Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Snohomish Medical Reserve Corps. 

The Snohomish Medical Reserve Corps is open to both medical and non-medical volunteers. Prospective volunteers must complete a verification and credentialing process prior to being considered an active member. 

Volunteers are not required to live or work in the unit area, as long as they are willing to participate in activities within the unit region. Volunteers are not required to hold any trainings or certifications prior to joining the Snohomish MRC unit.

The Snohomish Medical Reserve Corps reserves the right to refuse membership based upon background check failure, credentialing, and licensure issues of concern and those with a non-disclosed criminal history.

Basic eligibility requirements for the Snohomish County MRC include:

  • Be at least 18 years of age or 16 with parent/guardian consent.
  • Pass a criminal background check and remain free of any serious misdemeanors or felony convictions.
  • Have a valid driver's license and auto insurance.
  • Work well in stressful situations.
  • Have good customer service skills.
  • Work well in a team.
  • Have a desire to serve their community.
  • Be current on required immunizations (Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Hepatitis B, Seasonal Influenza, COVID-19)

Application Process

To become an active member, volunteers begin by completing the following steps:

Complete application packet (PDF download)

  •  Emergency Worker Registration Form - All MRC volunteers are registered as Emergency Workers with the State Emergency Management Division. 
  • The Emergency Worker form requires a traditional or “wet” signature. A digital signature will not be accepted on this form. 
  • Authorization for Background Check - This form provide authorization to complete a background check through the Washington State Patrol. 
  • Assurance of Confidentiality Form 
  • Code of Conduct
  • Photo Release Form
  • Galaxy Profile - Create a profile and complete the perquisite trainings on our volunteer management system, Galaxy.
  • Badge Photo - Insert or separately attach a passport style photo for the purpose of creating your MRC badge using the badge photo guidelines below.

Minor Consent Form (PDF download) - to be completed by volunteers under 18 and their parent/guardians.

All documents need to have either a wet signature or a certificate-based digital signature. Certificate-based digital signature includes a date and time stamp. Instructions on how to insert a certificate-based digital signature can be found on the Volunteer Resource page. If you are unable to provide a certificate-based digital signature, a wet signature is required.   

Completed application packets can be returned to the MRC unit coordinator by email to shd.mrc@snoco.org or by mail to:

Snohomish Medical Reserve Corps
Attn: Catherine Rawsthorne
3020 Rucker Avenue, Suite 203
Everett, WA 98201

Once your application is processed, and your prerequisites have been completed, you will be able to begin signing up for opportunities on Galaxy. The MRC Coordinator will reach out to provide status updates throughout the onboarding process. 

All members are expected to attend a minimum of one (1) training or activity per year to be better prepared for a health emergency and to stay in active status. 

 See the MRC Volunteer Handbook for additional information.

Badge Photo Guidelines

  • Photos should have been taken within the last six (6) months.
  • Use a clear image of your face. Do not use filters commonly used on social media.
  • Have someone else take your photo.
  • Use a plain white or off-white background.

Service Opportunities

No matter what your interest, background, or skill set – there is a way for you to help.  Medical and Non-medical volunteers are always needed for positions. Volunteer roles and responsibilities depend on a member’s physical ability, interest, training, and expertise. It is one of our MRC Core Competencies that you will never be expected to perform a service you are not capable of or comfortable with! Once you apply to be an MRC volunteer, you are never obligated to respond when asked.  However, if you think you might like to help others during a disaster, it is mandatory that you have joined a unit and completed our training requirements. This ensures a level of disaster-related competency while helping people while they are vulnerable.

Impact Teams

The Snohomish MRC prioritizes activities which align with our Impact Teams. Please see the MRC Volunteer Handbook and the Training page for further information on the 4 Snohomish MRC Impact Teams and their required trainings.

Respond to Disasters 

Generally, the MRC is used to support a response later in a situation after the Incident Commander has completed an initial assessment and identified the immediate services that are required. Typically, a Unit Coordinator is then asked to provide volunteer support to our community by staffing emergency shelters that open when people must evacuate their homes. There are many jobs to be done during an emergency shelter operation, including: registration, security, food service, and providing medical and mental health services The best type of person for these positions includes those who are organized, compassionate, able to follow instructions and function independently.  

Administrative or Technological Support 

There is always something to do that involves clerical or technology-based support – such as posting flyers or learning and assist in training our database systems. The best type of person for these positions includes those who are organized, able to follow instructions and function independently.

Have a Specialized Skill? 

Most likely there is something you can do to help. We invite you to share your passion with the Medical Reserve Corps!