Be a Tour Guide and Docent at the Russell Museum of Medical History and Innovation at Mass General

Museum volunteers (docents) welcome visitors in the Russell Museum, which celebrates the history of and continued innovation within Massachusetts General Hospital and lead tours of the hospital's Ether Dome, site of the first successful public demonstration of anesthesia.

You can expect to work with all ages; with patients and their families, clinicians, health care executives and tourists; with locals and visitors with limited English. Some days are fast-paced and busy, while other days are quiet. No special background in history, medicine, science or museums is required – we will train you! Training involves reading our tour outline and docent manual, shadowing staff and other volunteers, and discussing your questions with staff.

Docents typically have one standing two- or three-hour shift per week. The museum is open Tuesday – Friday 10 am to 2 pm year-round and Saturday 11 am to 4 pm shifts April – October.

You must be available a minimum of six months. After a museum staff member meets with a prospective volunteer, that person is onboarded through the hospital's Volunteer Department.