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Volunteering at Southlake

Volunteering with Passion

Building healthy communities through outstanding patient care begins by improving the patient experience. Our valued volunteers are placed where we feel they will provide the most support to Southlake. Whether assisting with wayfinding, registration, recreation or bedside visits, the role of a volunteer is, and always will be to deliver the best patient experience.

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Patient Support Services

 Our patient support volunteer opportunities reside on both inpatient floors and outpatient clinics in over 60 unique roles. For example: assisting patients during mealtimes, delivering programs for at-risk seniors, assisting in the Emergency Department, or supporting our outpatient rehabilitation services.  Courtesy positions such as way-finding or gift shop are also available to provide our patients with the best care while enriching their hospital experience. Each role offers valuable experience supporting patients and their families.

Stronach Regional Cancer Centre

Our outpatient cancer treatment facility offers volunteers a meaningful experience by supporting patients living with cancer. These supportive roles are offered in the Radiation Department, Outpatient Clinic, Chemotherapy, Patient and Family Resource Centre and Courtesy functions (welcoming and way-finding) throughout the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre. Please note these volunteer opportunities are only available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Residential Care Facilities

If you are seeking an opportunity where you support a patient’s longer-term care, Southlake’s Residential Care Village provides one-on-one time with residents. Helping with activities such as Bingo and movie night, as well as sharing your individual interests (music and crafts) with residents provides a valuable patient experience.

Non-patient Support Services

Many of our volunteers support hospital departments and operations that are not directly involved in the care of patients. Southlake values every volunteer no matter what their individual skill and experience may be. Some examples include our finance, internal mail delivery and laboratory volunteer opportunities.

Community Engagement

Engaging our outside communities by providing informational programs such as the Travelling Roadshow, where volunteers visit a local Grade 1 class to share information about what they need to know about visiting the hospital. Or our PARTY program which offers high school students an inside look at the devastating effects of unsafe behaviours from partying.

Within different areas of the hospital, there are over 110 enriching volunteer opportunities at Southlake. Each will provide a rewarding experience in direct patient care or non-patient support. Rest assured, no matter where you apply to volunteer, you will be impacting the lives of patients and families, and Southlake is passionate about making a difference in your life as well.

To become a volunteer you must:

  • Be 16 years of age or older.
  • Submit an online application.
  • Attend an in-person interview.
  • Commit to a minimum of 75 hours.

Acceptance as a volunteer is conditional upon:

  • Submitting two reference forms.
  • Submitting a clear Vulnerable Sector Screening (Police Check).
  • Completing a two-step tuberculosis (TB) test and proof of up to date immunizations.
  • Attending an orientation session.

Note: Due to changes within our requirements and the personal availability of individual applicants, we cannot guarantee that every applicant will obtain a volunteer placement.

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Frequently Asked Questions

All volunteers who are accepted into the program must complete a 1-hour orientation session. In addition, each volunteer is required to complete an online training via the Volunteer Portal.

Upon completion of screening requirements, volunteers are trained on role-specific tasks.

It is important to ensure that we have a full complement of volunteers during each shift to allow us to provide the best experience possible for our patients, families, and visitors.

While the expectation is that you attend every shift, we recognize that unforeseen circumstances may arise. In such situations, we ask that you let us know as soon as possible so that we can discuss the possibility of a leave of absence.

New volunteers begin with one position. Additional opportunities may be considered if we have a suitable position available and a minimum of 6 weeks have passed since your first shift.

The list of vacant volunteer positions changes on a daily basis. Once you submit an online application, you will receive an updated list of volunteer opportunities.

We kindly ask that you choose a role based on your interest and long-term availability. Once you select a position from the list provided, we will invite you to attend an interview.

If you have a preferred volunteer area, we ask that you indicate this on your application. Please note that accommodating specific position requests may not always be feasible.

The minimum age to volunteer at all sites across Southlake is 16 years of age or older. You must be the minimum age when you submit your application.

Post-secondary students seeking placements at the hospital can obtain further information and fill out an application in the Learning at Southlake section of the website.

Volunteer roles do not include duties or responsibilities that are performed by a licensed or regulated profession (physician, physiotherapist, nurse, lab technician, etc.) All volunteers, regardless of their training, are restricted to only performing the duties outlined in their volunteer role description.

We recognize that life can be very busy. This is why we ask for a commitment of one shift per week for a minimum of 2 to 4 hours.

Volunteering at the hospital does not guarantee that you will receive a paid position. If you are interested in paid employment, please visit the career section of our website.

Volunteers receive complimentary parking during their volunteer shift.