Why Volunteer at WCH?
As valued members of WCH’s team, volunteers are integral in supporting the hospital’s mission of advancing and advocating for health equity and developing solutions for our most pressing health system challenges.
Volunteering at Women’s College Hospital is the perfect opportunity to explore the healthcare field and gain experience in a wide variety of healthcare settings through:
- Volunteer placements aligned with interests and skill sets
- Hospital-wide educational events
- Volunteer training and social events
How to apply
Please note that we are currently accepting applications for the Summer 2025 intake on an ongoing basis and are inviting successful applicants to virtual interviews.
Qualified applicants who applied before then will be invited to attend an online information session. Following this session an interview time may be offered as a next step.
Acceptance into the volunteer program is conditional on the completion of the following forms:
- Two reference forms – References must be from a professional setting, including employers, volunteer coordinators, supervisors, coaches, or teachers. Please do not use family or friends as references.
- WCH Volunteer medical form – Instructions on how to submit this form will be provided after a successful interview.
- Parent/guardian consent form (if under 18 years of age) *
* If you are applying for the High School program and are under the age of 18, please ensure that you complete the Parent/Guardian Consent Form, as you will be asked to provide it during the information session.
All volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (defined as 14 days after receipt of your second dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine).
Volunteer Services
Women’s College Hospital
76 Grenville Street,
Toronto, ON M5S 1B2
Phone: 416-323-6400 ext. 6180
Fax: 416-323-7741
Email: volunteer@wchospital.ca
Hours of Service
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Volunteer Programs
- Must commit to a consistent 3.5-hour shift once weekly
- Shifts are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Must commit to a consistent 3.5-hour shift once weekly
- Shifts are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Must be at least 16 years of age to apply
- Must commit to a minimum of one (1) 3.5-hour shifts a week for July and August.
- The summer program application is now closed for Summer 2025. We thank everyone for their interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: You don’t need any specific clinical or technical skills to volunteer; we match volunteers with programs that best fit their abilities and interests.
A: Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age*.
*For High School students, we accept applications starting at age 16.
A: Post-secondary students who are only available to volunteer during the summer are encouraged to apply for our Summer Post-Secondary (SPS) Program. The application deadline is early March.
A: Volunteer positions are assigned based on volunteers’ interests and skillsets, availability, and hospital needs, and fall into five categories:
- Information desk and wayfinding – greet patients and visitors; provide information and answer general inquiries; provide directional support
- Clinic office help – assist staff with administrative tasks; make courtesy patient appointment-reminder phone calls
- Clinic liaison – assist coordinating patient flow in clinics; direct patients to exam rooms; assist with patients’ general inquiries; stock supplies
- Waiting room – act as liaison between patients and their healthcare teams; assist with general inquiries; provide support/comfort to patients
- Other – provide special project support for various departments and programs
A: The application process typically takes six to eight weeks from the time we reach out to you about your application until you are offered a placement. Exact timelines may vary depending on the availability of volunteer positions and how quickly the applicant is able to complete the necessary paperwork. See above for details on how to submit your application.
For those offered a volunteer placement at WCH, you are required to attend a program orientation session, attend training for your placement, and provide a refundable $30 deposit for volunteer vest and security badge.
Successful applicants are also required to consent to a Criminal Records Check, conducted and paid for by WCH.
You can check the status of your application by emailing volunteer@wchospital.ca.
A: Yes; volunteers are required to provide proof of vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chicken pox). They are also required to complete a 2-step Tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) prior to beginning their placement.
- If you are not up to date with required vaccinations, you are responsible to complete them, along with your 2-step TST, at a healthcare facility of your choosing, prior to starting your volunteer placement.
- WCH does not reimburse applicants/volunteers for any costs that may be incurred for vaccinations.
A: We do not offer clinical shadowing or observership opportunities, and our volunteer positions do not meet the requirements of professional internships. The Volunteer Program offers volunteer opportunities only.
A: We can provide a letter of verification for volunteers once they have completed approximately 12 months and 150 hours of volunteer service.
There are many reasons to volunteer at WCH and also many benefits:
- Gain valuable experience in the healthcare industry in a variety of roles
- Meet new people, make new connections and friends, and give back to your community in a meaningful and important way
- Receive the weekly hospital WCH Connect newsletter with updates, wellness calendars, and fun articles
- Participate in volunteer training and hospital wide events and celebrations