Volunteer at TOH

Volunteer With Us: Help Reshape the Future of Health Care

Our volunteers represent diverse cultures, age groups, abilities, and life experiences. Some are looking ahead to future careers in health care; others are looking back over the rich life experiences that have equipped them for their role as volunteers. Whatever their backgrounds, all our volunteers are working to help The Ottawa Hospital reshape the future of health care.

A volunteer’s gift of time, talent, and energy are invaluable to patients, visitors, and staff.

To volunteer, all you need is the following:

• A willingness to help people
• Some time to share
• A desire to challenge yourself

Commitments and Qualifications

• Volunteers must be 16 years or older (for the summer student program, students must have completed Grade 10 to qualify).
• Eight-month commitment (50 hour minimum for summer students). Cottagers and snowbirds are welcome!
• Most assignments require one shift of 3-4 hours per week.
• The desire to always provide EXCELLENT customer service
• Excellent at working in a cooperative team environment
• Eager to participate in courses and change practices in continuous pursuit of excellence

Timelines and Opportunities

We have a thorough screening and training process. If a good fit is found for your interests and availability, it can take 1 to 2 months to start volunteering.

Please note that for information to be current, we keep applications for a period of four months, after which, you need to re-apply.

Here are some of the volunteer roles at The Ottawa Hospital:

• Wayfinding (Info desk. entrance navigator and Infoguide+)
• Recreational therapy
• Virtual Program (Info desk, courtesy calls, chemo teach)
• Inpatient and Outpatient Units (ED, ICU, Eye Care Centre, Surgical Day Care, Hemodialysis, Cancer Centre)
• Office Helpers
• Wellness Centre Support
• Musical Moments
• Transitional Care (offsite locations)
• Pet Therapy (Pet Therapy volunteers must first be certified by either St John’s Ambulance or Ottawa Therapy Dogs to volunteer at The Ottawa Hospital)

We continue to work with our TOH leaders to develop new and exciting volunteer roles and programs and welcome great new ideas from our volunteers, staff and families.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at The Ottawa Hospital. We consider our volunteers to be very special members of the TOH team, and we are so grateful that you are interested in joining us. 
Unfortunately, due to a large volume of applications received over the past few months, we are pausing our volunteer intake for the time being and not accepting new applications.
When we are ready to re-start the onboarding process, you will find a link to the volunteer application form on this page.

Last updated on: June 14th, 2024