Want to Volunteer in Public Health? Here's How to Get Started

by PublicHealth.org staff | February 13, 2015

As busy as life can be, it can seem hard to find the time to volunteer. But without volunteers to rely on, it's hard to imagine how the public health industry could fulfill its mission. The impact of volunteerism goes far beyond the doctors and nurses who offer their time and expertise to free clinics. Many people who want to help others do not need health care experience to support efforts like educating the public about health and safety issues, answering phones at clinics and health hotlines, or delivering meals to seniors.

Read below to learn more about the many benefits of volunteering—and get started today!

Key Considerations

The most important thing to realize about volunteering is that spending time to identify your goals and interests helps ensure a richer and more fulfilling volunteer experience. Ask yourself why you want to volunteer. For example, do you want to:

Make your neighborhood a better place to live
Learn from people who think about life differently than you
Try something you’ve never done before
See new places and a different way of life
Make a positive contribution with your hobbies or interests

Essentials for Successful Volunteering

Compassion, humility, an open mind, and a positive attitude ensure a positive volunteer experience. You have the best chance for making a valuable contribution if you:

Strive to be well-prepared and organized
Are emotionally stable
Are a good listener
Are self-reliant, adaptable and resilient
Are patient and cooperative
Have a passion for sharing your knowledge and skills

The Time Commitment

If you are a first time volunteer, short-term assignments will provide the best chance to see if the work is right for you. Short-term volunteering is especially valuable if you can make up for an acute shortage of help by providing expertise not otherwise found at the organization. Keep in mind that short-term commitments are not cost effective for organizations that must make a considerable investment in screening, transporting or housing for their volunteers. When you find the right volunteer program, serving for a longer term gives you the opportunity to develop a higher level of skill and accomplish more.

Finding the Right Opportunity

Your time is your most valuable asset, so it is important that your volunteer position is a good fit. As you investigate opportunities, do not limit yourself to a single organization or a specific type of work. Although an opportunity may look great on paper, the reality can be quite different. Keep a few things in mind when looking for the right community service program:

Know what is expected.
Understand the time commitment.
Visit different organizations.
Introduce yourself to the staff and fellow volunteers.
Ask questions to ensure the experience fits your goals, skills, and available time.
Make sure you can enjoy yourself

Local Opportunities

Volunteering is the easiest way to make a positive impact in your community. Here are some of the most common opportunities in public health available at the local level:

At the hospital: Help is always needed in hospitals, and they all welcome volunteers. You could be asked to perform a wide variety of duties, from greeting families to delivering flowers. Most local hospitals could use the help of weekly volunteers to supplement their staffs’ duties, while national hospitals, like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, provide opportunities for anyone nationwide to contribute to their work.
At hospice: Volunteers for hospices are always needed for patients on Medicare and Medicaid, which require volunteers to provide a minimum of 5 percent of patient care hours. Be advised that volunteering for hospice can be an emotionally draining experience, but you may become a very important person a family can rely on. The National Hospice Foundation provides a search tool to find local hospices that may need your time and help.
As a mentor: Volunteer to make a difference in a child’s future. Organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters are great outlets for mentoring. Expect a background check. United Way provides a list of volunteer opportunities in your area on their website.
At the shelter: It takes a lot of volunteers to operate a local shelter. Consider donating, delivering, serving, or preparing food, or helping with administrative tasks. The Homeless Shelter Directory makes it easy to find a shelter near you that could use an extra pair of hands.
At school: Teachers are often underpaid, and schools are often understaffed. Volunteers are always needed for fun, rewarding assignments, such as reading to children, chaperoning field trips, or simply helping with lessons. Expect a background check. Communities in Schools is an organization that works with low-performing schools in 26 states and the District of Columbia to provide them with the resources they need to succeed. You can find which states and schools are part of this program through their state list.
As a delivery driver: Most communities sponsor a “Meals on Wheels” service, where volunteers deliver meals to the elderly. Offering nutritious meals and companionship to people who are often very lonely is an especially rewarding way to volunteer.
At the animal shelter: If you love animals, your local animal shelter is always looking for volunteers willing to walk dogs, take care of the animals and help find new homes. The Humane Society makes it easy to find volunteer opportunities in their shelters nationwide.
On the highway: Check with your state’s DOT to learn the requirements for adopting a highway in your area, or you can peruse the official Adopt a Highway website for more information. Typically volunteers work to clean up litter or plant flowers and trees.
At the community garden: Community gardens offer a bounty of fresh produce, and they are a great way to meet new people and strengthen neighborhood ties.

To read the entire guide to volunteering in public health, click here.