Philadelphia Department of Public Health - Volunteer Opportunities

Resources

Posters
Related Websites
Conferences
Newsletters

Response Partners

Partner Log In

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

Emergencies can happen at any time. The Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) enrolls and trains volunteers before an emergency happens, so that they can help as soon as possible.

The Philadelphia MRC currently has over 7,000 members who are ready to respond when needed. The Department of Public Health provides a variety of trainings, exercises, and real deployment opportunities throughout the year to build volunteers’ skills and keep them actively engaged with the unit.

Volunteers provide a variety of services during a response, depending on their individual licensing and credentials. As a volunteer, you may:

Conduct medical screenings, dispense medications, or administer vaccines.
Provide medical assessments and care at evacuation shelters for displaced persons.
Provide clinical and/or non-clinical support to the  Philadelphia Fire Department (Emergency Medical Services)  at large special events.
Provide administrative support, such as answering phones in a call center or doing data entry.
Assist with neighborhood canvassing to support preparedness and response activities.

By volunteering for the Philadelphia MRC, you can contribute to a healthier, more resilient Philadelphia.

Sign-Up Process and Eligibility

Frequently Asked Question	Important Information
Who can serve as a Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteer?	Anyone 18 years of age or older may apply online to join the Philadelphia MRC. Once the application is approved, volunteers will be contacted about training, exercise, and deployment opportunities. Licensed, certified, or retired health professionals, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, behavioral health providers, EMTs, paramedics, dentists, veterinarians, and respiratory care therapists. Medical, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and other allied health professional students. Non-medical personnel, such as interpreters, chaplains, and administrative professionals. Students studying to become health care professionals can offer support to the Philadelphia MRC while gaining valuable skills and experience. If you would like more information about student group volunteer opportunities, email mrc@phila.gov. Volunteers will be assigned to roles that best fit their skills, credentials, and experience.
What are the requirements to serve as an MRC volunteer?	In order to enroll in the Philadelphia MRC and maintain an active status, volunteers need to provide and maintain updated contact information in our volunteer registry, undergo a criminal background check, and live in Philadelphia. You do not need a medical license to volunteer; however, to serve as a medical volunteer, you do need to maintain an unencumbered and active medical license.
Where can I find more information about the MRC?	For press/media inquiries or general assistance, please contact MRC@phila.gov. For more up-to-date information about the Philadelphia MRC, our valued volunteers, and upcoming events, follow us on LinkedIn. Click here to learn more about the Philadelphia MRC.

Frequently Asked Question

Important Information

Who can serve as a Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteer?

Anyone 18 years of age or older may apply online to join the Philadelphia MRC. Once the application is approved, volunteers will be contacted about training, exercise, and deployment opportunities.

Licensed, certified, or retired health professionals, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, behavioral health providers, EMTs, paramedics, dentists, veterinarians, and respiratory care therapists.
Medical, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and other allied health professional students.
Non-medical personnel, such as interpreters, chaplains, and administrative professionals.

Students studying to become health care professionals can offer support to the Philadelphia MRC while gaining valuable skills and experience. If you would like more information about student group volunteer opportunities, email mrc@phila.gov.

Volunteers will be assigned to roles that best fit their skills, credentials, and experience.

What are the requirements to serve as an MRC volunteer?

In order to enroll in the Philadelphia MRC and maintain an active status, volunteers need to provide and maintain updated contact information in our volunteer registry, undergo a criminal background check, and live in Philadelphia.

You do not need a medical license to volunteer; however, to serve as a medical volunteer, you do need to maintain an unencumbered and active medical license.

Where can I find more information about the MRC?

For press/media inquiries or general assistance, please contact MRC@phila.gov.
For more up-to-date information about the Philadelphia MRC, our valued volunteers, and upcoming events, follow us on LinkedIn.
Click here to learn more about the Philadelphia MRC.

Volunteer Manual

This manual provides a standardized resource for all Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers. The Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator reserves the right to update this manual as needed to accommodate changes made in policies or procedures. Please forward any questions regarding the content to the Philadelphia MRC Coordinator at mrc@phila.gov.

Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Volunteer Manual

Newsletters

Month	Topics Covered
March 2024	2023 In Review Volunteer Spotlight Mass Prophylsxis: Leveraging the Medical Reserve Corps

Trainings and Events

Date	Time	Training Title	Agenda and Documents
March 9, 2024	9:30am - 1:00pm	Philadelpia Medical Reserve Corps: Mass Prophylaxis Training	Training Agenda Sign-Up Form

Health Information Portal (HIP)

Search

0 results

Menu

Resources

Response Partners

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

Sign-Up Process and Eligibility

Volunteer Manual

Newsletters

Trainings and Events

Medical Reserve Corps

Eligibility

Volunteer Manual

Newsletters

Trainings and Events