Volunteering is a great way to help yourself while you help others. At Brightshores Health System (Brightshores) volunteers provide a wide variety of services to support our patients, staff and visitors.
We have approximately 1,100 volunteers who work at our six hospitals across Grey Bruce. Our volunteers give their time in over 40 different areas. They assist on nursing units, work in various clinics, operate gift shops, escort patients and visitors and give directions as well as assist staff in many different departments. Our wide range of opportunities means we can find a volunteer job to suit most individuals.
“The hospital could not function the same without our volunteers,” says Kim McFaul, Brightshores, Manager, Volunteer Services. “Often when people are in hospital, their families are facing stressful and difficult times. Our volunteers are there, offering a helping hand and a warm smile to people when they need it most. We are extremely grateful to everyone who volunteers at Brightshores.”
Thank a Volunteer!
Has your experience at Brightshores been enhanced by one of our volunteers? Would you like to share your story? If so, please send an e-mail to kmcfaul@gbhs.on.ca outlining your experience and include any information regarding the volunteer(s) whom made a positive impact.
Your contact information will remain anonymous. Only your sentiments will be shared with the volunteer(s).
• Give back to your community
• Help others
• Learn new skills and use those you already have
• Experience a new career option
• Add meaning to your life!
• Have two references fill out the Reference Form and then submit it to the Volunteer Resources office
• Are 14 years of age or older
• Have some free time to give as a volunteer (usually 2 to 4 hours per week)
• Be reliable
• Be willing to attend a mandatory orientation and have a two part TB skin test
• For those 18 years and up, provide a recent copy of a Police Background Check, within the past six months of application
Brightshores Health System
1800 8th Street East
Owen Sound, ON N4K 6M9
Phone: (519) 376-2121, ext. 2886
Email: kmcfaul@gbhs.on.ca
The role of a Patient and Family Advisor is to work in partnership with the hospital to create a truly patient- and family-centered care environment and experience.
Patient and Family-Centered Care is an approach to the planning, delivery and evaluation of health care that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among patients, families and health care providers (Institute for Patient and Family-Centered Care, 2010).
Patient and Family Advisors provide important perspectives and have a direct impact across a wide range of hospital initiatives, programs, services and policies to improve the experience of care.
Patient and Family Advisors participate in ways that best match their interest, experience and availability.
Time commitment: Four hours or more per month
Some things that patient advisors have helped us with:
• Feedback on the new clinic design plan
• Signage posted around the hospital
• Patient and visitor handouts
• Communication improvements
• Family presence and visiting hours policy development
• Brightshores annual Quality Improvement Plan
Patient and Family Advisors must be a patient, family member or caregiver of a patient, who has received care at Brightshores within the past two years.
• Send the Volunteer Reference Form to your two references who will submit their forms directly to Volunteer Resources
• Police background check completed within last 6 months (18 years and up)
• Interview with Volunteer Resources and Team Lead of program
• Participation in orientation