Clinic by the Bay is
Volunteer-Powered

At Clinic by the Bay, volunteers are essential to our mission and operations. Not only does Clinic by the Bay offer equitable health care, we also provide an opportunity for meaningful civic engagement and multi-generational learning.  More than half of our operating budget is received through the in-kind services of our volunteer staff. We engage retired and practicing medical professionals, medical students, and folks with various expertise as volunteers to provide compassionate, high-quality health care for low-income, uninsured adults in our community.

Often in the healthcare field, medical staff are limited by what care the patient can afford. However at Clinic by the Bay, our volunteers practice the art of medicine, rather than the business of healthcare.  Our model also allows for medical students to learn from the vast combined experience of our retired doctors and nurses as the students support and work alongside them as receptionists, scribes, interpreters, prescription assistants and in other essential clinic roles.

Volunteer Requirements

    • Be at least 18 years of age or older

    • Be able to commit to a minimum of six consecutive months

    • For the first 3 months of training, be able to commit to two volunteer shifts per month. Each shift of 4 hours.

    • After training period, be able to commit to at least one shift per month.

    • Be able to commit to three in-person training shifts

    • Be able to provide proof of a completed Tuberculosis test taken within the last six months

    • Be able to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

    • No special knowledge or experience is needed for many positions including receptionists, prescription assistants, community outreach and other roles. View the application for more info on available roles.

    • Licensed medical providers: please submit a current copy of their valid California license and agree to a background check. Click here for application

    • Licensed nurses: please submit a current copy of their valid California license. Click here for application

FAQs

    • Yes! Individuals without certifications or licenses can get involved in our Non-Clinical Roles or participate in our Food Pharmacy.

    • Medical Clinic: A valid and current CNA/EMT/Phlebotomy/MA’s license is required to volunteer in any patient facing roles other than medical reception, medical scribing, or medical interpretation.

    • Dental Clinic: Current CPR BLS (with hands on assessment) certification, Recent California Board of Dentistry Approved Infection Control Course, and Recent California Board of Dentistry Approved Dental Practice Act Course is required to be an unlicensed dental assistant

    • Mon/Wed/Fri: 10:30am-4:30pm (non-clinical days, with admin focus)

    • Tues: 11:30am-8pm (clinic day)

    • Wed: 9:30am-6pm (dental clinic day)

    • Thurs: 9:30am-6pm (medical & dental clinic day)

    • Every other Saturday: 9:30am-12:30pm (Food Pharmacy days)

    • Unfortunately not. All our volunteer roles are in person at 35 Onondaga Ave, San Francisco.

    • Check our application deadline and orientation date countdown to determine a general timeline. Once you attend orientation, you can expect to begin volunteering within a month. Timeline is dependent on the submission of volunteer documentation and completion of training within a timely manner. If you are a clinical volunteer, your onboarding process might be slightly longer, including an extra interview with our Clinic Manager.

Volunteer Opportunities