If you enjoy helping people and are outgoing, energetic, personable and have a strong desire to give back to your community, consider becoming a Mercy volunteer. There are many volunteer opportunities available to match your interests and fit your schedule.

As representatives of Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines, volunteers must adhere to the same high professional standards expected from every member of the Mercy Family. These include the following:

• Maintain a high degree of patient confidentiality, including refraining from talking about any patient and his/her condition with anyone who is not directly involved in that patient’s care. The patient’s right to privacy is essential and critical. We also ask that volunteers not seek professional advice from the staff.
• Wear a volunteer vest/jacket and photo name badge at all times while volunteering. This identifies you to patients and staff as a Mercy volunteer.
• Make a specific commitment of time to volunteer – generally a minimum of four hours per week is sufficient, but may vary depending on volunteer placement. Flexibility in scheduling is available for vacations and special leaves of absence.

Mercy currently has more than 300 active volunteers, and we’re always looking for more caring, compassionate individuals to join our team. If you’re interested, please complete this Volunteer Application and Authorization Form (PDF)*, Emergency Contact Form (PDF)* and Volunteer Skills Form (PDF)* and mail or fax them to Mercy’s Volunteer Services Department. In addition, if you are under the age of 18, please complete and print a copy of the Consent for a Minor to Receive a TB Skin Test Form (PDF)* and return it with your completed application.

Upon receipt of your application, Mercy’s Volunteer Services Department will contact you for a personal interview where you’ll be given the opportunity to match your interests with our open and available placement options. Selected applicants must attend a mandatory volunteer orientation session and complete a brief health screening prior to beginning a volunteer assignment. Background checks are conducted for each new volunteer.