Why volunteer at MWHC?
The MedStar Washington Hospital Center Volunteer Program is committed to enhancing the patient experience by providing compassionate, patient-centered support. Through dedicated service, our volunteers help foster a welcoming and healing environment, complementing the exceptional care provided by our medical teams. Together, we strive to improve the well-being of our community by advancing the mission of delivering the highest quality healthcare, supported by innovation, education, and compassionate human connection.
Volunteer Opportunities
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Music & Art Therapy
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Patient & Family Advisory Councils for Quality & Safety (PFACQS) *
*Adult Programs Only (18 years of age and above)
Patient Navigators - Volunteers are stationed at our entrance provide patient and family support by offering directions, escorting guests (including wheelchair assistance), and conducting tours.
Patient Comfort Ambassadors - Volunteers round within designated areas/units to offer patients comfort and entertainment items, such as eye masks, ear plugs, crossword puzzles, magazines, and more.
Emergency Department Support - Volunteers attend to visitors, families and patients serving as a liaison between them and ED staff, restock supplies in rooms, round on patients to offer comfort items like warm blankets, and generally assist nursing staff with nonclinical duties.
Inpatient Unit Support - Volunteers round on patients, answer call bells, restock supplies, and generally assist nursing staff with nonclinical duties.
Spiritual Care Support - Volunteers play a vital role in providing emotional and spiritual support to our diverse patient population, serving as an interfaith source of comfort. Training is provided for those who are admitted into the program. (This program requires additional prescreening. Please reach out to tahara.akmal@medstar.net to inquire about next steps.).
Summer High School Student Program - High school student volunteers will spend the summer only serving in a patient comfort ambassador, patient navigator, or inpatient unit support position.
Pet therapy - Volunteers offer clinical therapeutic opportunities for patients, using specially trained dogs and their registered human partners to enhance the quality of care and hospital stay. Offers patient-centered interactions, aligning with their condition, care team guidelines, and individual preferences, upon request. This position requires that you own your own dog.
Patient and Family Advisory Council for Quality and Safety - Volunteers provide valuable feedback on programs, policies, services, facility planning, and other activities impacting patient experience across our organization.
Volunteer Requirements and How to Apply
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Submit an online volunteer application to begin the interview/selection process.
- Commit to one, 4-hour shift per week for a minimum of 100 hours (Shifts are as following: Morning - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Afternoon - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
- Be at least 16 years of age (18 years of age and over for adult programs).
- Complete and pass a background check if age 18 years of age or over.
- Complete two rounds of tuberculosis screening OR one tuberculosis blood test.
- Provide confirmation of receiving the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Varicella (Chickenpox), Tdap for Pertussis (Whooping Cough) vaccines OR proof of immunity via titer.
- Receive a flu vaccine (if onboarding during flu season).
- Attend in-person new volunteer orientation training.
- Complete a confidentiality agreement.
Volunteer Application Process
Application processing takes approximately four to six weeks. Please see below for a summary of our application process:
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Complete the online application. Please note that you will need an email address to complete the application.
- Upon receipt and review of your completed application, select applicants will be contacted via email to participate in a general information session.
- Following the information session, a volunteer services representative will contact you to schedule an interview.
- Qualified applicants will then receive instructions on how to complete a background check, drug screen and employee health clearance. The background check applies to volunteers 18 years of age and above only.
- Volunteer applicants who have completed the interview and have successfully cleared the health screening, background check and drug screening process will then be invited for a hospital orientation.
- Accepted volunteers will be assigned a role and complete role-specific orientation and training on-site.
Volunteer Benefits
- Cafeteria discount worth $10
- Letter of Recommendation
Contact us
Volunteer Service Department
Office: 202-877-2105
Email: MWHC-VolunteerServices@medstar.net