Our greatest need for volunteers is during business hours: Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.
There are limited opportunities available in the evenings and on the weekends.
Note: The following list is by no means exhaustive of the volunteer roles across UHN. As well, some volunteer roles are specific to a particular UHN site and do not exist at all sites.
**The list below serves only as an example of the types of volunteer roles at each of the sites, NOT what is currently available.**
Volunteer Roles Overview
The following is a general overview of volunteer roles available at UHN. Once placed into a volunteer role, a volunteer will receive a Volunteer Position Description specific to their volunteer role. This Volunteer Position Description will outline the responsibilities and qualifications of their volunteer role.
Administrative Support
- Greeting and welcoming patients, visitors and staff
- Filing, faxing and photocopying
- Errands to other departments
Clinical Support
- Greet and escort patients and visitors
- Assist with various administrative tasks including photocopying, filing, phone calls
- Assist patients with general inquiries and information needs
- Prepare examination rooms and escort patients to examination rooms
- Assist the clinics in managing patient flow to ensure that patients are received and discharged efficiently
Inpatient Support
I.e. Inpatient Unit Support, Patient Visiting
- Provide and engage in activities with patients (reading material, playing cards, board games, puzzles, talking, reading to/with patients, writing letters, arts and crafts)
- Escort/accompany medically stable patients for walks
- Escort patients for walks
- Provide companionship when requested
- Connect with nursing/health professional staff when a patient/visitor wishes to speak with staff
- Keep staff informed of any questions or concerns raised
Patient and Family Support
I.e. Navigator, Information Desk, Waiting Room Support, Critical Care Units, Emergency Department, Wellness Program Support
- Assist with way-finding, direct and escort patients and other clients (e.g. caregivers, visitors) to different areas in the hospital
- Greet and welcome visitors and caregivers
- Provide activities for patients (providing reading material, playing cards, board games, puzzles, talking, reading to patients, writing letters, arts and crafts)
- Liaise between visitors and medical staff
Rehab Therapy Support
I.E. Wellness Program Support, Therapeutic Recreation Support, Physiotherapy Support, OTA/PTA Support
- Assist in fostering a friendly environment through social interaction
- Assist in maintaining a safe and tidy patient environment (wiping down mats, changing pillows, returning equipment to appropriate rooms, tidying environment)
- Assist with administrative tasks (taking inventory, filing, literature searches, photocopying)
Specialized Patient Support
I.E. Healing Beyond the Body (HBB) Virtual Program
- The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre has a trained team of volunteers who work directly with cancer patients and their supporters as part of the
Healing Beyond the Body program. HBB volunteers offer emotional support and participate in friendly conversations by phone or video chat with patients and caregivers who are under care at PM. HBB volunteers can help answer questions, connect patients with services and assist with practical problem-solving.
- Call 416 946 4501 ext. 3311 or email hbb.volunteers@uhn.ca for more information.
