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FAQ: Volunteering

General information

I don’t have the COVID-19 vaccine. Can I volunteer? 

  • Clinic policy requires that all patients, staff, volunteers, and providers are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. If you need a COVID vaccine, please call the clinic at (401) 347-9093. 

  • More information about the most up to date COVID-19 vaccine guidelines can be found HERE.

 

Information about vaccines & PPD tests

  • Flu, COVID-19, Hepatitis B, MMR, and Varicella vaccines are available at primary care offices, urgent care facilities, pharmacies, and campus health centers. These vaccines are available at the clinic, but it is recommended that volunteers call first to check availability.

  • PPD tests are available at primary care offices, urgent cares, pharmacies, and some campus health centers. CEHC has PPD testing available, but we ask that you try your PCP's office or campus health center before getting your PPD at the clinic.

  • QuantiFERON blood tests can be used in place of a PPD if you have had the BCG vaccine. QuantiFERON tests are not available at CEHC.

  • If you've had TB in the past and have undergone treatment, a letter from your PCP and a negative chest x-ray from the last 10 years can be submitted in lieu of a PPD or blood test.

 

Information about BCIs 

  • Rhode Island state BCIs are the only form of a background check that is accepted at CEHC 

  • Out of state BCIs don’t fulfill the requirement 

  • Federal background checks and fingerprints are not required or necessary 

  • We highly recommend going in-person to the Attorney General's office instead of doing the BCI by mail. BCIs are processed on-site and take only minutes to complete, whereas mail-in BCIs can take up to 2 weeks.

 

RI BCI location & information 

  • Attorney General’s Office 

    • 4 Howard Ave., Cranston, RI 

    • $5, cash not accepted 

  • Monday – Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm (closed on state holidays) 

  • More information can be found HERE.

Non- provider volunteers

general QUESTIONS

Can CEHC reimburse my bus fare/Uber/Lyft/taxi/rideshare, etc.?  

  • Unfortunately, CEHC doesn’t reimburse for transportation costs. If you're volunteering for an organized group on campus or in the community, check with your club's leadership about transportation reimbursement. RIPTA is an affordable mode of transportation around Providence (especially for students!) and there are several stops near the clinic!​

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I don’t have the COVID-19 vaccine. Can I volunteer? 

  • Clinic policy requires that all patients, staff, volunteers, and providers are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. If you need a COVID vaccine, please call the clinic at (401) 347-9093. 

  • More information about the most up to date COVID-19 vaccine guidelines can be found HERE.

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Are interns, fellows, or volunteers at CEHC paid? 

  • No, unfortunately, CEHC doesn't have the capacity at this time to pay interns, fellows, or volunteers at this time. However, internships can be counted towards school credit.

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I'm a high school student under 18 and I'd like to be involved with the clinic. 

  • Thank you for your interest, but only individuals over 18 are able to volunteer at the clinic. Please reach back out to us after your 18th birthday!

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Do volunteers need to resubmit paperwork every year?

  • Yes, all volunteers must submit the following every year:

    • Vaccine records

      • Must include flu and COVID

    • TB screening

      • PPD and QuantiFERON testing only; chest x-rays are good for 10 years after the date they're taken

    • RI state BCI

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I used to volunteer at the clinic and want to return. Do I need to complete new paperwork and attend orientation?

  • If it's been over a year since you last volunteered, you will need to submit a new, complete volunteer application package and attend orientation. The complete list of volunteer materials can be found here.

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Is there a commitment requirement to volunteer at CEHC?

  • Yes. Non-provider volunteers must commit to at least one (1), three (3)-hour shift every week for at least one (1) full semester (or 3 months), but you are invited to volunteer more often if your schedule allows!

INTERNSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, ROTATIONS, etc.

I'm a college student looking do to an internship. Can I intern at CEHC?

  • Internships are approved on a case-by-case basis. Please email VCoordinator@aplacetobehealthy.org and JuliaT@aplacetobehealthy.org with all of the details of your internship (including school, class, professor and their contact information, hours requirement, task requirements, etc.) and a current resume/CV.

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I'm a high school student looking to do an internship, experiential learning project, or shadow a staff member/medical provider. Can I do this at CEHC?

  • Unfortunately, the clinic doesn't have the capacity to support shadowing requests or to allow anybody under the age of 18 to engage in internships or volunteer opportunities.

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I’m a work-study student through my college and I’d like to do my work-study at CEHC.  

  • Unfortunately, CEHC does not have the capacity to support work-study students, only volunteers and unpaid internships.

 

I’m a student doing a fellowship at my college/university. Can I do my fellowship at CEHC? 

 

I’m a student studying medicine (MD, PA, NP, RN, etc.) and I’d like to do my clinical hours/rotation at CEHC. 

  • Unfortunately, CEHC does not have the capacity to support individual students on rotation or completing clinical hours at this time. Please check back in the future.

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I’m a student interested in becoming a medical provider. Can I shadow a provider at CEHC? 

  • Unfortunately, CEHC's provider don't have the capacity to support volunteers interested in shadowing at this time. Please check back in the future​.​

provider volunteers

What EMR does CEHC use?

  • CEHC used eClinicalWorks. You will receive a login once you've been onboarded and met with CEHC senior leadership.

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Does CEHC accept insurance?

  • No, patients at CEHC are uninsured and do not qualify for state or federal health insurance and/or cannot afford private insurance.

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What are the time commitments?

  • Volunteer providers are invited to schedule clinics as often as they'd like. Some providers come once a week, others once a month. We will work with you to figure out the best schedule that works for both you and the clinic.

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Do I need private malpractice insurance?

  • No. CEHC is covered by the FTCA's coverage. You do not need private malpractice insurance.

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Do I need a Rhode Island medical license to practice at CEHC?

  • Yes, a valid Rhode Island medical license is required. Medical licenses from other states do not fulfill this requirement.

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I don't speak Spanish. Can I still volunteer?

  • Absolutely! CEHC's Navegantes are also medical interpreters and interpret for providers, as needed.

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Are scribes available?

  • If you would like to have a scribe, please let Morgan Leonard and Maria De Sousa know as soon as possible. CEHC's scribes are volunteers as well!

For more information or if you have further questions, please email VCoordinator@aplacetobehealthy.org

We ask that you refrain from calling the clinic regarding volunteer opportunities.
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