Volunteers
Volunteers are a critical part of SDCHL’s ability to provide care. They are the heart of our organization. Volunteers serve in both medical and non-medical positions.
If you are a health care professional, your liability will be covered under the Free Clinics Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Medical Malpractice Program
Volunteers typically work once or twice per month on a regular schedule for 2-4 hours per shift. Schedules are made and sent out monthly.
If you are interested in donating time to the center, please email us or call us at (770) 484-2777 to obtain and complete the volunteer registration form .
Georgia Volunteer Health Care Program’s 2009 Updates
The major update to the Georgia Volunteer Health Care Program (GVHCP) made by Senate Bill (SB) 133 is the protection now afforded to contracted, paid nurses in safety net clinics.
Here are the program basics. Currently, the Health Share Volunteers in Medicine Act provides FREE Sovereign Immunity (SI) for licensed health and dental care professionals in safety net clinics who volunteer their time to treat eligible patients. The providers must be contracted as volunteers with the program for the state to extend SI protection. The providers are contracted to offer health care services as an agent of the state and must deliver care at no cost. The GVHCP is open to all active licensed health and dental care professionals, as well as retired physicians, dentists and chiropractors.
Here is the amendment’s highlight:
SB 133 supports the growth of the free clinics by extending SI protection to GVHCP-contracted, paid nurses that serve in safety net clinics. The amendment allows the following nurses to receive SI with certain restrictions:
-
Advance Practice Nurse (N.P.)
-
Certified Nurse Midwife (C.N.M.)
-
Registered Nurse (R.N.)
-
Licensed Practical Nurse (L.P.N.)
The full amendment is available online; http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/sum/sb133.htm.
Additionally, the licensing boards agreed to award Continuing Education (C.E.) credits to volunteer physicians, dentists and dental hygienists. Qualifying providers may receive 1 C.E. credit for 4 volunteer hours, with a maximum of 10 C.E. credits per 2-year cycle. Providers must submit documentation to the appropriate licensing board at the time of license renewal.
| 
