Help Provide Free Care
Your gift helps RAM provide free dental, vision, and medical services to people in need.
Our clinics would not be possible without the support of all our volunteers. From Remote Area Medical and all our patients, we want to say thank you for volunteering with us. Being a RAM Volunteer is one of the best ways to support our organization.
Volunteers make a difference in the lives of every one of our patients. Many of our patients would go without the care they need if it weren’t for volunteers.
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions:
If we do not answer your question here, please email [email protected] or call 865-579-1530.
When Should I Arrive at the RAM Clinic?
Volunteer orientation typically begins at 6 A.M. Check your volunteer information email to confirm. Please arrive before 6 A.M. if you plan to eat the breakfast provided at the clinic.
When you arrive at the clinic, please follow the signs for ‘Volunteer Registration.’
How Long Will I Be at the Clinic? What Time Does the Clinic End for Volunteers?
For a typical Saturday-Sunday, clinic volunteers should expect to stay until 4-6 P.M. on Saturday. On Sunday volunteers should expect to be at the clinic until noon-3 P.M. followed by equipment breakdown until 5 P.M. Clinic end times vary.
Support This Story
Your gift helps RAM continue providing free care to people in need.
What Do I Need to Bring as A RAM Volunteer?
RAM provides all the necessary equipment for providers. However, dental providers should bring their own loupes, and medical providers are encouraged to bring their own stethoscopes.
We follow CDC sterilization and disinfection guidelines for workstations, instruments, and consumables.
What Medical Professionals Are Able to Volunteer at a RAM Free Clinic?
- Dental: Dentists, Oral Surgeons, Dental Hygienists, and Dental Assistants.
- Vision: Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, Optometric Techs, Ophthalmic Techs, and Opticians.
- Medical: Physicians, Advanced Practice Providers (PAs, NPs, FNPs, etc.) Specialists may be in need at certain clinics. If you are an interested medical specialist, please email [email protected] to learn more.
- Triage: RNs, LPNs, Paramedics, and AEMTs.
Providers must have an active, valid license and be in good standing with their respective license board. Check with the RAM Volunteer Team about states that allow out-of-state providers.
I’m a student, can I volunteer with RAM?
Yes! Whether or not you’ll be able to provide care to patients depends on where you are in your schooling (see below). If you are not eligible to provide care to patients, you are still needed as a general support volunteer!
Dental students: You must be in your third year of dental school and be accompanied by a licensed faculty supervisor.
Optometry/Ophthalmology Students: You must have faculty supervision and be in your third or fourth year of school.
MD, DO, PA, and NP Students: You must have faculty supervision. A licensed faculty member may bring up to five students, all of whom must be in their third or fourth year of their programs.
Nursing Students (RN, BSN): A licensed faculty member may bring up to five students, all of whom must be in the last “half” of their nursing program. For example, if you are in a four-semester accelerated program, you must at least be in your third semester on the date of the clinic.
Pre-Med, Pre-Dental, Pre-Nursing, and Pre-Optometry undergraduates, as well as LPN, EMT, CNA, and MA students, and all other students:
You will not be able to provide direct patient care. However, we encourage you to join us as a general support volunteer. Your help is still vital to the success of the clinic, and you’ll learn a lot!
Once Inside the Clinic
What services does RAM offer for patients?
Dental:
- Fillings
- Cleanings
- Extractions
- Dental X-rays
Vision:
- Complete eye exams
- Eye health evaluations
- Prescription glasses made on-site
Medical:
- Physical examinations
- Prescription consultations
- Women’s health exams
- General wellness exams
- And more!
Patients begin entering the clinic as early as 6 a.m. After check-in at patient registration, they’ll complete a brief medical triage and general health screening. From there, patients will be directed to the appropriate service area – dental, vision, or medical – based on their needs.
Please note: Patients must choose between dental and vision services, but all patients are eligible to receive medical care.
Do I Need to Bring My Own Food?
No, you do not need to bring your own food. Meals and snacks will be provided to all volunteers. Vegetarian food options will be available.
Does RAM Provide Hotels/Lodging?
No. Volunteers are responsible for their own lodging. Volunteers are also responsible for their transportation to and from the clinic.
What Should I Wear to Volunteer?
Volunteers must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes to RAM Clinics. Oftentimes clinic t-shirts are available for volunteers, though you are not required to wear them.
Healthcare providers are welcome to wear scrubs.
Volunteering With RAM’s Telehealth Program
Our telehealth program allows licensed medical professionals to volunteer remotely from anywhere in the country. We handle scheduling, patient intake, and documentation. RAM has a nurse on-site to triage and support the patient.
A RAM Volunteer at Headquarters
Located just 15 minutes south of Knoxville, at 2200 Stock Creek Blvd., Rockford, TN 37852, volunteers are always welcome to help at headquarters. Headquarters volunteers can do anything from paperwork, to loading clinic equipment, restocking supplies, and maintaining vehicles.
Headquarters volunteers help us behind the scenes to ensure that all our clinics are a success. Call 865-579-1530 to learn more about what volunteers are needed at headquarters or to sign your group up to volunteer!
Additional Optional Things to Bring as a RAM Volunteer
What do student volunteers from RAM’s Campus Chapters suggest volunteers bring with them?
- Comfortable footwear
- This was by far the most popular answer!
- Volunteers can be at the clinic for up to 12 hours; it is important to wear good shoes to stay comfortable throughout the day.
- Jacket/Hoodie
- You never know how the temperature will change throughout the day!
- Portable phone charger
- Your phone may need charging after taking photos with your fellow volunteers — don’t forget to tag RAM in your posts!
- Chapstick
- Water bottle
- Water is always available at a clinic, but if you prefer to use your own reusable water bottle, be sure to bring it with you!
- Hand sanitizer
- All RAM Clinics are equipped with hand sanitizer, but if you want to keep some on you at all times, make sure to bring yours from home!
- A positive attitude and eagerness to serve in whatever capacity is needed
- A smile!
“We advise those coming to serve at RAM clinics to take advantage of the opportunity to meet other volunteers from all over the country. I have met fascinating volunteers ranging from dentists on admission committees of dental schools to professors and researchers who have made incredible discoveries.” said a representative for the University of Alabama’s RAM Campus Chapter. “The passion for healthcare and service is evident in every volunteer at RAM Clinics and is a great common interest to spark conversation!”
Thank you to our RAM Campus Chapters at the University of Alabama, Nova Southeastern University, Clemson, the University of Louisville, Duke University, Penn State, the University of Florida, and New Jersey Institute of Technology for the suggestions!
If you are an undergraduate student who would like to join a RAM Campus Chapter or start a chapter at your school, visit our Campus Chapter page to learn more!
Learn More About Remote Area Medical (RAM®)
To sign up to volunteer at one of our upcoming clinics, please visit our website. If you have any questions about volunteering that are not answered above, please contact [email protected] or call 865-579-1530.
RAM does not receive federal funding. We are funded exclusively through private donations, corporate sponsors, and grants. If you would like to support RAM’s mission, please donate here. If you would like to become a monthly donor, to make your impact go even further, please visit our website.
Do you follow RAM on social media? We hope so! Click here to find us on socials. Please share our mission with your friends, family, and followers.
Hear from patients and volunteers, learn more about RAM’s mission, and much more through RAM’s weekly blog posts.
Do you like free stuff? Download RAM’s FREE magazine!
Have you heard of Walmart’s Spark Good Program? You round up your Walmart purchases, and Walmart donates the change to RAM! Donating doesn’t get much simpler than that! Sign up here!
