Frequently Asked Questions

• What does a Volunteer do?
• As a Volunteer…
• What skills do you need to volunteer at the Hospital?
• What are the requirements for being a Volunteer at Grand River Hospital?
• How do you become a Volunteer?

What does a volunteer do?

We assist patients and their families, as well as the staff, through volunteering in:

Direct Patient Care Areas:

Clinics: Emergency, Dialysis, Rehabilitation, X-Ray/Ultrasound, Day Surgery

Inpatient Units: Palliative Care, Oncology, Medicine, Friendly Visiting, Joke Junction, Feeding Assistance

Indirect Patient Care Areas:

• Information/Portering - Main Hospital Building
• GRH Family Lodge
• Administration e.g. - Public Affairs, Library & Resource Centre, Diabetic Clinics
• Retail Shops:
  • Gift Shop
  • Ice Cream Parlour
  • Thrift Shop
  • General Store
  • H.E.L.P. Lottery Booth

Volunteer Association Board & Committee Members

As a volunteer…

You will have the opportunity to:

• Learn new skills
• Make new friends
• Enjoy the satisfaction that comes from helping others
• Add to the quality of health care by helping the patients, their families, the staff, and visitors.
• Add to your resume or life experiences.

What skills do you need to volunteer at the hospital?

No special skills are required, but you need to be someone who is patient with people under stress, someone who listens and hears, someone who cares about others, someone who is non-judgmental and reliable, and someone who wants to be a contributing member of our community.

Training will be provided once you have determined your volunteer placement.

What are the requirements for being a volunteer at Grand River Hospital?

Must be minimum 16 years of age.

There is a minimum six month commitment. Most volunteers work one shift of about three hours each week. Depending upon your placement, there may be a set time (i.e. 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. ) or variable.

All volunteer candidates must attend a two-hour volunteer information/orientation session.

All volunteers must complete tuberculosis (TB) skin tests and have immunity against rubella (German Measles), red measles, and chicken pox. Our occupational health nurse is available to assist all volunteers to meet these health requirements.

Attend an informal interview with the co-ordinator of volunteer resources to discuss your interests and potential volunteer assignments.

You must provide the name and telephone number of two references. Your references will be checked shortly after your interview.

How do you become a volunteer?

All volunteers must attend an information/orientation session. Contact our department for more details about our program and dates for upcoming information sessions.
Telephone: (519) 749-4300, ext. 2613.
E-mail: volunteer@grhosp.on.ca