Volunteering

About

Thank you for your interest in Volunteering at Hamilton Health Sciences

At Hamilton Health Sciences, we have more than 800 volunteers supporting our patients, their families and our staff. They’re an essential part of what we do.

The benefits to volunteering in health care are all very personal and may include the desire to help others, or to gain valuable knowledge and experience within a hospital environment. Whatever the reason, we appreciate the contributions our volunteers make. As a way to show our gratitude, we’re pleased to offer many benefits to our volunteers,  including complimentary drinks and parking, access to a wellness facility, scholarships, educational opportunities, and more.

Thank you for your interest in sharing your gift of time with our patients, families, staff, and community.

Our Mission Statement

To enhance the comfort of the patients and their families at Hamilton Health Sciences through the efforts of volunteers by:

  • Recruiting and managing quality volunteers for clinical and service programs
  • Creating a culture that values all volunteers and assists them in developing their potential to achieve the Volunteer Resources vision

Becoming a Volunteer

Volunteer Resources is committed to recruiting and supporting quality volunteers.

  • Volunteering at Hamilton Health Sciences involves making a minimum commitment of 50 hours or 6 months
  • Intake is based on the number of vacancies, availability, and suitability

Due to the volume of applications received, only those selected to continue through the process will be contacted. Volunteer Resources keeps applications on file for 3 months.

e-Information Session

It is important for anyone who interested in volunteering at HHS understands the commitment required and the process involved. Please review the e-information session below to see if volunteering at HHS is right for you!

Please review: VR E-Info Session – 2023-24

Opportunities

Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) prides itself on helping people of all ages access the best care they need when they need it most. Volunteers at HHS have the opportunity to support patients in many different programs across our hospitals, from children’s to seniors’ care. We offer placements in both clinical and common areas of the hospital and work with successful applicants to find a volunteer placement that’s right for them.

To review the Volunteer placements page please click the links below.

Please note: High School Student Volunteer Program

The High School Student Volunteer Program is the program available for people who are at least 14 years of age and are enrolled in High School. It is offered at the Hamilton General Hospital and Juravinski Hospital (for the Juravinski please select the Juravinski Cancer Centre as your site). The program runs Monday to Friday from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Advisor Connect

Advisor Connect is a volunteer-based mentorship program that provides support to those who are looking for more information about volunteering opportunities and the volunteer onboarding process at Hamilton Health Sciences. Through Advisor Connect, a representative from the HHS Volunteer program can provide you with helpful information as well as a unique perspective to support your volunteering experience.

To connect with an Advisor for the Juravinski & St. Peters click here

To connect with an Advisor for McMaster &  Hamilton General click here

 

FAQs

Can you provide a volunteer reintegration update?

Volunteer reintegration at Hamilton Health Sciences is a continuous process with recovery efforts taking place in many placement areas across the organization.

Are you accepting applications?

The volunteer application form is open. Note: All application forms are kept on file for 3-months of the application submission date. 

What volunteer placements are in most need?

Please monitor the Opportunities page of our website where placements are advertised.

I am required to complete volunteer hours for a course that I am taking. Who should I contact?

If you are fulfilling a school requirement please reach out to our Student Affairs department by visiting: www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/learning

Mandatory vaccinations

All new and returning volunteers must complete the pre-placement immunization process.

If you have any further questions please see the Advisor Connect tab at the top to speak with a volunteer member of the team.

Updated: August 24, 2023