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Volunteer at Auckland DHB

Volunteers are a valuable part of the Auckland DHB, often that first point of contact for those entering our service. 

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There are over 400 volunteers’ working across Auckland City Hospital, Starship Children’s Hospital, Te Whetū Tāwera and Greenlane Clinical Centre. They generously give their time, skills and energy to our patients their whānau and families. Their dedication and support are a crucial part of our hospital services.

The Volunteer Centre is run by our volunteer management team. We offer on the job training and ongoing support. Check out the different volunteer positions below.

REQUIREMENTS

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Volunteers need to have a mature outlook, be team players who thrive in a multicultural environment and who are focussed on customer service. Applicants must have a high level of English communication skills, patience and tact. Training consists of an induction course, provision of a manual plus two to three months working in a team before going solo. Ongoing training on 'customer focus' or similar is part of the role.

As the volunteer you may be working in an environment with vulnerable people, so for those areas a police check and two references will be required. 

We ask for a commitment of a minimum of one shift of three hours per week, between 9.00am and 4.00pm. Various shifts are available. This is an ongoing role and we are looking for a long-term commitment of at least a year from the volunteer.  

Newsletters

Winter 2019 [PDF, 1.3 MB]

Frequently asked questions.

If you have any questions, please read our FAQs. 

Auckland DHB Volunteer Positions and Information

See below for more information on volunteer positions at Auckland DHB. Positions with vacancies contain a link to apply.

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    Blue Coat Volunteers

    Blue Coat volunteers work across Auckland City Hospital and Greenlane Clinical Centre. They provide information and assistance to patients and visitors who may need assurance, guidance or a helping hand. They may also accompany visitors to appointments if needed.

    AUCKLAND CITY HOSPITAL
    Auckland City Hospital is New Zealand's largest public hospital and clinical research facility.

    Shift Information (Required one shift per week)


    Monday to Friday  -     9am - 12.30pm , 12.30pm – 4pm, 4pm-7.30pm

    Saturday - 11:00am - 02:30pm

    Apply now.      

     

    Companion Volunteers

    Our friendly team of Companion Volunteers work with patients in all areas of Auckland City Hospital. They engage with patients in group settings and one-on-one, through a wide variety of activities including playing games, arts and crafts, conversations, mealtimes, reading or speech practice. You’ll be making a real difference to our patients’ experience.

    Shift information (Required one shift per week)

    Monday -Friday between 10.30am and 1.30pm

    Apply now. 

    Companion Volunteers - Women's Health

    Companion Volunteers’ Women's Health, are carefully selected to support patients on our Women's Health wards who require long antenatal stays for several weeks or months. Volunteers work either one-on-one or in group activities.  This is a highly rewarding and valuable experience gained by spending time with patients who can benefit from the social companionship, practical assistance and encouragement a volunteer can provide.

    Shift Information (Required one shift per week) 

    Monday – Saturday - 11am-2pm

    No current vacancies. 

     

     

     

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    Blue Coat volunteers work across Auckland City Hospital and Greenlane Clinical Centre. They provide information and assistance to patients and visitors who may need assurance, guidance or a helping hand. They may also accompany visitors to appointments if needed.    

    GREENLANE CLINICAL CENTRE
    Greenlane Clinical Centre is a day-clinic where you will be dealing with day-stay patients and their families.

    Shift Information (Required one shift per week)

    Monday to Friday - 08.00am – 12.00pm or 12.00pm – 4.00pm     

    No current vacancies.

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    Starship Toy Library

    Volunteers provide a service delivering toys, games and activities to children in the wards Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

    We ask that you commit to a minimum of one shift per week for one year, as it can take some time to become familiar with the site. 

    If you can tick the boxes on the following criteria we love to receive your application.

    Have previous recent experience with children.
    Have good organisational skills.
    Be confident, tactful, non judgemental and flexible.
    Be comfortable in a hospital setting.
    Be willing to clean toys and games.
    Be able to commit to at least four hours, one day a week.

    Shift times are:

    Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9am - 12noon

    Apply now. 

    Starship Family Support

     

    Your job is to provide support, orientation and companionship for parents and caregivers. Your contact with the families is by referral and volunteers spend time with families at often stressful times.

    Apply now. 

    Starship Pet Therapy

    Pet Therapy programme volunteers facilitate the visit of specially selected and trained SPCA therapy pets and their owners onto the Starship Hospital wards. The role of the Pet Therapy volunteer is to guide them to the Starship wards, liaise with staff, organise the visits from the children and ensure hygiene is maintained at all times.

    No current vacancies.

    Starship Hospital Grandparents

    The Hospital Grandparents provide care support on a one-on-one basis for children and their families. Hospital Grandparents care mainly for children whose families cannot be with them all the time. They provide care support to long-term patients and children from out of town and sometimes are with children while they undergo procedures such as x-rays, blood transfusions and chemotherapy.

    No current vacancies.

    Starship Play and Recreation

    Working under the supervision of the hospital play specialist, volunteers provide activities in the Starship wards and outpatient playrooms.  Your work helps children cope with the anxiety and stress they may feel during their time in hospital.

    Shift information

    Monday to Friday - 9am – 12 noon, 1pm – 4pm.

    No current vacancies.

    Starship School Assistant

    School assistant volunteers assist qualified teachers in the on-site hospital school. They provide one-on-one help to children in the classroom. Volunteers may assist children in their rooms.

    Shift information: Monday to Friday - 10am – 11.45am, 1.30pm – 2.15pm.

    No current vacancies.

     

     

     

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    Musicians 

    Te Whetū Tāwera is Auckland City’s Mental Health Unit and is situated in the grounds of Auckland Hospital. We are looking for people who can play any instrument proficiently and enjoys sharing their talent and music with others. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in doing and you want to know more email Julie Hagan: jhagan@adhb.govt.nz

    Activity Volunteers

    Can you play chess; do you like board games, what about ping pong? We need volunteers to do just that with people in our hospital.  The Auckland City Mental Health Unit – Te Whetū Tāwera also has two positions available for Activity Volunteers. If this sounds like you, then email Julie Hagan on jhagan@adhb.govt.nz  or call on 021 726 056.

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    Administration volunteers

    From time-to-time, administration volunteers are required to support a staff member or to work in the Volunteer Centre. This role is supportive and requires a helpful and practical attitude. The desired skills are:

    • General office skills (filing, photocopying, data entry, taking phone messages and responding to emails).
    • Competence with computers.
    • Keeping brochures and booklets updated.
    • Special projects.

    Shift information: Flexible, to suit your lifestyle.

    No current vacancies.

    Administration Volunteer: Writer for monthly newsletter 

    This role is to assist the volunteer manager in putting the monthly Auckland DHB volunteers' newsletters together. This newsletter has a large readership within Auckland DHB and therefore we are looking for a person with creative writing skills and experience with page design. 

    Shift information: Flexible to suit your lifestyle.

    No current vacancies.

Volunteer positions with external agencies

These positions are run through external agencies, The Cancer Society, Radio Lollipop, Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy and St John Friends of the Emergency Department. Contact details are below.

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    Oncology Support - Cancer Society Yellow Shirts

    It is a challenging time for those going through cancer treatment. To help make it a little easier the Cancer Society has a team of volunteers working in the Auckland City Hospital Oncology Department.

    As a volunteer you complement the care given by hospital staff, providing support and comfort to patients and their supporters in the Oncology Clinic, Acute area, Chemotherapy Day Stay and Radiation Therapy Department.

    Can you:

    • Give a warm welcome to patients and their supporters
    • Offer patients and their supporters’ assistance to obtain help from Oncology Staff.  
    • Offer basic refreshments to patients and visitors and a listening ear with a friendly chat

    Volunteer Drivers

    The Volunteer Driving Service provides transport to and from cancer treatments and appointments. Our volunteer drivers help people and their families during a difficult time. 

    Being a volunteer driver may only take a few hours once a week, once a fortnight or even once a month. You can choose to drive as little or as often as you like on days that suit you.

    All volunteer drivers are given training and on-going support. A contribution towards travel costs is available.  

    To find out more about becoming a Cancer Society volunteer enquire online http://www.cancernz.org.nz phone us on: 09-3080496 or email us at volunteer@akcansoc.org.nz

    Your generosity enables the Cancer Society to support those living with cancer, fund research and advocate for cancer prevention. 

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    Our chaplaincy assistants work with our professionally trained chaplains to provide pastoral care and spiritual support to our patients, their whānau, and family and hospital staff. Our hospital chaplains are trained professionals. Chaplains respect a person's individual beliefs and will support all people. Our chaplains visit the wards daily and try to see as many people as possible.​​

    Both the chaplains and chaplaincy assistants are employed by the Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy (ICHC). Volunteer chaplaincy assistants must be members of good standing within their church or organisation.

    Training is provided and all assistants work under the supervision of a chaplain. For those considering being a volunteer chaplaincy assistant or those who would like to return to volunteer with our team, please contact our Chaplaincy Coordinator Rev Young Jun You on 021 916 569, email: youngjun@adhb.govt.nz

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    Starship Radio Lollipop

    Radio Lollipop is an independent international not-for-profit organisation. It provides play and radio programmes in Starship Children’s Hospital. Volunteers visit the children in the wards with games and activities and on occasion organise theme evenings and special guests.

    Volunteers must be willing to attend a compulsory information evening which is held twice a year. You must be reliable, mature and have experience with children and be comfortable around them. For more information visit www.radiolollipop.org email nzinfo@radiolollipop.org or call 093773997 and leave a message.

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    The St John Friends of the Emergency Department (FEDs) are volunteers who provide comfort, information, reassurance and non-clinical support to patients, whānau and family while they’re waiting to undergo treatment in the emergency department. The work involves:

    • Listening, talking or reading to patients
    • Assisting relatives and family in the whānau room
    • Fetching warm blankets for patients
    • Serving meals and cups of teas

    If you want to become a Friend of the Emergency Department, phone St John on 0800 ST JOHN (0800 785 646) or visit join.stjohn.org.nz for more information.