Volunteer Program

 

CURRENT VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer Resources will continue to connect with all current volunteers with status updates.

DONORS

We very much appreciate everyone's kind thoughts and generosity. We are so appreciative of everyone who has donated knit goods to IWK Health, your hearts are big and your donations match. 

Our community has been so generous that at this time, we are not able to accept any further donations of baby hats. Our storage rooms are stuffed fuller than full! Thank you so much for your kind and generous gifts, please feel free to reach out to our Volunteer Resources team in a few months for updates.

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing pandemic, we are also not able to accept any other donated items (finger puppets, blankets, comfort dolls etc.)

If you have any further questions or concerns, you can email Kylene.Mellor@iwk.nshealth.ca.

 

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Volunteer Programs

Volunteers are critical to the work we do at the IWK. Each year hundreds of volunteers play a key role in our efforts to provide the best care to Maritime women, children, youth, and families. Volunteers can be found in almost every area of the Health Centre, providing direct assistance to staff, patients, and families, and offering support when necessary.

Core Program (currently on hold due to COVID-19)
The Core Program offers adults and post-secondary students the opportunity to volunteer from September to June.

IWK Health Centre Volunteer Application Form

Summer Youth Volunteer Program (for youth aged 14-18)
March 2022 update
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are not able to host the Summer Youth Volunteer Program for 2022. We know this will be disappointing for many and we hope to resume in summer 2023. Please check back in with us in January 2023 for updates. You can contact us via phone 902-470-6692 or email: Kylene.mellor@iwk.nshealth.ca with any questions.

Co-operative Education Program
The IWK supports high school students with supervised out-of-school learning opportunities, and the occasion to earn credits while assisting students in making career decisions. Placements are offered in September only. Interested students should contact the Co-op department in their school for more information.

Program Requirements
This is what you need to know:

• A minimum once per week shift is required for a period of at least 8 months. This will be scheduled for the same day and time each week and will range from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the role.
• Because most patient programming happens during the day, we have a greater need for daytime volunteers.
• Evening and weekend opportunities are limited.
• Not all listed opportunities are available to students in the Summer Program.
• Many factors are considered when matching volunteers to a placement. These include availability, interests, skills, and how they match to available opportunities.
• Because many of our placements offer interactions with clients, it is important that our volunteers be able to follow and give direction, and to express oneself clearly and concisely in the English language. Additional languages are an asset.
• All new volunteers must complete a health centre orientation. Staff in placement areas provide additional training and support.
• Complimentary parking privileges are available for volunteer shifts.
• Opportunities do not include job shadowing experiences.
• As an applicant, please submit the following documents with your application:
• Two complete reference check forms. These can be found here. (link)
• A current resume/cv.
• Immunization status: vaccination record showing two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine or proof of immunity to the mumps through a blood test. A health care provider (family doctor, walk-in clinic, university/college health services) may assist in obtaining this requirement.

If you are accepted as a volunteer at the IWK you will be required to complete and submit the following:

• A child abuse register check through the Department of Community Services.
• A criminal record check and, depending on your area of placement, vulnerable sector check. Once accepted as an IWK volunteer, we will provide you with a letter to receive these checks at a discounted rate.

Contact Us
IWK Volunteer Resources
5850/5980 University Avenue
PO Box 9700
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 6R8

Phone: 902.470.6692
Fax: 902.470.8990

***A high volume of emails and voice mail messages are received each day. We appreciate your patience and understanding if there is a delay in our response.

 

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