Please note, due to the high interest, we have closed the waiting list and are not accepting new applicants for our Baby Cuddling Volunteer Program.

The General Store Volunteer

The General Store is the volunteer-run gift shop and one of the hospital's retail vendors. 100% of profits go back to Michael Garron Hopsital. Volunteers in this position:

• Greet customers;
• Provide customer service;
• Handle and accept all cash, debit and credit card payments using point-of-sale software;
• Handle and sell instant and online lottery tickets; and
• Assist with product merchandising. 

Available times include: Fridays 1:00PM - 5:00PM; Tuesday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 6:30PM - 8:30PM.

Ophthalmology Volunteer (offsite: Wynford Drive)

This position is available starting October at our offsite location near Wynford Dr. Volunteers in this position:

• Support patients and help answer questions prior to their procedure;
• Provide wayfinding and mobility support for patients and family members; and
• Coordinate transportation for patients by calling family members or taxis on their behalf.

Available times include: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:30AM - 1:30PM.

Patient Experience Partner

 Patient Experience Partners are volunteers who use their lived healthcare experiences to help improve care at Michael Garron Hospital. They work with hospital staff by joining meetings, sharing their opinions in small groups, helping interview new employees, creating information materials for patients, and giving advice on hospital panels. Partners use their own experiences as patients or family members to help the hospital improve care and services for everyone. 

Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) Volunteer

The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) is a volunteer-based patient support program that helps prevent delirium in older hospitalized patients and maintains their ability to live a healthy lifestyle. Volunteers in this position support with:

• Daily visiting: Provide support, encouragement and companionship to older patients and their families by providing conversations, orientation, interactions, socialization and reading materials to minimize or prevent mental confusion during hospitalization;
• Early mobilization: Provide daily accompaniment with walking or exercises, when appropriate and as directed by the Behavioural Specialist, and/or physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nursing teams;
• Hearing and vision support: Ensure older patients to have access to clean glasses and/or hearing assistive devices or other communication devices;
• Therapeutic engagement: Provide meaningful, person-centred activities to keep patients mentally and socially stimulated during their stay;
• Meal support and hydration: Where appropriate, provide assistance at mealtimes including tray set-up, opening containers, cutting up food, verbal cueing, hydration reminders and companionship during mealtime (this does not include feeding patients);
• Sleep health: Provide sleeping strategies to put patients at ease and make them feel more comfortable sleeping in the hospital environment; and
• Promote well-being: Provide encouragement, companionship and comfort throughout the patient’s hospital stay.

Available times vary Monday to Friday, 9:00AM - 3:00PM based on your schedule. Must be available to attend an in-person 8 hour training.

Requirements for joining the Adult Volunteer 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 linked on this webpage;
• Provide two references;
• Submit full immunization and two-step tuberculosis (TB) skin test documentation;
• Must agree to a criminal background check conducted and paid for by the hospital;
• Be proficient in speaking, reading and writing English; and
• Be team-oriented, reliable, punctual and professional and have great customer service skills.

Volunteer Application Process and 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?

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?

Please complete the Adult Volunteer Program Application Form.

May I choose where I would like to volunteer?

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?

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?

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?

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?

Most definitely. The majority of our volunteer placements involve direct patient and staff contact.

Will I receive a position description?

Yes. Each MGH volunteer receives a written volunteer position description outlining the duties and responsibilities of the service they are assigned to.