Volunteers to Expand Rheumatology Access

Yes, in many settings, trainees (with appropriate supervision), nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, physical therapists, and others can provide care. Even if the site you are interested in does not currently have non-physician volunteers, ask about this option - you could be the first. 

Yes, as long as your professional license is current. See more about professional licenses below. 

There are many excellent organizations that help prospective volunteers find free care clinics in specific regions. Here are some good places to start:

National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) lists all available free care clinics known to them. Part of their mission is to provide support to free care clinics, and they make a strong effort to keep their listings up to date.
Search opportunities are searchable by zip code, city, or state

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) clinics, most of which are Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Find a Health Center
See HRSA FAQs

As long as you have a professional license in a particular state in the U.S. you are eligible to volunteer in that state. In some states it is possible to get a special volunteer medical license. Many clinics have a credentialing office that will inform you of the specific licensing needs in your state. See Licensing Provisions and Liability Laws for Senior and Volunteer Physicians.

This requirement varies. A clinic may cover its providers under its malpractice insurance or federal programs (under the Federal Tort Claims Act) for volunteer providers. It is a good idea to ask about this when considering medical volunteering. See Licensing Provisions and Liability Laws for Senior and Volunteer Physicians for more information on liability for medical volunteers.

Many clinics welcome volunteers who are available for only several months throughout the year. 

The time commitment for volunteering is highly variable. Some providers volunteer every week for at least a half-day. Some can only volunteer one or two days a month. Some clinics ask that you commit to three-four hours once a week or once every other week. Most clinics can accommodate individual requests. 

Many clinics have a volunteer coordinator listed on their website. Most clinics have a required online application.

Many clinics allow you to select the times and days that work best for you. In general, clinics work closely with their volunteers to accommodate changes in availability whenever possible. 

Many clinics will ask volunteers to commit to at least several months. Clinics are often all volunteer based which makes it very hard for them to have a high turnover rate with short-term volunteers.

Eligibility criteria vary by clinic. Representative eligibility criteria include how much a person earns, lack of health insurance or being under-insured, being ineligible for state or marketplace insurance, or lacking veteran's benefits. Some clinics rely on the “honor system” and simply provide care to those who request it. Patients in some clinics must be referred by a primary care provider but this requirement varies as well. 

The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is the largest organization offering free (or nearly free) medical care. Some free clinics are community-operated, community-owned, and community-financed. The clinics typically depend on strong partnerships with local agencies, a volunteer staff including medical professionals and lay volunteers, and the financial support of the community. Some clinics have a small paid staff to provide the core infrastructure to the clinic operations.

Yes, in some settings, telehealth is an option. The MAVEN Project (Medical Alumni Volunteer Expert Network) connects volunteer specialist physicians with primary care providers. These volunteers provide virtual consultations, teaching and mentorship to community health clinics. When exploring possible volunteer opportunities, ask the volunteer coordinator about telehealth options.

Yes, in some settings education of patients or clinicians is an option. For example, you may be able to volunteer by creating patient information sheets or leading teaching sessions for primary care providers. If you are more interested in teaching or case discussion rather than direct patient care, you can ask about these options.