Volunteer Programs

SickKids is currently not offering high school co-op placement. This information is reviewed quarterly and any updates will be posted here when applicable.

SickKids offers a summer volunteer program for high school students, explained in detail below. Students must be at least 16 years old by the start of their placement.

The High School Summer Volunteer Program offers individuals an opportunity to be immersed in the hospital environment for a one-month intensive program in July or August.

This program offers great exposure to the hospital environment, where students can learn about SickKids, the patients and families it serves, and the many services it offers. 

High School Summer Volunteer Program

High School students who are 16 years of age or older by the start of the program (July 1^st/August 1^st) are eligible to apply for the High School Summer Volunteer Program. The program is a great opportunity to be immersed in the hospital environment while earning hours for community involvement. Volunteers will have the chance to learn about SickKids, the patients and families it serves, and the many services it offers throughout the month.

Commitment: The program is an intensive, one-month, five-day a week (Monday through Friday), 3-hour a day commitment for either the month of July or the month of August. Students will earn approximately 60 hours of community service on average by the end of the placement.

Placement Options: Volunteer opportunities are primarily in Hospital Support or Child Life roles, with a limited number of Administrative placements available.

Training: Hospital Support and Administrative placements require a half-day of training prior to the start of the program. Child Life placements require 1.5 days of training prior to the start of the program. It is important you are able to attend the training days as they are mandatory and alternate sessions will not be provided.

When to Apply: Postings will be live March of each year. Make sure to link your profile to the posting in order for our team to view your application.

Responsibilities of Hospital Support and Child Life Volunteers

The specific tasks you may be asked to do as a Hospital Support or Child Life Volunteer vary from placement to placement, however, there are some common themes amongst all of them.

• Assist patients, visitors, and families in auxiliary services (e.g. Family Resource Centre, WAV PlayPark, Information Desk, 555 Gift Shop)
• Greet patients, visitors, and families as they enter the hospital and assist with navigation
• Promote patient and family hospital programming
• Organize and participate in individual or group play and recreational activities (Child Life specific)
• Offer parent/caregiver respite (Child Life specific)

Responsibilities of Administrative Volunteers

The specific tasks you may be asked to do as an Administrative Volunteer vary from placement to placement. Some placements have patient and family interaction while others are in office settings performing tasks essential to keeping the hospital running efficiently. Some of the common tasks include:

• Greet and welcome families and visitors
• Assist with and coordinate patient flow through clinics
• General reception (answering phones, photocopying, faxing, filing)
• Data entry and basic computer work
• Preparing patient information packages and mailings
• Assisting with special projects as required

Research positions are available through self-referral. After researchers send us a request to take you on, we take care of the paper-work. 

Recruitment Period: As requested by researchers 

Length of Commitment: As requested by researchers 

Costs: Approximately $110, including: 

• $20 for Vulnerable Sector Search 
• Approx. $80 for a Two-step TB (tuberculosis) Test 
• $10 T-shirt, as required 

The Adult Volunteer Program is for individuals aged 18 years or older who are interested in volunteering at SickKids.

The program runs in four-month blocks, and requires a commitment of one shift per week for 3 hours: 

• September 1 to December 31 
• January 1 to April 30 
• May 1 to August 31 

Volunteers in this program have the option to commit to a shift during the day, in the evening or on the weekend. Evening shifts are very popular, resulting in limited availability for those roles during each intake.

The program offers three types of roles: Child Life, hospital support and administrative.

Child Life volunteers

Commonly, Child Life volunteers will:

• Visit patients and interact with them through play activities
• Offer parent/caregiver respite
• Promote patient and family hospital programming

The specific tasks you may be asked to do as a Child Life volunteer will vary depending on the area.

Hospital support volunteers

Typically, hospital support volunteer roles support auxiliary services at the hospital with limited direct patient contact. Some of the common tasks include:

• Greeting patients and families at high-volume clinics or departments
• Assist patients, visitors and families in auxiliary services (e.g., Gift Shop, Library, PlayPark, etc.)
• Provide support in family and caregiver waiting rooms
• Provide limited administrative support as needed

The specific tasks you may be asked to do as a hospital support volunteer vary from placement to placement.

Administrative volunteers

The specific role of an administrative volunteer will vary depending on the placement area. Some placements have patient and family interaction, while others are in office settings performing tasks essential to keeping the hospital running efficiently. Some of the common tasks include:

• Greet and welcome families and visitors
• Assist with and co-ordinate patient flow through clinics
• General reception (answering phones, photocopying, faxing, filing)
• Data entry and basic computer work
• Preparing patient information packages and mailings
• Assisting with special projects as required

Additional information

Volunteers are responsible for communicating with Volunteer Resources and unit staff regarding any issues or concerns that arise during their placement and for coordinating with Volunteer Resources around any schedule conflicts that arise. Volunteers must operate within the boundaries of the SickKids volunteer policies and procedures and respect patient privacy and confidentiality at all times.

Volunteers who successfully complete the initial 4-month commitment are eligible to recommit to additional four-month terms if desired. For individuals who choose to volunteer on a long-term basis, the program permits taking one 4-month term off each year if required.

Application process 

Individuals interested in the Adult Volunteer Program must meet the following requirements:

• Be able to commit to four months, once a week, for an average of 3 hours 
• Be able to attend an interview 
• Be willing to have a Vulnerable Sector Search conducted.
• Be able to provide the hospital with documented proof of tuberculosis testing and immunization status
• Be in general good health and able to sit or stand up to one hour at a time
• Be comfortable interacting with children of all ages

Annual application cycle

• September to December: Applications are accepted in the first three weeks of June.
• January to April: Applications are accepted in the first three weeks of October.
• May to August: Applications are accepted in the first three weeks of February.

*An "Apply now" button will appear on this page when our postings open. Applicants will need to wait until this button appears in order to create a profile and submit their application.