Questions about Volunteering (FAQs)

If you are interested in volunteering with the Washtenaw County Health Department please see the information on the Volunteer in an Emergency page.

Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about volunteering with the Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) .

MI Volunteer Registry: The MI Volunteer Registry is managed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The site is used to register, notify, and conduct background and license checks for those who are interested in volunteering in the event of a natural or public health emergency. By adding your name and information to the Registry, you are indicating your willingness to volunteer your time and skills in an emergency. WCHD requires volunteers to complete a profile in the Registry. For more info visit the Volunteer in an Emergency page. 

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC): The MRC is a national network of volunteers, organized locally to improve the health and safety of their communities. The Washtenaw County MRC is housed within the Washtenaw County Health Department and serves as the volunteer unit for the department. Membership is currently closed. For more info visit the Volunteer in an Emergency page. 

Age requirements: Volunteers must be 18 years and older.

Time requirements: Volunteers need to be able to work multiple times.

Time/availability: Volunteers need to be able to help in-person. Days and times vary depending on the event or need.

Volunteer Roles: 

  • Medical volunteers: WCHD is not allowing individuals with a recently expired license to vaccinate. WCHD is currently allowing Medical Doctors (including residents), Nurses (RNs and NPs), Paramedics, Pharmacists (vaccinating) and Physician Assistants with active Michigan licenses to vaccinate. Medical volunteers can volunteer for medical and non-medical positions. 
  • Non-medical volunteers: help with event flow and operations (such as traffic control, monitoring lines, registration, helping at the exit, etc.). Roles may be inside or outside depending on the event or request. Non-medical volunteers can only volunteer for non-medical positions.

My license is no longer active. Can I still volunteer? Yes! If your license is no longer active, then you will be a non-medical volunteer.

I can’t volunteer now, but want to in the future. Is that possible? WCHD is not currently looking for new volunteers. Please complete the Volunteer Interest Survey to be contacted if we need additional volunteers.

Vaccination: 

  • Vaccination is not required to volunteer. 
  • Information on getting vaccinated is available on our COVID-19 Vaccination page. 

When will I be able to help? WCHD is not currently looking for new volunteers. Please complete the Volunteer Interest Survey to be contacted if we need additional volunteers. Thank you for your patience. 

Training: Additional details and training information are provided once you are scheduled to volunteer.

Tips for registering with the MI Volunteer Registry: 
**Please note: The MI Volunteer Registry is managed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. All WCHD volunteers need to complete a profile in the MI Volunteer Registry but completing a profile is only one of the requirements to volunteer with the WCHD.

  • To register, press the red “Register Now” button on the right-hand side of the webpage
  • Then click the “Add Organizations” link (it has the orange plus next to it)
  • Next click the plus sign to the left of “County Affiliation” to see the names of the counties 
  • Select the box next to Washtenaw County so a checkmark appears in the box 
  • Then press “Select” in the bottom right-hand corner 
  • Complete the remaining fields. Your profile must be 100% complete in order to advance to the approval stage 
  • If you have questions regarding the Registry, there is a “Registry FAQ” tab on the left-hand side of the webpage