Are you thinking of a career in Healthcare?
The Step Up Youth Program offers high school students aged 14-18 an opportunity to “Step Up, and….”
-C.A.R.E. (practice Island Health’s C.A.R.E. values – Courage, Aspire, Respect, Empathy)
–Learn about healthcare, mentoring for clinical and non-clinical careers
-Lead by leading programs and activities, creating new programs
The Step Up Youth Program is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the medical community allowing you to see many of the different positions in a hospital and if a career in medicine is for you!
Volunteer shifts typically run 2 hours centring around:
- Admin Support
- Discharge Program
- Musical Entertainment
- Social Support
- Special Events
Applications are now open! The Step Up Youth volunteer program is designed to support youth who are interested in learning about a career in healthcare.
Priority will be given to youth who participated in our virtual program, and we are recruiting for a limited number of volunteer positions for the following Island Health Facilities:
- Saanich Peninsula Hospital, Saanichton
- Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria
- The Summit (Long-Term Care), Victoria
- Volunteer shifts run from September – April each year, with a commitment of one 2-hour shift per week. Shifts take place after school hours or on weekends. Please review the site schedules here before applying to ensure your availability aligns with the program in your area.
- The volunteer shift involves spending time in hospitals and/or long-term care homes to provide social engagement support to patients and residents. Through this important role, volunteers enrich the experience of patients and residents through the gift of time, empathy, and companionship.
- Volunteers are also invited to participate in a virtual monthly Guest Speaker series and are eligible to apply for Scholarships and Bursaries offered by Island Health (funding dependent).
- Application to the program does not guarantee acceptance as we receive more applications than available positions.
- The deadline to apply is May 15th at 4 pm.
Please check the Island Health website for updates and the link to the application.
See Samantha if you have questions about the application for this program; it is an in-depth process.
Links from the Brochure
UBC Clinical Skills Volunteer Patient Program
Lynn Mockler, BSN MA, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Volunteer Patients are members of the general public who donate their time to assist first and second-year medical students in learning and practicing history-taking and hands-on physical exam skills. Over 350 volunteers take part in the Clinical Skills program at the VFMP site, ranging in age from 6 to 84. Some have been volunteering for many years, but new volunteers are welcomed every academic year.
Unlike standardized patients who are trained to “act” a role, Volunteer Patients present as themselves. Most are healthy people who participate in the students’ first interviews, first abdominal, cardiac, and respiratory exams, first pediatric exams. Others have ongoing medical conditions and help the students further develop their skills as they learn to identify physical findings that deviate from the normal. The Clinical Skills sessions last between 1 and 3 hours and the majority are held at the Diamond Health Care Centre. Some volunteers kindly travel to teaching sessions held at other sites, like St. Paul’s, Royal Columbian, and Lion’s Gate hospitals.
The reasons for volunteering are as varied as the volunteers themselves. Many have received excellent medical care and find the program to be a good way to give back. Some are young people who hope to be medical students themselves one day. Volunteers like Janet, a nurse, appreciate the opportunity to help educate students about their medical condition. Like most volunteers, Eric, a retired engineer, finds the experience mutually beneficial, “Being with these intelligent young people is very good for me too. I learn a lot, know a lot more about my own medical condition.” What all of the volunteers have in common is a rewarding experience that is greatly appreciated by the UBC medical students, faculty, and staff.
Volunteer Patients make a unique and valuable contribution to the education of our future doctors. For further information about the Volunteer Patient Program hxpe.patients@ubc.ca or volunteer.patients@ubc.ca
You will have the opportunity to enjoy the rewards of learning new skills, being part of an interdisciplinary team, building new friendships, and sharing your skills and gifts to brighten someone’s day. Volunteers range from family members to community members to neighbours and seniors themselves. Residents welcome our volunteers’ effort and eagerness to be a part of their lives.
Volunteers make a difference
If you have the time to give and are passionate about enriching the lives of seniors, we would welcome you to volunteer at one of our AgeCare Communities.
In Person
Interested in volunteering in person supporting activities, companionship, or providing entertainment? Apply or learn more on our BetterImpact Volunteer portal.
Virtual
We are not currently recruiting for virtual volunteer opportunities.