Volunteering in Client/ Patient Programs

What is the application process for becoming a volunteer?

1. Submit an online volunteer application, including two completed Reference Forms.
2. Attend a screening interview (on-site or virtual)
3. Meet all screening requirements, including a Vulnerable Sector Check and Holland Bloorview’s immunization compliance standards
4. Participate in Online Orientation, Introductory Training, and program-specific training

When can I expect to hear back after submitting a complete application?

• Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted by Volunteer Resources. Please take note of application deadlines for September to June, March Break, and Summer volunteer opportunities.
• Our preferred method of communication is via e-mail. Please check the e-mail address you provided on your application regularly for follow-up messages.

Please note that, due to privacy, the progress of any application can only be discussed with the applicant directly.

Are you waiting for a placement after your interview?

If you have been interviewed and not placed in a program yet, please note that during high recruitment phases placements will continue to be made as programs confirm their requested numbers of volunteers.

For all document or image uploads required, please make sure that you are uploading files in either a .pdf (PDF) or .jpeg (JPG) format.

If you have an iPhone or iPad, it may take photos in HEIF/HEIC format by default (if you were to look at the file, you would see that it has a .heic after the file name). Volunteer Resources is not able to open files in this format. 

If you use an iPhone or iPad and you don't want to worry about images being saved as HEIC files while you are taking photos or screenshots for upload, you can simply set your phone or tablet to always use the JPG format:

1. Start the Settings app.
2. Tap Camera.
3. On the Camera settings page, tap Formats. 
4. Tap Most Compatible. 
    

What is the minimum time commitment required to volunteer?

To best support our clients we have a minimum volunteer time commitment for all of our programs.

September – June

• For placements between September and June, we require a commitment of 1 shift per week (approximately 3 hours a week) throughout Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions. This typically amounts to 75 hours over the entire duration of September to June. Volunteer shifts occur at the same time and day each week.

Summer

• For placements during July and/or August, we require a commitment of 100 to 150 hours over the summer. Exact scheduling may vary depending on program placement. 

March Break

• For placements during March Break, we require a volunteer time commitment of 40 hours over 5 full days, Monday to Friday.

What are the age requirements to volunteer?

Whether you're looking to give back to your community, retired, on a gap year between schooling, or a high school/ university student, we welcome you to explore the many opportunities that our volunteer program offers.

• For the Aquatic Program: 14 and 15 years of age must have Bronze Medallion or the Bronze Cross Lifesaving Society Award qualifications. 16 years of age and older are not required to have these qualifications.
• For the Robotics Program: 15 years of age with previous FIRST® Robotics experience. 16 years of age and older are not required to have these qualifications.
• At least 16 years of age for most programs.
• 17 years old+ for most inpatient programs.
• 18 years old+ for most outpatient and community life skills programs.

What are the requirements for completing the Vulnerable Sector Search?

• If you are 18 years of age or older (or turn 18 while volunteering), you will be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check.
• A Vulnerable Sector Check is required to screen individuals that work or volunteer in positions of trust and/or authority relative to vulnerable individuals (e.g., teachers and daycare workers, service providers working with individuals with disabilities). Holland Bloorview staff, volunteers, and clinical learners are included in this group.
• Vulnerable Sector Checks are considered the most thorough type of police record checks and require a comprehensive search of national and local police databases. Due to the nature of these checks, there is a fee charged, whether the check is conducted for employment, education, or volunteering purposes.
• It is the applicant’s sole responsibility to pay any costs incurred to meet the police check requirements.
• Further instructions on the process for obtaining this check will be provided to you at your screening interview, depending on which region you reside in. 

What are the immunization requirements?

• Successful applicants must complete our Holland Bloorview screening process within two (2) weeks of their start date providing proof of immunity to rubella, measles, mumps and varicella (chicken pox) as well as documentation of a 2-step Tuberculosis (TB) skin test. The mandatory screening form will be provided upon successful volunteer placement and must be completed by your family physician, registered nurse, or Occupational Health Nurse.
• The two-step TB skin test requires four visits to your doctor and therefore can take several weeks to complete. Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) guidelines state that blood screening (QuantiFERON - TB Gold Plus) is NOT accepted as a form of Tuberculosis testing. This must be completed as a 2 step skin test.
• It is the applicant’s sole responsibility to pay any costs incurred to meet the immunization requirements.

Are you a current volunteer needing to report an absence?

Please make sure to let your staff supervisor know. Their contact information is available in your position description in Better Impact:

1. Please make sure to let your staff supervisor know. Their contact information is available in your position description in Better Impact:
   Click on the “SCHEDULE” tab at the top of the homepage. You will be able to view your scheduled shifts.
2. Please click on the red i button to view the position description for your volunteer role.

If you are reporting an absence due to illness:

1. If you are experiencing Respiratory or Gastrointestinal symptoms, please leave a message on the Occupational Health AWAY Line at: (416) 425-6220 ext. 3020, then press 1. Please leave details of your symptoms, as well as your name and phone number and that you are a volunteer. A member of the Occupational Health team will follow up with you.

Will I need to pay for parking?

Registered Holland Bloorview volunteers are granted complimentary parking while on shift. To receive this benefit, volunteers must show their hospital volunteer identification badge at Main Reception.

Does the hospital provide TTC fare for those who take public transit?

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital does not provide TTC fare or reimbursements for public transit. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation costs to and from the hospital.

Is transportation to and from volunteering provided by the hospital?

Transportation to and from volunteering is the responsibility of the volunteer. The hospital does not offer transportation services or reimbursements.

Where can I store my bicycle or scooter at the hospital?

You can store and lock your bicycle or scooter on the bike racks located around the exterior of the building. Please be sure to bring your own personal lock. Note that Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available to support our client/ patient centred programs. Details of current available volunteer opportunities can be found below:

• September to June Volunteering Opportunities
• March Break Volunteering Opportunities
• Summer Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteer Resources does not offer clinical practice, clinician shadowing opportunities, internships or observership placements. Please see our Research & Education page for more information.

• If you have volunteered at Holland Bloorview within the last 3 years, please contact volunteers@hollandbloorview.ca to discuss your interest and requirements for returning to volunteer.
• If you are a past Holland Bloorview volunteer who has been inactive for more than 3 years, (i.e it has been 3 years or longer since your last volunteer shift), you will need to reapply through for the program of interest.

Please consider the following prior to requesting a reference:

We require a minimum of 2 weeks; longer is better, especially if the reference requires time to complete.

• Have you reliably fulfilled the expected commitment to your program including regular attendance?
• What type of reference do you require? (e.g. academic, employment, confirmation of volunteering, verification of hours, etc.)
• Our records allow us to provide a reference within three (3) years from your last date of volunteering.

If a student placement is a requirement of your post-secondary studies, you will need to visit the Centralized Student Services page for more information.

If you are a high school student looking for a co-op placement as part of your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), please review our High School Co-op Education Opportunities.

Volunteer Resources is responsible for providing the hospital with volunteers. Volunteer Resources has no authority to offer employment and volunteers are not considered internal applicants. Volunteering may, however, provide you with experience or exposure that will later assist you in finding employment.