Volunteering at Northern Health

Our volunteers make a difference to our patients, clients, residents, and their families every day. They bring a variety of skills, experience, and backgrounds to support communities all across Northern BC.

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As a volunteer, you gain personal satisfaction from helping others, meet new people, learn more about our health care system, and get relevant experience for your future employment or education.

Qualities of a great Northern Health volunteer

We’re looking for people who:

Are able to work collaboratively with health care providers to improve care and experiences for patients and their families throughout Northern BC.
Have a strong desire to help others.
Have excellent communication skills, with appropriate levels of spoken and written English.
Are compassionate listeners and respectful of the perspectives of others.
Are 14 years of age or older (some roles may require you to be 19).

Volunteering at Northern Health graphic

Joining Northern Health

We have limited volunteer positions, and our greatest need at this time is for entertainers and activity volunteers in our care homes. Most of our opportunities require Monday to Friday with availability between 8 am and 5 pm. There are very few opportunities in the evenings and weekends.

Please contact us at volunteers@northernhealth.ca or call 250-645-8520 if you have any questions, or to learn what opportunities are available in your area.

What's required to become a volunteer?

We’re looking for compassionate and caring individuals who can commit to regular volunteering for 12 months. Volunteers are expected to complete one shift per week, and the length varies depending on the role. Generally we ask for between 2 – 4 hours per week.

Apply: Complete the volunteer application form.
Interview: Qualifying candidates will be invited to an in-person, phone, or virtual interview.
Screening: We will coordinate required screenings (Criminal Record Check, reference checks, etc.).
Orientation: You will be provided with an online orientation, training, and site orientation. Most of this is done online and generally takes between 3 - 4 hours. Some roles require extra training.

We screen volunteers carefully because our patients are vulnerable. You can expect this process to take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple months or more.

Cultural safety at Northern Health

Northern Health acknowledges with gratitude that our work takes place on the territories of the Tlingit, Tahltan, Nisga’a, Gitxsan, Tsimshian, Haisla, Haida, Wet’suwet’en, Carrier (Dakelh), Sekani (Tse’khene), Dane-zaa, Cree, Saulteau, and Dene Peoples.

Our values guide us to a commitment to truth and reconciliation. Northern Health acknowledges the harms experienced by Indigenous peoples and the health system. We are committed to new ways of being through building healthy and trusting relationships with Indigenous communities, families, individuals, and employees. We’re seeking Indigenous talent to join our volunteer team and enhance the services we provide for northerners.

FAQs

What skills and experience do I need to volunteer?

This depends on the role you’re interested in. Some roles need more specialized skills. In general, we are looking for people who are caring and compassionate and have strong communication skills.

Here’s what we are looking for:

Ability to make a minimum of 12-month commitment from first assignment.
Consistent availability. The more flexible your schedule, the easier it is to find a suitable placement.
Suitability, interests, and experience are a fit for the volunteer role.
Application MUST be filled out in full with no missing information.
Appropriate written and spoken English language levels.
Candidates who are passionate about contributing their free time to our mission of providing excellent health services to Northerners.
An understanding of Northern Health's mission, values and vision.
Being a health care student, or having an interest in a post-secondary health care program, is an asset.

Can I volunteer for one-time events, or for a short time?

In general, Northern Health does not conduct any one-time events, and we do not have short term volunteer roles. You may wish to contact local health care foundations as they sometimes offer volunteer opportunities for special events. In Prince George, we do maintain a list for volunteers who would be available to help with occasional, temporary projects, however these are few and far between.

Will volunteering for Northern Health get me a job?

Volunteering is not a direct pathway or a guarantee of a job. Volunteering can certainly help you enhance your skills, make contacts, and improve your resume, but it does not give you preferential access to a job.

I’m in Canada on a visa/ permit. Can I volunteer?

That depends on your permit:

We do not accept volunteers who are here on a visitor visa.
If you have a work or student permit, make sure your permit allows you to volunteer. It is up to you to be sure you aren’t breaching the conditions of your permit.
Check that your permit is valid for 12 months.
Check that there are no restrictions that would stop you from working in health care (e.g. “Not permitted to work in health care” or “Not permitted to work with vulnerable people”).

If you meet these conditions, we welcome your application.

Further questions?

Visit our volunteer portal
Contact Volunteer Resources at volunteers@northernhealth.ca or call 250-645-8520.

Volunteer stories