About Northwest Hospital & Medical Center
Northwest Hospital & Medical Center is a not-for-profit facility that opened in 1960 to serve north King and south Snohomish counties. It provides outstanding emergency, medical, and surgical care, as well as meets specialized health care needs. It has established preeminent programs in cardiology including an open heart treatment program. Northwest Hospital is a national leader in the successful treatment of brain cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer. It is affiliated with more than 500 primary care providers and specialists.

Why Volunteer?
Have you ever had to wait for a loved one to have surgery? Then you know how special it is to have a volunteer keep you company in the waiting room. Have you ever been a patient waiting on a gurney for an x-ray? Then you know how special it is to have a volunteer wait with you.

Northwest Hospital & Medical Center is your community hospital. A place that cares for your medical needs and those of your neighbors. By volunteering your time, you are helping to make your neighborhood hospital a friendlier place.

Who Can Volunteer?
People of all ages (15 years or older) are encouraged to volunteer at Northwest Hospital & Medical Center. We ask that volunteers be willing to work 3-4 hours per week for at least three months. While most volunteers work during the business day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, some volunteers choose to work evenings or weekends.

How Do I Become a Volunteer?
To become a volunteer, contact the Volunteer Office at 206-368-1822 to schedule an interview with the Volunteer Coordinator. At that appointment you will be asked to complete a volunteer application and a request form for a Washington State Patrol Criminal Background Check. A second interview with the prospective department supervisor may also be scheduled. Once an acceptable match is made, the new volunteer is scheduled to attend training.

Why is an Interview Important?
Volunteering at Northwest Hospital & Medical Center requires a good match between the individual's interests and talents and the work available to volunteers at the hospital. While a match is usually a simple process, occasionally it is not possible. The interview helps the prospective volunteer learn about specific volunteer opportunities available at Northwest Hospital.

Will I Receive Training?
All new volunteers must attend a volunteer orientation class. This will help familiarize new volunteers with the policies and procedures that govern volunteers at Northwest Hospital & Medical Center. In addition, volunteers receive specialized training within their specific department. Volunteers always have support from nearby staff.

Are There Volunteer Opportunities?
Every day, everywhere in the hospital, volunteers add new meaning to the caring concept found at Northwest. More than 250 active volunteers of all ages perform a variety of tasks. Volunteers work in the hospital's gift shop, bring the library cart to patients' rooms, escort discharged patients to their cars, and provide comfort to families of surgery patients. In fact, volunteers can be found in almost every department of the hospital.

What Are the Benefits of Being a Northwest Hospital Volunteer?
Tangible benefits include a free beverage and a discount on meals in the hospital cafeteria before or after your shift. It is the intangible benefits that keep volunteers coming back — the satisfaction of helping sick or injured neighbors, the social contact with others, and maintaining and learning new skills, to name a few.

Whom do I contact?
Contact the friendly staff of:

Volunteer Services
Northwest Hospital & Medical Center
1550 N. 115th Street
Seattle, WA 98133-9733
206-368-1822

Questions about volunteering at Northwest Hospital? Email barnold@nwhsea.org.