Volunteering - You Can Help
Volunteer Services is resuming services, taking a gradual phased-in approach beginning with the integration of returning volunteers. If you are interested in joining the Volunteer Services team at your local Central Health facility, please read the information below and contact the Volunteer Services representative (a link with contact information is included below). They will advise you on potential opportunities and anticipated timelines for screening and welcoming new volunteers. Thanks for your patience and we look forward to hearing from you!
Volunteering
Central Health encourages community involvement in healthcare through volunteering. Central Health offers a variety of volunteer opportunities in health centres, long term care facilities and community health programs throughout the region.
If you have a few hours available each week and are interested in contributing to the health of your community, volunteering offers many benefits.
The Benefits of Volunteering
Central health volunteers are special ‘rays of sunshine’ that brighten the day of those that need it most. They provide support and comfort to patients, residents, clients and family members who utilize services within our sites.
As a volunteer with Central Health you can:
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Make a difference through personal contribution
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Interact with patients, residents, clients and families
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Meet new people and have fun
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Enhance services
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Gain a sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction
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Share your skills and experiences
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Network with other volunteers and healthcare professionals
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Learn new transferable skills and gain valuable experience
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Earn credits for educational requirements
Central Health provides volunteers with:
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An orientation to Central Health and tour of the facility
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Training specific to the role and shadowing opportunities
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An annual behind-the-scenes Youth Volunteer Career Day at the regional health centres in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor (open to all Central Health youth volunteers across the region)
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A Volunteer Appreciation Event every spring in appreciation of our volunteers and celebration of national volunteer appreciation week
Volunteer Roles
Central Health facilities offer varying volunteer roles depending on their needs and programming. Below are examples of various positions but are not limited to roles across the region. Contact your local Central Health Volunteer Services representative for an intake interview and to learn more about the volunteer opportunities in your local area.
Information Desk Attendant
Volunteers greet guests and provide them with way-finding directions.
Gift Shop Clerk
Volunteers provide excellence in customer service while supporting the health foundations and auxiliaries’ efforts to fund medical equipment, programs and services.
Therapy Dog Handler (in partnership with St. John Ambulance)
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs bring joy to residents, patients and family members at our long term care facilities and regional health care centres.
Drivers and Bus Outings Assistants
Volunteers assist recreation staff with bus outings such as an annual Christmas light evening drive.
Recreation Volunteer
Volunteers provide assistance with a range of activities such as live music, arts and crafts, BINGO and nail care.
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Assistant
Volunteers assist staff with cognitive stimulation activities with individuals who have mild to moderate levels of dementia.
Comfort Assistant
Volunteers visit with patients to see if they need anything such as an extra pillow, blanket, and box of tissue or help setting up for mealtime.
Companion
Volunteers conduct friendly visits and spend one-on-one time with patients and residents.
Events
Volunteers assist the health foundations with fundraising events.
Who can volunteer?
Any individual 15 years of age or older (grade 10) who would like to make a difference and make a positive impact in our healthcare system can become a volunteer. Expectation is a six month minimum commitment of 8-10 hours per month (dependent on role and facility). Applicants are required to undergo an important and efficient screening process.
Become a Volunteer
Volunteering is currently on hold due to COVID-19, therefore we are not recruiting and screening volunteers at this time. However, below is information detailing the screening process for your information should you be interested in applying when Volunteer Services resumes.
To volunteer with the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor or James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre in Gander, please follow this process:
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Please click here for a list of current volunteer opportunities and apply online.
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Following an intake interview, provide reference checks (Central Health will provide the reference check form).
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Obtain a provincial court check and Certificate of Conduct with Vulnerable Sector from the RCMP.
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Complete Central Health's Pre-Health Assessment for Volunteers.
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Complete the free PHIA online course on privacy and confidentiality; attend an orientation and training session.
To volunteer anywhere else in the Central Health region, please follow this process:
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Contact your local Central Health Volunteer Services representative to arrange an intake interview and discuss potential volunteer opportunities.
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Complete an application form and provide reference checks (Central Health will provide the reference check form).
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Obtain a provincial court check and Certificate of Conduct with Vulnerable Sector from the RCMP.
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Complete Central Health's Pre-Health Assessment for Volunteers.
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Complete the free PHIA online course on privacy and confidentiality; attend an orientation and training session.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you have any questions about this process, please contact your local Volunteer Services representative.
We look forward to meeting you and assisting you in finding a volunteer program that is right for you!