JOIN THE STUDENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
PURPOSE
The purpose of this program is to match students with a practicing volunteer member to shadow them while they volunteer at a variety of community health fairs and events across Ontario.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Volunteer opportunities arise when OPA is contacted by external organizations who are looking for a physiotherapist to speak, present, run a workshop or provide physiotherapy services at their event. The goal of the Student Volunteer Program is to link the physiotherapists who are volunteering for these events with a student member so the student can learn more about ways to volunteer through the Association and to gain experience outside of the classroom. An example of an opportunity would include OPA exhibiting at various health related conferences across the province.
PROCESS
If you are interested in the Student Volunteer Program, please complete the form below. Once OPA has confirmed a volunteer for an event, the students who have submitted their information will be contacted by the volunteer coordinator if the opportunity is within their OPA District. Selection will be on a first come first serve basis once the initial e-mail has been sent.
Once a student is selected for the opportunity, the volunteer coordinator will send a copy of the Student Volunteer Orientation Manual and introduce the student to the OPA volunteer via e-mail. The student and the OPA volunteer will exchange information and prepare for the event.
AT THE EVENT
The student will be shadowing the OPA member volunteer to develop skills and experience. Depending on the volunteer experience, the student may gain the following skills through the Student Volunteer Program:
- Advocacy
- Learn that advocacy is an important part of success in the physiotherapy profession
- Preparation for being a volunteer within the profession of PT and/or with the OPA
- Communicating and networking with the public, health professionals and other stakeholders
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Students who volunteer through the Student Program are able to practice hands-on physiotherapy under the supervision of a registered physiotherapist. In doing so, the registered physiotherapist assumes professional liability and is accountable for the care provided by the student. For more information, please be sure to read the Standard for Professional Practice – Supervision of Student Learners by the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.
