Getting Started as a General Volunteer

Onboarding for General Volunteers begins almost two full months in advance to ensure everyone is cleared before, and occasionally after pending approval, orientation.

Step 1: Express interest

Express your interest in volunteering at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) by sending the following information via email to bwhvcas@partners.org:

• Subject Line: Interest in volunteering at BWH
• Your name
• Contact information (daytime phone number and email address)
• Brief description of volunteer interests

Once your email is received, you will be added to the waitlist until the next application cycle begins and given the online volunteer application link.

Step 2: Sign up for General Volunteer Virtual Interview

Once you have completed the General Volunteer application, please reach out to the volunteer coordinator (aalmeida6@mgb.org) to schedule the first (virtual) interview.

Interviews are held virtually on the second week of each month. During the first (virtual) interview, the applicant and volunteer coordinator will go through an overview of both General Volunteer Program and the onboarding process. During this interview, the volunteer coordinator will also provide more information on the placements we are currently offering. Volunteers are placed in departments based on the needs of the hospital, as well as their skillset and current availability.

Step 3: Attend the General Volunteer Virtual Orientation

Attend the virtual orientation that you registered for with the volunteer coordinator. The Virtual Orientation will be held on a monthly basis (on the first Wednesday of each month) from 3:00-5:00 PM.

• Some volunteers may not be cleared in onboarding system by orientation as onboarding takes about 1.5 months, which will delay their start date
• After attending the virtual orientation, you will receive an email with information outlining the remaining onboarding tasks including links you will need to refer back to once you are cleared
• Note: You MUST be fully cleared by occupational health before starting volunteer shifts

Step 4: Attend required in-person check in

After you have attended the virtual orientation, the next step is to complete the preboarding journey in Beeline (if you haven’t already) and get cleared by Occupational Health. Once you have received an email stating that you have been cleared, use the link provided by the volunteer coordinator to schedule your in-person check in for final steps. The link will be provided to you after you have attended the virtual orientation.

Step 5: Begin volunteering

Once you are cleared by Occupational Health and your badge has been printed, you will be all set to start your volunteer shifts.