4 Reasons to Volunteer in Healthcare this Summer
By: April Sui
For many high school and post-secondary students, March signifies the onslaught of the dreaded exams and final assignments. However, it also marks the oncoming of the un-dreaded summer. This next series from OYMS focuses on the myriad opportunities to explore this summer of 2023
This week’s blog centers on the reasons why you should volunteer your time in healthcare during the summer months. Relish in the reasons you may know already and have never ruminated, and once you’re convinced, don’t forget to view the list of tips and resources at the end to get a head start on your search for a volunteer position.
1. Earn your volunteer hours
The current requirements for graduation in Ontario secondary schools includes at least 40 hours of volunteering. The most rudimentary benefit of earning volunteer hours this summer is you will also be fulfilling your graduation requirement in addition to the various other upshots. You will also be making space on your agenda during the school year for other curricular and extracurricular activities.
2. Contribute to your community
Becoming a volunteer in local initiatives is one of many ways to help your community, and there is no better way to do so than by volunteering in healthcare. Primarily, healthcare is an essential element to any municipality and is needed by all individuals. Additionally, healthcare services provide help for the individuals most vulnerable and most in need of medical and social support.
As such, being a healthcare volunteer means you will not only be helping a significant number of people in your community, including people you may know, but you will also be lending a hand to those who are in most need of support. What better way to make a difference in the lives of others, and in your own community?
3. Gain first-hand experience in the field
Taking on a volunteer position offers you a chance to gain real-life experience working in the healthcare and medical field. In addition to on-the-job experience, you have the opportunity to acquire relevant skills which will likely be of use in your life and career
Patient assistance, customer service, team management and organization skills are only a few of many integral abilities which are best learned and practiced while on the job.
Moreover, the mindset for working in healthcare is something in addition to the skills you have the opportunity to hone when you volunteer. Perhaps less spoken of, bringing the appropriate attitudes is critical when it comes to working in the medical field and providing health services to others. Adopting the right outlook towards the tasks you perform and for those you support can only be refined through first-hand experience in caring for others and in a realistic healthcare environment.
Furthermore, volunteer positions often feature an environment which encourages you to learn and grow, as it is understood that you are volunteering your time to help and gain experience. Organizations may provide training, before-hand or onsite, or resources to ensure you are well-prepared to complete your tasks and that you gain the appropriate skills for the position.
Learn by doing; learn by volunteering.
4. Meet the people who support healthcare
What better way to meet the amazing people supporting healthcare than by working alongside them?
Due to the nature of demand for volunteer positions, becoming a volunteer means you have the opportunity to work in positions in medicine you may know little or nothing about. To begin, this means you can work amongst diverse professions which may be generally less known. Apart from doctors and medical specialists, you can meet nurses, medical technicians, personal care workers, caregivers and various professionals within the field. Even working with other student volunteers such as yourself is a valuable experience.
Who knows, you may be opening yourself up to more opportunities and meeting your future employers, mentors and colleagues.
What to keep in mind when applying for volunteer positions
- Employers may require applicants to have prior experience. If you’re unsure of your qualifications or if this is your first time volunteering in a healthcare position, there is nothing stopping you from applying for positions with simpler requirements and less skill-heavy tasks. Everyone has to start somewhere; you will gain more skills and knowledge with experience.
- Employers may require a criminal record check, especially if the position entails working with children, elderly and individuals vulnerable populations. You may have to cover the cost of the record check. Be sure to do your research when applying.
- Be mindful of location and transportation involved with working the position. Is the position remote or in-person? How will you make your way to and from your work site? What are possible monetary and time costs involved? Will you be working outdoors or indoors, and will you need to dress accordingly?
- Will the position you are applying for actually qualify as volunteer work? Though many employment positions which do not provide pay may be termed ‘volunteering’, there are certain requirements of the organization and the position for the hours you work to be considered definitive volunteer hours which go towards your graduation requirement. Be sure to do your research on volunteer hour requirements and the hiring organization before you apply.
Below are listed some organizations and resources in Ontario you may consider when looking to volunteer in healthcare:
https://unityhealth.to/get-involved/volunteer-at-unity-health/
https://www.shn.ca/careers-volunteering/volunteer-services/
https://www.sickkids.ca/en/careers-volunteer/volunteering/volunteer-programs/
https://www.dosomething.org/us/articles/summer-volunteering-programs-for-high-school-students
About the Author
April Sui is a third-year student in Medical Sciences at Western University in London, Ontario. She’s currently Head of Administration at Hashtag Health Medical Podcast (based at UWO) and a committee member with the International Predental Student Alliance. Bookworm, origami fanatic and French tutor, you can find her on LinkedIn or Facebook.
