Become a Volunteer
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

There are six important steps to becoming a volunteer at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. Click the following links to be taken to more information about each step.

• Step 1: Do you meet the minimum requirements to volunteer?
• Step 2: Choose an area to volunteer in.
• Step 3: Contact Us
• Step 4: Interview Process
• Step 5: Orientation
• Step 6: Getting Started

Step 1: MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO VOLUNTEER | back to top

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

I agree to serve as a volunteer for a minimum period of 3 hours per week for 100 hours from the date I start my service.

Volunteers must be able to pass a criminal background check.
*SMCS requires background checks for all employees and volunteers. The purpose of the background check process is to identify any felony or related misdemeanor criminal convictions that an individual may have. Applicants will be asked to complete a background information and consent form at the interwiew.

Employee Health Clearnace - Certain immunizations required.

Volunteers must be able to speak and read English sufficiently to fulfill their volunteer assignment.

Step 2: CHOOSE AN AREA TO VOLUNTEER IN | back to top

Volunteers will need to choose a 1st and 2nd choice preference department or program to volunteer in. Click on Volunteer Opportunities to view all of the programs we offer.

Step 3: CONTACT US | back to top

If you are interested in volunteering with SMCS, please contact Volunteer Services at 916-733-8329.

Step 4: INTERVIEW PROCESS | back to top

After the prospective volunteer has submitted an application, the applicant will be contacted within 3-4 weeks by a member of the Volunteer Services staff to do an interview over the phone. The objective of the interview is to get general information about why the applicant would like to volunteer and to discuss availability. This interview will also give the applicant a chance to ask any additional questions they may have.

Step 5: ORIENTATION | back to top

Once the interview has been completed, Volunteer Services will send out a referral form to the personal reference provided on the application. In addition, a background information form and Safety Review will be provided for the applicant to fill out. Once we have received all paperwork back from the applicant and personal reference, the applicant will be invited to a Volunteer Orientation. This process can take up to 2-3 months. Our waiting list for orientations can be over 50 people at any given time. If you have any questions about your application status, please contact us.

Orientations are held approximately once a month. The orientations take about 3 hours from start to finish. At the orientation/training session you will receive information about SMCS volunteer requirements, infection control, universal precautions, confidentiality, hospital codes, medical legal guidelines and fire safety.

You will be asked to provide the following health immunization records*

• 2 TB test results (one record must be no older than 90 days and one no older than 12 months) or Doctor's Note and/or Chest X-Ray.
• 2 vaccination records for Measles, Mumps, Rubella (not required if DOB was before December of 1956)
• 2 vaccination records for Varicella (if you have not had chicken pox)
• Hepatitis B record (Required for High Risk Clinical Areas only)

There is a $15 participation fee for scrub top uniform the day of the orientation.

Step 6: GETTING STARTED | back to top

Volunteering may begin once the prospective volunteer has completed the following.

• Attended a Volunteer Orientation.
• Background Check cleared.
• Employee Health cleared.
• Issued a photo ID badge by Human Resources.