Get Involved
"The Iowa City Free Medical Clinic provides support and health care for those who are unable to receive care due to limiting factors such as scheduling and expenses. Everyone who visits the clinic is equally welcomed and treated with respect. The volunteers who offer their time and services are always happy to be there." -FMC Volunteer
Current Volunteer Opportunities
We currently have openings for volunteers in the following positions:
- Medical Student Examiners: Med students who have completed either IM or APB, to volunteer during our Monday/Thursday evening clinics. We hold orientations 1-2 times monthly.
- Physicians: to see patients directly during our daytime chronic care clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A background in Internal Medicine or Family Practice is preferred.
- Physicians: to supervise and staff medical students during the evening acute care clinics.
- Dental: Oral Surgeons, Dental Hygienists, General Dentists
- Spanish Interpreters: Must have previous experience interpreting in a medical setting. Should be proficient speaking both English and Spanish.
- French, Chinese (Mandarin), and Arabic Interpreters: Previous experience preferred.
- ARNP's and PA-C's: to provide direct patient care during our evening acute care clinics.
- Receptionist and Patient Guide applications are currently accepted, but we may not have orientation times available until the fall. Thank you for your patience!
Apply Online
Get started today by filling out our online volunteer application.
Volunteer FAQ
- What volunteer positions are open right now? This changes frequently, so please see the current volunteer opportunities list below. If you apply for a position that isn't currently available, we may keep your application on file and alert you of future orientations.
- I am a medical student. When can I be an examiner at FMC? You must first complete your Internal Medicine rotation, or your Ambulatory Practice Block. We have many M3s, M4s MSTPs, and Doris Duke fellows volunteering with us.
- Who else can be an examiner? PA-Cs, ARNPs, MDs and DOs.
- How often are volunteers required to come in? We ask that you volunteer at least once or twice a month, and that you commit to at minimum of one year of volunteering.
- When will you respond to my volunteer application? Volunteer applications are generally reviewed twice each month. If you have been waiting to hear from us for longer than 1 month, please feel free to check on your application by emailing our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@freemedicalclinic.org
- Why do you require a year-long commitment? It takes staff time and effort to conduct orientation sessions and train new volunteers, so we look for people committed to volunteering for extended periods of time. We may occasionally have openings for "one-time volunteers" during fund-raisers or other events.
- I am a high school student - can I volunteer? We require volunteers to be at least 18 years old to volunteer at FMC.
- Do you turn away volunteers? When we receive a volunteer inquiry, references are checked and the application is reviewed. We receive a high volume of applications, so if we do not have a current need for your skills, or feel our positions are not the best fit for your skills, your application may be turned down.
Volunteering
The FMC would not exist without the help of our talented and generous volunteers. We have over 200 active volunteers committed to our mission, but we are always looking for more help. Orientation sessions for each position differ, and are scheduled based on clinic needs.
Apply Online
Get started today by filling out our online volunteer application. You have the option to start your application and complete it at a later time. Please don't forget to save and submit the application when you're ready to turn it in. If you haven't received a response to your application, you may want to check to make sure you submitted it.
Volunteer Descriptions
Here are some "job descriptions" of our volunteer positions:
Physician
We always need physicians (Internal Medicine or Family Practice) who can volunteer during our daytime clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays to see patients directly. We also host specialty clinics during the evenings on Mondays and Thursdays. Specialties include: Physical Therapy, ENT, Orthopedics, Podiatry, Dermatology, OB/GYN, and others. MD's must have an Iowa license and liability coverage (either private or through the state program VHCPP) in order to volunteer. Our Volunteer Coordinator can help you obtain such coverage. Here is a brief document explaining the coverage options.
Dental
Our clinic has two dental operatories, which host general dentists, oral surgeons, and dental hygienists. We ask these volunteers to come in at least once a month, during our evening clinics on Mondays and Thursdays. Professional liability coverage must be obtained before volunteering.
Staffing Physician
Responsible for staffing medical student examiners during our evening clinics on Mondays and Thursdays. MD's must have an Iowa license and liability coverage (either private or through the state program VHCPP) in order to volunteer. Scheduling is flexible, but we hope you can volunteer once a month.
Examiner
Physicians, PA-Cs, NPs, medical students (M3/M4/MSTP after completing Internal Medicine or Ambulatory Practice Block). Scheduling is flexible, but we hope you can volunteer twice a month during our Monday and Thursday evening clinics.
Dispensary
Pharmacy technicians, pharmacists, pharmacy students. Responsible for filling and dispensing medications under the supervision of a physician. Volunteers come in at least once a month.
Lab
Skilled, experienced individuals responsible for performing phlebotomy draws, dipstick urinalysis, and other CLIA waved lab tests. We ask that you come in two or more times a month during either daytime or evening clinics.
Interpreter
Spanish/English interpreters are always needed, and assist in all aspects of medical care at FMC. Because of the sensitive nature of medical appointments, strong fluency is a must and medical terminology is highly desirable. Interpreters come in at least once a month, usually during our Monday/Thursday evening clinics.
Patient Guide
Nurses, medical students, medical assistants, nursing assistants, and other individuals with experience taking vital signs and basic patient histories are given preference for this position. We generally hold an orientation twice a year, depending on our needs, and we look for volunteers who can commit to two shifts a month for at least a year (during daytime or evening clinics).
Reception
Responsible for checking in patients and maintaining an orderly front desk. We look for individuals who are outgoing, organized, are able to multi-task, and have legible handwriting. Volunteers are asked to come in twice a month (during daytime or evening clinics).
One-Time Volunteers
At this time, we do not have any opportunities for this. In the future, we may have short-term opportunities for help with fund-raising and other events.
Why Volunteer?
Why Volunteer? Here are some things our volunteers have shared with us:
Allison, Medical Student Examiner 2011-2012
"Though I have only volunteered at the Clinic for a few months I want you to know how much I enjoyed volunteering and only wish I would have started doing so earlier in my medical school career. I think you all do a wonderful job and really respect all of the work you all do for the people of Iowa City and surrounding areas. I hope you are all able to continue doing what you do for years to come!"
Medical Student, Volunteer Examiner
"The staff at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic are amazingly dedicated. They go above and beyond to work to provide top-quality medical care and help patients continue to access essential medical services. Their passion for what they do shows in their interactions with both patients and volunteers and it has been a privilege to work with them and learn from them."
Jeff, Volunteer Examiner since 2009
"I am glad that the community feels comfortable coming to seek help for any of their ailments, and I am proud that we have generous donors that allow us to treat the patients and/or guide them on how to use the other resources of the community to address their problem."
Beth, former volunteer & staff member
"My memories of working both a volunteer and staff at the Free Medical Clinic will always be a part of who I am. I was able to see the best in people through the students, physicians, staff and other volunteers who did not just donate their time, but their hearts. I think the Free Medical Clinic is a great example of an organization truly catering to a basic need where people aren't taking advantage of any system but are simply looking for help when they are sick."
