Overview
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Volunteer Orientation Overview
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VOLUNTEER OPPPORTUNITIES
AT WHITMAN-WALKER CLINIC

Volunteer Opportunities At-A-Glance

AIDS SUPPORT SERVICES

  • Bodyworker*
  • Client Monitor

CLINIC WIDE

  • On-Call Daytime Administrative Corps
  • On-Call Interpreter/Translator

FOODBANK

  • Donation Pick-Up
  • Office Assistant
  • Shopkeeper
  • Stocker

LEGAL SERVICES

  • Attorney*

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

  • HIV Counselor*
  • Safer Sex Kit Assembler
  • Street Outreach Volunteer
  • Support Group Facilitators

MEDICAL SERVICES

  • Chart Room (Administrative) Volunteer
  • Dental Assistant *
  • Dentist*
  • Dermatologist*
  • HIV Counselor*
  • Nurse*
  • Physician*
  • Physician Assistant*
  • Psychiatrist*

GAY MEN'S PEER SUPPORT GROUPS

  • Group Co-Facilitator
 

* These positions require proof of professional licensure or certification.
Individuals must have previously completed all necessary professional training.

Spanish speakers are much needed throughout all of our programs.

AIDS Support Services

Bodyworker*
Description:
Provide massage to HIV/AIDS clients.
Special Qualifications: Professional Massage Therapist (PMT) or PMT in training with 300 hours or more of training and working towards certification. Other modalities should be certified by their respective boards/governing bodies. Licensed, certified or ability to verify completion of 300+ hours of a 500-hour course of study.
Training: Program-specific training will be provided.
Hours: One day per month, flexible—Monday-Saturday (morning, afternoon or evening shifts)
Location: Downtown campus and Max Robinson Center
Minimum Commitment: Internship length for students, six months for professionals

Bridgeback Client Monitor
Description:
The Bridgeback program is a 90-day residential drug/alcohol treatment program. The client monitor would be responsible for monitoring clients while staff is in meetings, answering the phone, and other light administrative duties as needed.
Special Qualifications: Awareness of confidentiality; ability to monitor clients for two-three hours.
Training: n/a
Hours: Tuesdays, 2-5 p.m.
Minimum Commitment: Six months

Clinic Wide

Interpreter/Translator
Description:
Provide interpretation for WWC clients, volunteers and staff or translation of documents/brochures taking great care to render the message faithfully, always conveying the content and spirit of the speaker/written word, using the language most readily understood by the person(s) being served. Interpretation services may be needed during client visits with service providers, general orientation, basic training, etc.
Special Qualifications: Must have a strong sense of professionalism, be willing to keep all assignment-related information in the strictest of confidence, not interject personal opinions into interpreted situations; be comfortable interacting with LGBT and HIV-positive individuals and with translating explicit/graphic language or street jargon (i.e., words related to sex, anatomy, sexual orientation, etc.). Those fluent in Spanish, Amharic or American Sign Language are particularly encouraged to apply but all others are welcome. Prefer those with formal training/certification and affiliation/membership in recognized professional associations.
Training: Program-specific training will be provided
Hours: Vary based on need
Location: All sites
Minimum Commitment: Six months

On-Call Daytime Administrative Corps
Description:
Assist various offices around WWC with special projects and a variety of general administrative tasks (fielding phone calls, filing, photocopying, record keeping, billing insurance companies, assembling packets, data entry, registering clients for Clinic services, and assisting staff members with special projects, etc.) Note: Volunteers will be placed on a list for staff to contact. If assistance is needed, a supervisor will contact corps volunteers to see who is available to help out.
Special Qualifications: Excellent interpersonal/communication/writing skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint), detail-orientation and strong organizational skills. Desire to work irregularly with different departments.
Training: Program-specific training will be provided
Hours: Flexible- weekdays, daytime
Location: All sites; all departments
Minimum Commitment: Six months

FoodBank

Instructions: Those interested in the FoodBank, should list it on their application and then report to 1816 14th St., N.W., during FoodBank hours: Mon./Tues./Thurs. from 7-8:30 p.m., Wed. from 12-2 p.m., Sat. from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. for an orientation.

Donation Pick-Up
Description:
Retrieve donations from various collection points throughout the area and deliver them to the FoodBank.
Special Qualifications: n/a
Training: Program-specific training will be provided
Hours: Vary
Location: Downtown campus and suburban Maryland
Minimum Commitment: Six months

Office Assistant
Description:
Assist with clerical tasks such as data entry, correspondence and processing referrals.
Special Qualifications: n/a
Training: Program-specific training will be provided
Hours: Weekday mornings or afternoons
Location: Downtown campus
Minimum Commitment: Six months

Shopkeeper
Description:
Serve FoodBank clients.
Special Qualifications: n/a
Training: Program-specific training will be provided.
Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, 12 p.m.-2 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location: Downtown campus
Minimum Commitment: Six months

Stocker
Description:
Keep track of food supplies, order and pick up new stock as needed.
Special Qualifications: n/a
Training: Program-specific training will be provided.
Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, 12 p.m.-2 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location: Downtown campus
Minimum Commitment: Six months

Legal Services

Attorney*
Description:
Provide basic legal services to clients with HIV. Assist clients with legal problems relating to employment discrimination, insurance, debt, child custody, confidentiality, immigration, and estate planning matters. Licensed attorneys (in D.C., Md. or Va.).
Special Qualifications: Must be licensed to practice law in volunteer jurisdiction.
Training: Program-specific training will be provided
Hours: Mondays, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (downtown campus) second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (Northern Virginia).
Location: Downtown campus and Northern Virginia (Arlington).
Minimum Commitment: Two to four cases per year.

Medical Services

Chart Room (Administrative) Volunteer
Description:
Assist in filing confidential documents in client charts, thinning charts, quality assurance, and occasional administrative duties.
Special Qualifications:
Attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and prior filing experience.
Training:
NA
Hours:
Weekdays, mornings or afternoons
Location:
Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, downtown campus
Minimum Commitment:
One month (or longer preferred).

Dental Assistant*
Description:
Provide dental services to HIV-positive persons.
Special Qualifications: Licensed dental assistant in D.C., Md., or Va.
Training: n/a
Hours: Weekday mornings, afternoons, or evenings
Location: Downtown campus, Max Robinson Center or volunteer's private practice (if located in suburban Maryland or Northern Virginia).
Minimum Commitment: Six months

Dentist*
Description:
Provide dental services to HIV-positive persons.
Special Qualifications: Licensed dentist in D.C., Md., or Va.
Training: n/a
Hours: Weekday mornings, afternoons, or evenings
Location: Downtown campus, Max Robinson Center or volunteer's private practice (if located in suburban Maryland or Northern Virginia).
Minimum Commitment: Six months

Dermatologist*
Description:
Provide a variety of specialty services for HIV Clinic, Gay Men's Health & Wellness Clinic, Transgender Health Clinic or the Lesbian Health Center clients.
Special Qualifications: Must be licensed in D.C., Md., or Va. (or another state & eligible for D.C. license)
Training: n/a
Hours: Weekday mornings, afternoons or evenings.
Location: All
Minimum Commitment: Six months

HIV Counselor*
Description:
Provide HIV pre- and/or post-test counseling to clients of the Gay Men’s Health & Wellness Clinic. HIV Counselor will also administer the OraQuick Advance Rapid test.
Special Qualifications:
HIV Counselor MUST be certified in HIV pre- and post-test counseling, and/or administering the OraQuick Advance Rapid Test.
Training:
n/a
Hours:
Thursdays Evenings, 6-9 p.m.
Location:
Downtown campus
Minimum Commitment:
Six months

Nurse*
Description:
Provide a variety of nursing services for Lesbian Health Clinic.
Special Qualifications: R.N. or L.P.N. in D.C., or another state and eligible for D.C. license
Training: n/a
Hours: Tuesday or Thursday evenings
Location: Downtown campus
Minimum Commitment: Six months

Physician*
Description:
Provide a variety of medical and diagnostic services for HIV Medical Clinic, Gay Men's Health & Wellness Clinic, Transgender Health Clinic, or the Lesbian Health Center clients.
Special Qualifications: Licensed or certified physician in D.C., Md. or Va.
Training: n/a
Hours: All
Location: Downtown campus, Max Robinson Center and Northern Virginia
Minimum Commitment: Six months

Physician Assistant*
Description:
Provide a variety of medical and diagnostic services for HIV Clinic, Gay Men's Health & Wellness Clinic, Transgender Health Clinic, or the Lesbian Health Center clients.
Special Qualifications: Licensed or certified physician assistant in D.C., Md. or Va.
Training: n/a
Hours: All
Location: Downtown campus, Max Robinson Center and Northern Virginia
Minimum Commitment: Six months

Psychiatrist*
Description:
Provide specialty services for HIV Clinic, Gay Men's Health & Wellness Clinic, Transgender Health Clinic, or the Lesbian Health Center clients.
Special Qualifications: Must be licensed in D.C., Md., or Va. (or another state & be eligible for D.C. license).
Training: n/a
Hours: Weekday mornings, afternoons or evenings.
Location: All
Minimum Commitment: Six months

Northern Virginia

HIV Counselor*
Description:
HIV counselor—with the health educator—will provide HIV pre- and/or post-test counseling to members of the target population. HIV counselor will also administer the antibody test to members of the target population, if s/he is certified to do so (again, with the health educator).
Special Qualifications: HIV counselor MUST be certified in HIV pre- and post-test counseling, and/or administering the Orasure HIV antibody exam.
Training: n/a
Hours: Flexible hours, Thursdays between 10am-5pm.
Location: Testing conducted at the WWC-NOVA Clinic. The Volunteer counselor may be asked to conduct testing during outreach on an as-needed basis.
Minimum Commitment: Six months

Safer Sex Kit Assembler
Description:
The assembler is responsible for preparing Safer Sex Kits for street outreach and special events. The assembler will work closely with the health educator regarding the types and amount of materials going in the Safer Sex Kits. The assembler will also work with the health educator to order materials for the Safer Sex Kits.
Special Qualifications: n/a
Training: n/a
Hours: Any available hours between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Location: WWC—NOVA, 5232 Lee Highway, Arlington, Va.
Minimum Commitment: Six months

Street Outreach
Description:
Street outreach volunteer—with the health educator—will provide HIV prevention materials and information to African-American men who are same-gender-loving and/or injecting drug users. Street outreach volunteer will also identify outreach locations where the target population congregates.
Special Qualifications: Training and/or previous experience in conducting street outreach.
Training: n/a
Hours: Flexible hours, depending on day and time of outreach.
Location: Street outreach volunteer will accompany health educator on outreach sites.
Minimum Commitment: Six months

Support Group Facilitators
Description:
The group facilitator provides leadership, guidance and direction to support groups held at WWC-NOVA. The facilitator is responsible for monitoring and guiding the content and process of the group experience, introducing topics, providing feedback, circulating attendance lists and completing group progress notes for all sessions.
Special Qualifications: Must be at least 21 years of age. Have a minimum of one year experience as a group facilitator. Must be familiar with Northern Virginia jurisdictions and various ethnic communities.  Recognize the challenges of HIV/AIDS as a chronic illness and the issues faced by the GLBT community. Counseling coursework, specifically in group psychotherapy, is highly desirable. Spanish-speaking is desirable, but not necessary.  Experience as a participant in a group is encouraged.
Training: n/a
Hours: Most groups are held in the early evening between 5:00 – 8:00 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Each group runs for 90 minutes. Approximately 30 additional minutes should be scheduled for group progress notes
Location: WWC-NOVA – Arlington, VA
Minimum Commitment: Six months

Gay Men's Peer Support Groups

Description: To guide and advance group interaction while ensuring that participants maintain respectful and accepting behaviors and attitudes toward each other.
Special Qualifications: COMPLETION OF WWC GROUP FACIITATOR TRAINING (one-day program; conducted quarterly); A facilitator should possess life experience that enables him to understand and offer guidance to the group in exploring the topic and seeking effective strategies for meeting and overcoming challenges members may identify. 
Detailed Responsibilities: The facilitator DOES NOT give answers.  GROUP MEMBERS AS INDIVIDUALS use the group experience as a conduit through which each participant seeks to find the idea, answers and strategies that seem best suited to him and his situation.

For each group topic, there is a set of “topic suggestions” designed to assist the facilitators in guiding the group and providing direction for discussions.  However, the focus and interests of the participants take precedence over these suggestions.

Facilitators are supported by WWC guidelines for “emergency situations” and have access to professional support and guidance from WWC staff whenever such backup is needed of desired.

CURRENT GROUPS INCLUDE (topics may be added in the future)

  • “Coming Out”
  • “Gay Men of Color”
  • “Gay Men Over 50(ish)”
  • “Gay,  Lesbian & Bisexual Veterans

Hours: Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday evening – one night/week
90 Minute Sessions – Start @ 6:00 PM or later – End by 9:00 PM
Schedule set to fit participant and facilitator availability
Date and times remain constant for all 12 weeks of program
Location:
Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, 1701 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC
Minimum Commitment: 12 Weekly sessions (for groups whose term includes major holidays, 12 sessions may span more than 12 consecutive weeks).
Supervised by: Steve Geishecker, Director of Behavioral Health;
Randy Pumphrey, Manager of MHAS, ETMC;
Mark Fischer, Volunteer Coordinator, GMPSG.

NOTE:  Individuals seeking clinical internships or practicums should contact the appropriate department directly.