This paper describes the planning and implementation of a veterans' hospital career center program that offers a comprehensive career counseling, vocational assessment, vocational rehabilitation planning, job placement, and follow-up program to inpatients and outpatients, under the direction of a counseling psychologist. Recruitment of volunteer staff and the planning of the career center, adopted from the career education model found in school settings, are discussed. The training of volunteers is described and the use of counselor educators and career education and counseling program staff from the community is reviewed. Unique problems faced in training retired volunteers with an average age of 70 are presented. Other key elements of successful program development and management using volunteers are reviewed, including: (1) the development of a community base for vocational rehabilitation; (2) documentation; (3) volunteer openness to direct supervision; (4) difficulties faced by older volunteers in comprehending the complexities of vocational and psychological assessment; and (5) the use of social activities to foster cohesiveness and group identity among volunteers. (NRB)