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Becoming a spiritual care volunteer

Volunteering at Baycrest

For nearly a century, Baycrest has been at the forefront of seniors’ care and brain research. Today the world recognizes Baycrest as the global leader in innovative care delivery and cutting-edge cognitive neuroscience focused on the needs of seniors and the aging population. As a spiritual care volunteer, you will make a difference in the lives of our clients, patients, residents and their families, as well as our staff, by contributing your time, compassion, energy and skills to the well-being of others, while also nurturing your own spirit.

Spiritual care volunteers

Healthcare involves treating the whole person, including spiritual wellbeing, which can help improve health and quality of life. Spiritual care volunteers are specially trained to attend to a person’s spiritual or religious needs as he or she copes with illness, loss, grief or pain and can help him or her heal emotionally as well as physically; rebuild relationships and regain a sense of spiritual wellbeing.

The spiritual care team

As a spiritual care volunteer you will be joining a special group of care providers consisting of chaplains, interns and spiritual care volunteers who provide education, consultation, guidance and advocacy for religious and cultural accommodation in the healthcare setting.

As a spiritual care volunteer you will have the opportunity to provide limited multi-faith spiritual support based on the core principles of CARE, PROVIDE and FACILITATE. Supervised by the Director of Spiritual Care, you can help improve the quality of life for individuals and groups experiencing emotional and spiritual distress related to changes in their life circumstances. It is a noble and sacred calling.

Spiritual care training program

Spiritual Care Volunteers must successfully complete a 16-hour basic training program followed by on-going individual supervision and monthly in-service group training. Initial training consists of:

  • Two hours of Baycrest general volunteer training.

  • Eight hours of LHIN (Local Health Integration Network) volunteer lay- chaplaincy training and

  • Six hours of Baycrest Jewish lay-chaplaincy training.

Spiritual care volunteers working on the Palliative Care Unit must undergo further training as directed and conducted by the Volunteer Department.

Qualifications

If you are at least 18 years old, you already have what it takes to be a spiritual care volunteer if you are:
  • Caring
  • Creative
  • Compassionate
  • Reliable
  • Responsible
  • Sincere
  • Trustworthy
  • Understanding

Becoming a Spiritual Care Volunteer

For information on becoming a Spiritual Care volunteer, please visit the Volunteer Services webpage and also make an interview appointment with the Spiritual Care Department, (416) 785-2500 x3743.