The American Red Cross is asking health professionals, including mental health specialists, to volunteer for disaster-relief needs on the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana, and provides information on whether you are eligible and how to register your interest.

The flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey has left nearly 35,000 people in shelters. Professionals needed include RNs, licensed practical nurses, licensed vocational nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, MDs, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and advanced practice registered nurses. The needs, however, are non-traditional, in assisting survivors of disaster.

Volunteers are asked to be available for nine days (seven days of work plus a day for travel to and from), and may be required to take a short Red Cross training.