Chinook Regional Hospital accepting applications for teen volunteer program

Chinook Regional Hospital is accepting applications for the Youth Pursuing Ongoing Development and Success (yPODS) program, a teen volunteer program that provides youth ages 16 and 17 with valuable health care work experience.

This is the second year Alberta Health Services is offering the program at the hospital. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible so they’ll be ready to begin the five-month program later this fall, beginning September 2014 and ending January 2015.


The program can accommodate up to 30 participants. Successful applicants will be required to participate in the program over a five-month period for one evening per week. Each evening shift is 90 minutes to two hours in length. By the end of the work term, volunteers will have been placed into a total of five different positions, allowing them to gain a variety of job skills.

Positions may include:

• Atrium Hospitality – Help patients, families and visitors find their way around the hospital and deliver flowers and mail to patients.
• Pediatric Support – Spend quality, one-on-one time with children in the pediatric unit reading stories, watching videos and playing games. 
• Ice Water Delivery – Assist the geriatric rehab, intensive care, maternal-child, and medical and surgical units by visiting patients, restocking laundry carts and delivering water so patients can stay hydrated and take their medications.
• Gift Shop Retail Cart – Volunteers take the cart to various units, allowing patients to purchase forgotten supplies, newspapers, and treats.
• Mealtime Companion – Assist patients during mealtime by helping open up condiment packages and encouraging socialization.

Interested teens are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible. Spaces fill up quickly so apply early by visiting: http://bit.ly/LethbridgeVolApp. For more information about the program, contact Chinook Regional Hospital Volunteer Resources at 403-388-6311 or email volunteer.lethbridge@albertahealthservices.ca.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.