Volunteer Services at Harborview Medical Center

Explore how you can make a difference at Harborview through volunteering.

Volunteer Services at Harborview Medical Center

Explore how you can make a difference at Harborview through volunteering.

Become a volunteer

Applications open

Before you apply, read the steps to becoming a volunteer.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Harborview Medical Center volunteer. Our volunteers are an important part of patient care and the overall success of Harborview.

Why volunteer at Harborview

Volunteering at Harborview offers you the opportunity to observe firsthand the complexities and rewards of providing healthcare in a large, busy hospital that serves a diverse population, including trauma patients from a four-state region and King County’s most vulnerable citizens. You have the chance to use and expand on many skills here, from the clerical to the interpersonal and everything in between, in a variety of situations. At Harborview, you will see how even a small action can have a profoundly helpful effect.

Who is eligible to volunteer

Volunteer Services offers a variety of opportunities to people 16 and older. The commitment to our program is four hours per week for six consecutive months. We also offer summer volunteer opportunities for students. You must be able to commit to volunteering on a weekly basis at a scheduled time. You must commit to volunteering weekly at a scheduled time.

How do I get started

Below are the steps to becoming a volunteer. Each step must be completed in order before starting a volunteer position. Please refer to this page as you move through the application process.

Questions? Email hmcvol@uw.edu

Steps to becoming a volunteer

Step 1: Volunteer application

Complete your application. Please note:
The application requires proof of vaccination or evidence of immunity by serology (titer) for the following

  • Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) - Two doses or positive lab titer results
  • Varicella (chickenpox) - Two doses or positive lab titer results
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) - Due every 10 years
  • Flu (required October-March)
     

Do not submit your application with incomplete health information. Your application will be denied. There are no exemptions.
We suggest downloading your application before submission to preserve your written answers for resubmission if necessary.

The application will ask you to sign up for an in-person orientation. Please be sure to note this date. We will send a reminder email with logistics approximately two weeks before the event. Please complete all online training and documentation three weeks prior to orientation.

Volunteers under 18 must obtain a parent/guardian signature.

Upon application submission, you will receive an email with the next steps including your unique volunteer ID number, access to the volunteer portal, and required online training and documents.

Step 2: Volunteer portal

Once you receive your application confirmation and unique volunteer ID number, you will be ready to access the Harborview Volunteer Portal via  VicNet for smartphone or web browser. 

VicNet Harborview Volunteer Portal allows volunteers to view and manage their schedule, view or post their service hours, receive messages from volunteer services, download and upload documents, and update their profile information from their smartphone. Find VicNet Volunteer Portal app (free) for iPhone and Android. 

You may also access VicNet Harborview Volunteer Portal from your web browser and bookmark the page for future use.

Watch this video and read this guide to learn more about using VicNet.

To access Harborview Volunteer Portal you will need:

Your email address

Your unique volunteer ID number (provided in email)
First-time users: choose reset password to create new password/account.

Step 3: Online trainings and onboarding forms

Below are required online trainings found on the volunteer portal. Completion of all modules will take approximately three hours.

  • Staff Refresher Training
  • Workplace Violence Prevention Training
  • Compliance Training

 
Upload screenshots, photos or PDFs of the online training completion slides through the Harborview Volunteer Portal (see Step 2). All trainings are available in the Harborview Volunteer Portal.
 
Sign and upload: Compliance Code of Conduct, Privacy, Confidentiality, and Information Security Agreement, Protecting Patient Information Self Study. Please login to your VicNet account for access and uploading abilities.

All trainings and documents must be uploaded at least three weeks before your scheduled in-person orientation.

Find your onboarding documents in the Harborview Volunteer Portal. Download and upload right from the homepage.

Attest you have received and reviewed all forms with the Document Attestation in the Harborview Volunteer Portal.

Step 4: In-person orientation

Orientation is held on site at Harborview. You will choose an available orientation date when you complete your application. Orientation consists of an abbreviated review of the online training and onboarding documents, volunteer logistics, wheelchair safety training, infection prevention training, badging and assignment appointment setting and time for questions and answers. Please ensure that you have completed and uploaded all online training and documentation at least three weeks before your scheduled orientation. Volunteer Services will email a detailed orientation invitation two weeks before your scheduled event.

Step 5: Badge

Background check required 
All volunteers are required to pass a Washington state criminal conviction history background check before volunteering. To complete the background check, potential volunteers must:

  • Complete a criminal conviction history form at the time of obtaining their volunteer badge
  • Submit a photocopy of a government-issued ID (driver’s license, state ID or passport)

If you have any prior criminal convictions, please contact volunteer services at the time of application submission so we can discuss this with you, as it may or may not disqualify you depending on the type of conviction and how long ago it occurred.

Where to go for your badge
Photo ID/Parking Office
Room 1CT 153
Phone: 206.744.3254

Office hours

  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Closed Saturday and Sunday

Bring your state ID or passport. Copies are not accepted.

We recommend making a reservation ensuring a streamlined process.

Step 6: Placement

During orientation, you will have an opportunity to schedule an appointment with volunteer services to determine your ideal volunteer placement. We will do our best to make a good match based on your interests and current availability.

Step 7: Track your volunteer hours

Ensure you track your volunteer hours at the volunteer kiosk or with VicTouch, mobile sign-in: https://www.volgistics.com/victouch/1747/74102642. 

Log in using your volunteer number.