What Teachers Need to Know
What schools and teachers need to know about Volunteer Placements at HSC
We're glad you have chosen HSC for potential volunteer work experiences or volunteer placements for your students. We have a variety of positions that volunteers can fill. Here's some information about our procedures that will help facilitate our relationship.
If I contact Volunteer Services about volunteer placements for my students, can you guarantee the placements?
Our role is to ensure a successful match between the volunteer and the volunteer positions we have available at that particular time. All volunteers go through the same intake and screening processes. For example, referrals from work experience programs or from professionals such as occupational therapists, teachers, doctors, etc. fill out an application form, participate in an interview and pass reference checks to determine their suitability for the placements we have available. Because we take our responsibility for patients seriously, we screen all our applicants thoroughly and follow the best practices recommended in the field of volunteer management. Also, certain placements in the Children's' Hospital require a Criminal Records check and a Child Abuse Registry check. We have the responsibility to balance the interests of both the volunteer, our patients and the hospital. To do this, we follow procedures that help ensure it will be a positive experience for all.
Do you accept students needing 10 or 15 hour community service hours?
Because of the time it takes to orientate and train new volunteers in their roles, we accept placements that require 30 hours or more. We appreciate your encouragement of students to apply early in the school year so that they can get their required hours. Our Volunteer Works database system makes it easy for students to regularly track and see their progress with their required hours.
How do I get an application form and other pertinent information to have available for my students?
Our website includes an application form, volunteer opportunities fact sheet and information about Criminal Record checks for volunteers wanting to volunteer at the Children's Hospital. You can print off any number of copies you may need for your students.
Do you come out to schools to speak with students about volunteering?
Yes, we will gladly come to speak with your students. You can call our office at 787-3533 to arrange for a time that is good for your class.
We've had some very successful placements at HSC in the past that are well suited to the programs our students are taking. Can't we set up a system where I can automatically count on 5 placements for my students?
It is helpful for us to know the type of placements that you are looking for and the times of the year when you have placement needs. This way we can anticipate potential influxes of volunteers and watch for openings that would be suitable. We can never guarantee placements as it depends on what shifts are available for openings. Placement availability can change weekly in a large volunteer program like HSC. It is also dependent upon the individual skills, motivations and suitability to the available placements. One of the constant challenges we face is, that there may be openings in one area but no suitable volunteers or many volunteers suitable for an area but no current openings. Again, we have to balance your student's needs with the hospital needs to make a successful match.
How do I arrange for a student to job shadow someone in healthcare?
Volunteer Services does not coordinate job-shadowing requests and the volunteer program is not structured to provide a shadowing/observational/mentoring experience. The priorities of all healthcare staff are to provide service to the patients. Also, patient confidentiality is a consideration. We believe students have a better opportunity to experience a health care setting through a regular volunteer commitment. This will provide them with a good sense of what various healthcare professionals do in a hospital setting. We also remind students to respect the roles and time of any healthcare professionals they come in contact with and to remember that we are all here to provide service to patients.
Who should I call to discuss volunteer placements?
You can call one of our Administrators of Volunteer Resources, Sandy Cairns, Angie Boehm or Evelyn Casey. They will be happy to discuss our positions or clarify any questions you have about our procedures. They can be reached by calling the Health Sciences Centre Volunteer Services at 787-3533. We thank you for your support.
