Volunteer opportunities

Kaiser Permanente Washington offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for people like you who are ready and willing to lend a helping hand. Opportunities are in the Seattle/greater Puget Sound area.

Kaiser Permanente Medical Offices

Volunteers help patients and assist in various departments at our clinics. 
  • Staff the information desk: give directions, transport patients, run errands throughout the facility, and maintain cleanliness. Volunteers must be physically able to push patients in wheelchairs or push a small supply cart on level surfaces.
  • Greet patients and guests and help them navigate the medical center.
  • Assist in specialty departments (Bellevue and Capitol Hill Specialty campuses only).
  • Volunteers do not provide hands-on patient care but serve in patient-facing areas.

We accept volunteers ages 16 and older (under 19 requires parental consent). Volunteers are considered active when volunteering at least 3 shifts per month. After 90 days of inactivity re-onboarding is required, resulting in delays in restarting service.

Seasonal influenza vaccinations and a one-time tuberculosis screening are required.

Most of our volunteer roles require weekday, daytime availability. Limited evening and weekend roles are available at Capitol Hill and Bellevue locations—after completing weekday daytime training shifts.

In addition to our year-round program, we offer a Summer Program for those that are only available to serve between June 15 and September 1. A minimum of 66 hours, or about two shifts per week, is expected from summer volunteers. Weekend or evening hours are available on a limited basis for those wish to continue serving after September 1. Applications will be accepted starting Feb 14, 2025. All inquiries should indicate interest in our REGULAR program or SUMMER program.

Volunteer opportunities are available at the following clinics and is subject to change:

  • Bellevue Specialty Center
  • Capitol Hill Specialty Center
  • Everett Medical Offices (new specialty center opening in May)
  • Northshore Medical Offices
  • Lynnwood Medical Offices
  • Tacoma Specialty Center

For more information or to request an application,
email VolunteersKPWA@kp.org

Hospice

Hospice care volunteers offer empathetic, nonjudgmental support and services to hospice patients and their caregivers. We carefully screen and train our hospice volunteers, who perform duties that supplement but do not substitute for professional services.

You must be 18 years or older and may provide support in patient's homes or in residential facilities. You may offer any of these services:

  • Staying with a patient so the caregiver can rest or take a break
  • Visiting with patients, reading aloud or other activities
  • Offering compassionate presence at the bedside of a dying patient
  • Providing friendly and supportive conversation virtually
  • Writing cards or letters for social support
  • Running errands and grocery shopping
  • Sewing walker bags, fidget quilts, or other craft items to promote comfort
  • Performing administrative tasks such as mailing or filing to support the hospice program
  • Assisting with legacy projects

To learn more:

Email: kpwa.hospicevolunteers@kp.org
Phone: 1-800-393-0890 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Resource line

Resource line volunteers help ensure that members have access to printed health information and other materials when they need it. Volunteers in this role fulfill requests from providers to mail materials to members.   

  • This non–patient facing role is located in a quiet office at our Capitol Hill Campus in Seattle.
  • Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Shifts are flexible.
  • Good typing skills and the ability to stand, sit, and reach are required.

For more information, email kpwa.resource-l@kp.org or leave a message at 206-326-2800 (toll-free 1-800-992-2279).

Advisory committees 

Volunteer opportunities are available for members interested in serving on:

  • Gender Health Patient Advisory Panel 
  • Consumer Advisory Committee

Volunteers provide feedback to Kaiser Permanente leaders on ways to improve the patient experience and patient care. Committees meet 4 to 6 times per year and meeting times vary according to the group. All meetings are held virtually by either Microsoft Teams or Zoom. 

To learn more or to request an application:
Email: memberparticipation@kp.org