Volunteering

As a volunteer you may want to work behind the scenes. You may want to join the board of directors, help with administrative duties or work directly with the people helping the health centre deliver its programs and services.  

Benefits of Volunteering
While there is no hard research to prove that volunteering extends life expectancy, there are certainly indications that it enhances personal well-being. In fact, we like to think of volunteering as one of the best health promotion initiatives we offer.

Volunteers have told us that volunteering at the health centre has benefited them in the following ways:

"I feel better about myself when I volunteer. I feel like I am supported."
"Volunteering provides me with an opportunity to give back to the community."
"I have gained valuable experience to further my career. What I have learned and the contact I have made, helped me to find a position that allowed me to use my skills."
"Volunteering has provided me with an opportunity to make friends. I have made friends with the staff, other volunteers and community members who come to the Health centre."

Below are some of the opportunities available to our volunteers. Please note that we recommend 1 shift of about 3-4 hours per week for most of our ongoing volunteer positions. However, some positions vary in time commitment and duration. Also, we are not limited to these opportunities, if you have a special talent or skill that you think we might benefit from, please do not hesitate to let us know by calling Tamara at (780) 422-7333 ext 266.

Board of Directors
Board Member
The Board of Directors is the legal authority for the Boyle McCauley Health Centre. As a member of the Board, a director is a trustee for the community and is responsible for the effective governance of the organization. New Board members are elected in the spring and serve a minimum 2 year term.

Community Nursing Station
Administrative/Program Support
In this position you would be responsible for all types of general office procedures as well as odd jobs at the Community Nursing Station located in the Herb Jamieson Centre. This is a small three person office serving a diverse population of men staying at the shelter as well as in the community. Hours are flexible from Monday-Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

Dental Clinic
Dental Assistant (RDAII)
This position is responsible for assisting the dentist at chair-side and preparing work area for daily procedures. The volunteer will be responsible for setting up for clients, preparing for procedures, lab work (i.e. preparing impression trays, etc.), changing suction traps, assisting dentist with procedures and exams, ensuring that clients are calm and fears are eased, taking x-rays and processing them, and cleaning up work area at the end of the day. Occasionally, volunteers may be asked to use merconvap in suctions, drain and amalgamator, and ensure supplies are appropriately stocked.

Dental Hygienist
​This position will be responsible for providing all aspects of dental hygiene to the clients of the dental clinic. The volunteer will be responsible for cleaning, scaling and root planing teeth, fluoride treatments, prophy, and oral hygiene instruction.

Kindred House
Support Volunteer
Kindred House is an outreach project for women and transgender persons involved in prostitution. It offers a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment for these women. This position will be responsible for making people feel welcome in the house, general home-making duties and assist staff in outreach activities. The volunteer will welcome people and engage in conversation with them in order to make them feel comfortable. Also, the volunteer will provide information to clients, answer the telephone, take messages, ensure coffee is available, ensure that house is clean (includes sweeping/mopping) and organized, and assist drop-in supervisor in activities (i.e. crafts/video night etc.). Some lifting is required.  A volunteer may assist with opening and closing of the house. Shifts are available Tuesday to Friday 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.

Medical Clinic
Foot Care Aide
This position is responsible for providing foot care service to the clients of the Health Centre and its programs. The volunteers will be responsible for clipping and cutting nails, removing calluses, foot massage etc., for clients who are not able to do their own foot care. Foot clinic operates on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 3:30 pm. Hours qualify to be registered in accordance with the AARN.

Foot Clinic Support Person
This person will provide support to clinic staff and volunteer foot care aides during the foot clinic. The volunteer will be responsible for greeting clients after they have registered at reception, seating them in the foot clinic, and start them soaking in a foot basin. Volunteer will coordinate, clean, and provide instruments for the aides during the foot care session. Also, this person will help with the set-up at the beginning of the foot clinic and clean-up when it is over. Foot Clinic is Wednesday afternoon from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.

Shopper/Food Preparation Person (Women's Health Promotion Program)
This position will be responsible for the purchasing and preparing for a meal for the Women's Health Promotion Program. The volunteer will plan a menu, shop for the menu, prepare, and serve a supper time meal for approximately 20-25 women. The Women's Health Promotion Program is Thursday evening every week.

Administrative Support
This position is responsible for a variety of office duties including filing, answering phones, word processing, data entry, and photocopying. Shifts are available from Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Volunteer Application Form

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​Please print the form, fill them out, and mail to:
Boyle McCauley Health Centre
10628 - 96 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5H 2J2
Attention: Tamara Plante
Alternatively, please fax the form to (780) 425-8515, or e-mail at tplante@bmhc.net