Applications for January are now CLOSED! Applications will reopen for our May term in February, 2025.

Applications are always open to become a Grand Welcome volunteer. You will greet patients and visitors, and provide wayfinding and portering support. You will be the first point of contact for everyone who comes to the Hospital.

For specialized volunteer roles applications are open 3 times a year as follows:

Application Opening Program Commitment Shift Commitment
February May 1 to August 31 1 shift per week for 3 hours
June September 1 to December 31 1 shift per week for 3 hours
October January 1 to April 30 1 shift per week for 3 hours

To volunteer in one of these specialized roles the following will be required:

  • Vulnerable Sector Check
  • Health Review
  • Parental Consent (under the age of 18)

Available volunteer roles are included below and will be filled as needed. Due to previous returning volunteers, shift time and availability may be limited for the roles below. Unless otherwise noted, all roles will take place at KW Main Campus (835 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 1G3).

Atrium Information Desk - providing information and direction to clients and family members coming to our outpatient day procedure clinics, Medical Imaging or Operating Rooms.

Cancer Centre 4th Floor Patient Engagement - provide wayfinding support to get patients to their appointments in our various clinics and treatment areas, engage patients and encourage them to complete important Cancer Care Ontario surveys about their cancer symptoms.

Cancer Centre Child Care Buddy Program - This program aims to support young children whose guardians are undergoing Radiation Therapy at the Cancer Centre. Volunteers will play a vital role in creating a positive and comforting environment for the children while they are waiting.

Cancer Centre Grand Welcome Volunteer - Greet patients as they arrive at Cancer Centre to provide pre-registration support, wayfinding and portering to tests and appointments as well as support patients using Your Symptoms Matter kiosks. Escort patients to various registration desks, ensuring proper patient and work flow according to patient appointments. Monitor patient waiting areas to ensure patients and care partners are complying with hospital protocols (masking, distancing) and ensure there are wheelchairs at the front entrance if needed.

Chemotherapy Suite - The volunteer’s main function is to provide assistance and support to people living with cancer, family members and friends in an essential non-medical role by helping to meet the non-medical needs of the patients while they are receiving their chemotherapy treatment.

Emergency Department - Your primary responsibility is to welcome patients as they enter the Emergency Department to provide non-clinical support as they wait for treatment. You will assist with initial patient registration and are seated in the correct waiting area. Once in the waiting area, working with clinical staff in the department, you will support patients by providing comfort items as needed and advising clinical staff of any changes in patient conditions. You must be 18 years or older to volunteer in this role.

Floral Volunteer (Freeport Campus) - Assist to create floral arrangements from any donated flowers that are dropped off at the Freeport campus.

Recreation Therapy Patient Engagement (Freeport Campus) - Work with the recreational therapy team supporting patients within rehabilitation, complex and transitional care at Freeport.

Gift Shop Volunteer - working with the Grand River Hospital Volunteer Association in the gift shop assisting customers with their purchases.

40 Green St Grand Welcome Volunteer -Your pivotal role involves providing patients with seamless access to the building and offering clear guidance to their appointments. As the point person, you'll be equipped with a comprehensive list of clinics located at 40 Green Street, along with detailed directions and any special instructions that may enhance their experience.

Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) - Volunteers have the unique opportunity to independently perform one to one interventions with patients on our acute medicine units. HELP is a globally recognized evidence based program that supports the prevention of delirium and functional decline for hospitalized older adults. Must be 18 years of age or older. To access the HELP Application Form click here.

ICU - act as a liaison for patients’ families helping to coordinate inquiries with the unit staff as there may be limitations on visiting at certain times.

JW Graham Resource Centre - provides current and reliable patient education material andresearch support to patients and families in the cancer program through an innovative partnership with Kitchener Public Library volunteers will be assisting patients in finding resources including accessing Kitchener Public Library online databases.

Medical Imaging - Support patients in the Medical Imaging department who require a variety of radiology services including general x-ray, ultrasound, MRI & CT. Support staff in the department by ensuring a smooth flow of patients to and from their appointments. Volunteers provide portering and wayfinding support within the department, and monitor waiting rooms for any additional patient needs.

Mental Health and Addictions - Adult Mental Health is looking for Volunteers to return to the unit to support programming opportunities for evening and weekend social programs, particularly on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday evenings and on Saturday afternoons. Ideally these volunteer opportunities would see two volunteers on the unit to run Movie/Games nigh activities to support patient engagement.

Merchandise Sale and Organization - Responsible for organizing, and selling of Foundation merchandise in addition to the sale of 5050 tickets.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) - Provide comfort and promote the wellbeing of babies through cuddling and interacting with patients in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Support families’ needs and help them celebrate milestones to create a positive experience for them during a stressful time. Volunteers, under the direction of staff on the unit, must be comfortable handling and soothing small babies and newborns. Volunteers may hold babies for 45-60 minutes at a time to give them adequate undisturbed sleep, and may also sing, talk, or read to the babies to give them personal, non-medicalized interaction when their families are unable to be present. Must be over the age of 18.

Palliative Support (Freeport Campus) - Support patients on our palliative unit at Freeport under the direction of our clinical staff. Take patients on walks or out to the courtyard, provide snacks or beverages as appropriate. Provide conversation and assistance to patients as identified by staff on the unit.

Patient Registration - Welcoming patients and families with facilitation of prioritization for registration. To be responsible for wayfinding to determine if the patient is indeed in the proper location and then record the name of the patient and place them in order for registration. Volunteers add to the welcoming atmosphere as they are often the first person to encounter the patients.

Pediatric Unit - Support our youngest and most vulnerable patients in our Pediatric units. Volunteers in our Children's Units work closely with our Child Life Specialists and follow important protocols and guidelines when engaging with children and their families. Must be over the age of 18.

Renal Program Volunteer - Volunteers assist Renal patients with transportation up to their appropriate Unit. Once the patients have started treatment we will have you go to the patients to offer different comfort items. In this role volunteers need to be comfortable talking and listening to patients.

Waterloo Wellington Breast Centre - assist patients attending appointments in the Waterloo-Wellington Breast Clinic.

Withdrawal Management Meal Prep - Assist with preparing meals for our Withdrawal Management Program. Must be over the age of 18

Guest Services Cart - The Guest Services Cart volunteer is responsible for connecting with patients around the hospital while selling comfort items and consumables.

You can expect to hear about an interview with a member of the volunteer team by Mid-November. More details will be provided upon registration of interest in one of these specialized roles.

Grand River Hospital Foundation welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the volunteer selection process