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Developing: Who Can Volunteer for the MRC?

Because the MRC focuses primarily on medical and public health-related activities, many of these activities will need to be conducted by trained medical and public health volunteers. To properly conduct these activities, the MRC also needs volunteers with other skills. These may consist of administrative and other support volunteers who give their time on an ongoing basis, along with other experts willing to donate their time and knowledge for special aspects of the effort.

Possible Types of Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers

Physicians (including surgeons, medical specialists, osteopaths)
Physician Assistants
Nurses (nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse assistants)
Pharmacists
Dentists, Dental Assistants
Optometrists
Veterinarians
Emergency Medical Technicians
Public Health Workers
Epidemiologists
Infectious Disease Specialists
Toxicologists
Mental Health Practitioners (psychologists, substance abuse counselors, social workers)
Health Educators/Communicators
Other Medical and Public Health Professionals
Administrators and Business Managers

Administrative Assistants and Office Support Staff
Drivers
Chaplains
Training Directors, Trainers
Volunteer Coordinators
Fundraising Professionals
Supply and Logistics Managers
Interpreters/Translators
Amateur Radio Operators
Other Support Personnel
Legal Counsel
Financial Counsel
Public Relations Consultants
Medical Supply Experts
Credentialing Experts
Public Health Advisors
Database and Information Technology Experts
Other Specialists

In practice, each community has a different group of volunteers to draw from, and each community needs somewhat different skill sets, depending on the activities planned for its local MRC unit. Some volunteers may have experience working with or living in areas of your community that might differ culturally, socioeconomically, or in their medical or physical needs or characteristics. Including representatives from these different community areas can offer insight into different kinds of community needs and into possible ways to meet these needs.

When recruiting, it also is important to remember that U.S. citizenship is not required. Non-citizens who live in the United States legally also are encouraged to volunteer and contribute their time, knowledge, and skills to protect and improve the communities in which they live.

Why Should I Volunteer?

People volunteer for many reasons, and you will want to understand and appeal to them. Some advantages about volunteering for the MRC you may want to mention are:

It is a way to offer your skills as part of an organized response effort.
It is a significant benefit to your community because skilled volunteers offer services during the year to augment existing public health efforts or provide emergency backup that would not otherwise be available.
It is a chance to belong to a group with a strong sense of mission and purpose.
Volunteers sometimes qualify for special incentives, such as free training.

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Last Updated on 8/21/2006