Volunteering at UHN

Clinical Patient Support​

Examples – Endocrinology, Fracture, Endoscopy, Medical Imaging, Head and Neck Clinic, GI, GU, Transplant, Bariatric, Cardia, Spinal Cord, MSK, Neurology

• Greet and welcome patients and visitors
• Assist with various administrative tasks including photocopying, filing, phone calls
• Assist patients with general inquiries and information needs
• Prepare Exam Room and escort patients to Exam Room

Inpatient Support

Examples – Patient Visiting, Unit Support, Therapeutic Recreation, Wellness, Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy, Palliative Care

• Provide activities for patients – examples include providing reading material, playing cards, board games, puzzles, talking, reading to patients, writing letters, arts and crafts
• Communicate between patients/families and nursing/health professions staff – inform nursing/health professions staff about patients and visitors who wish to talk with medical staff. Keep staff informed of any questions or concerns raised.
• Escort patients for walks
• Provide companionship when requested

Specialized Patient Support

Examples – Healing Beyond the Body, Hospital Elder Life Program, ERAS Program, Spiritual Care, Recreation

• Structured patient-focused programs
• Minimum 6 month or 1 year commitments
• Clearly defined roles and responsibilities
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Administrative Support

Examples – Human Resources, Volunteer Resources, Clinical Administration, Health Records, Spinal Cord, MSK, Nutrition, Outpatient Clinics, Program Support

• ​Greeting and welcoming patients, visitors and staff
• Phoning patients to confirm upcoming appointments
• Filing, faxing and photocopying
• Errands to other departments
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General Patient and Family Support

Examples – Navigator, Information Desk, Waiting Room Support, Critical Care Units, Emergency Department

• Assist with way-finding, direct and escort patients and other clients (e.g., family members, visitors) to different areas in the hospital
• Provide information pertaining to a patient’s visit to the hospital
• Greet and welcome visitors
• Provide activities for patients – examples include providing reading material, playing cards, board games, puzzles, talking, reading to patients, writing letters, arts and crafts
• Assist family members and visitors with general inquiries and way-finding
• Liaise between visitors and medical staff
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Rehab Therapy Support

Examples – Lyndhurst Spinal Cord Centre, Rumsey Neuro, Rumsey Cardiac, University Centre Geriatrics and MSK, Bickle Centre Complex Continuing Care, LTLD

• ​Assist in fostering a friendly environment for patients through social interaction
• Under the direction of the rehab therapist, assist patients to use “low-risk” equipment
• Assist in maintaining a safe and tidy patient by wiping down mats; main gym; changing pillows; returning equipment to appropriate rooms; and tidying walker and weight rooms
• Assist with clerical tasks such as: taking inventory; filing; literature searches; and photocopying
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Mentorship Programs

Peter Munk Cardiac Mentorship, Transplant Mentorship, Prostate Mentorship, Breast Cancer Survivorship, Liver Mentorship, Aneurysm Mentorship, Peers Fostering Hope-Stroke Mentorship, Diabetes Mentorship​, Rumsey Cardiac Centre, Rumsey Neuro Centre

• ​Former patients who mentor current patients experiencing the same diagnosis​

Corporate Engagement | Volunteering

Coprorate teams can volunteer with our Corporate Engagement Pillow for Patients program at Toronto General Hospital. For information, please contact Project Coordinator Veronica Deally​.