West Parry Sound Health Centre Volunteers
How to Volunteer
What you can expect
You can expect to support a dynamic team of health care professionals. You will utilize your own special skills and experiences. Expect to make new friends, increase your social circle, and give back to your community. Every person volunteers for a different reason, but one thing is for certain... expect to receive as much as you give.
At West Parry Sound Health Centre (WPSHC), we believe in positive experiences. We will make your volunteer experience an enjoyable one from start to finish. When you make your call to enquire about volunteering:
- You will undergo a short pre-screening interview;
- You may be invited to attend a personal interview with a staff member or a volunteer coordinator;
- A current (within the last year) criminal record check is required;
- two references are requested;
- Mandatory TB testing is necessary;
- You will receive orientation to learn about your duties at WPSHC;
- You will be contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator and trained in your service of choice.
You are then ready to start your journey as a volunteer at West Parry Sound Health Centre.
Our expectations
We ask for a minimum of one-year time commitment. You will be part of the team and the staff will rely on you.
Our volunteer shifts vary, but most are four hours per week or four hours every other week. You will be assigned or you will choose a service where you will volunteer consistently.
Volunteer Opportunities
Information Desk - Days, Evenings and Weekends
Greet, direct and provide general information about the hospital from the Main Lobby entrance. Respond to inquiries by telephone and in person.
Nursing Units - Monday through Sunday: morning shifts.
Assist patients on the inpatient units with menus, meals, visiting and related functions.
Our Hospital Elder Life Program
The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) at West Parry Sound Health Centre is a multidisciplinary approach to enhancing the care of older adults while they are hospitalized. By combining the efforts of staff, physicians, and volunteers the program works to eliminate the decline in mental and physical abilities that can occur with older patients while they are in hospital. Many of these patients can find comfort in the assistance of well trained and compassionate volunteers.
Under the direction and supervision of staff, our specially trained HELP volunteers can assist us in providing improved patient and family centred care that aims to prevent decline in mental/cognitive and physical functioning.
HELP volunteer tasks may include:
Daily visits with HELP patients to provide friendly support and communication.
- bedside visits can include activities such as reminiscing, games, and discussion of current events.
Walking with active HELP patients.
Assisting HELP patients to do range of motion exercises.
Providing assistance and companionship during meals.
HELP Training and Orientation:
New HELP volunteers will receive orientation on confidentiality, infection control, safety codes, and a tour of selected areas of the health centre. They will also receive 12 hours of specialized classroom training and 12 hours of on-unit training under the direction of the HELP Coordinator.
Emergency Department - Support patients and families awaiting treatment in the Emergency Department. Volunteers support our delivery of care by greeting and directing patients and their families, providing general information about hospital programs, and assisting staff with administrative functions. There are no set shifts for the ED Volunteer Program. Shifts are flexible, depending both on availability of volunteers and the needs of the department. This new program is enhancing patient care services in our busy ED.
Outpatient Clinics - Weekdays: mornings and afternoons.
Receive and support patients and families arriving for appointments, and assist staff with administrative functions.
Other Opportunities
Our volunteers are active in a variety of services throughout the hospital. Please ask us about additional volunteer opportunities, including committee and leadership positions.
Please contact Volunteer Services Coordinator Kristen Millett if you are interested in discussing volunteer opportunities in general, or the specific openings: Call 746-4540 Ext. 2441 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to express your interest.