- How many hours are volunteers required to serve per week?
- What time are most volunteer shifts?
- Volunteer Commitment: How long do volunteers serve at MSK?
- Can students volunteer?
- What do I have to do before I begin volunteering?
- Do I need to take any classes or go through training before I volunteer?
- Can I choose what type of work I want to do or what department or type of patient I want to work with?
- Do I have to know someone with cancer or be a current or former patient of MSK in order to volunteer?
How many hours are volunteers required to serve per week?
Volunteers work a minimum of one (1) three or four hour shift per week.* This shift will repeat every week. Volunteers are expected to be reliable in attending their shifts as they are an integral part of enhancing the patient and caregiver experience at MSK.
*Caring Canine volunteers and musician volunteers may work for 1 – 2 hour shifts weekly given the nature of their assignment.
What time are most volunteer shifts?
We welcome participants at any hour, but the greatest need is for volunteers with time from Monday through Friday between the hours of and
Volunteer Commitment: How long do volunteers serve at MSK?
- Pediatrics and Adolescent and Young Adult volunteers are expected to commit to a minimum of 1 year when volunteering.
- All other volunteers are expected to commit to a minimum of 6 months when volunteering.
- Adults generally stay for least one year of service, and most work with us for about two years — although some end up contributing for decades.
- Please note, we do not offer short-term volunteer opportunities or shadowing of medical professionals.
Can students volunteer?
Yes. Students may volunteer and are held to the same volunteer commitment as all other volunteers (minimum of 1 year for Pediatrics/Adolescent and Young Adult volunteers & 6 months for all other volunteer roles). Students must be at least 16 years old to volunteer unless otherwise stated on the volunteer opportunity description. For Pediatrics, students must be at least 17 years old. For Caring Canines and Adolescent and Young Adult, students must be at least 18 years old.
What do I have to do before I begin volunteering?
Prior to starting, all volunteers attend an orientation workshop and also submit health records to make sure they don’t inadvertently put patients at risk. In fact, New York State law requires volunteers to fulfill certain medical requirements such as testing for German measles, measles, mumps, chicken pox, and a two-step PPD (tuberculosis) test.
Do I need to take any classes or go through training before I volunteer?
The Department of Volunteer Resources provides onboarding for new volunteers to learn about MSK and volunteering expectations. Volunteers also electronically complete a Required Regulatory Training program that covers patient privacy, safety, infection control, hospital policies, and conduct. Any additional assignment-specific training is provided by site supervisors in their assignment. Active volunteers receive a photo ID badge, a uniform, and instructions on how to use our computerized system for tracking hours of activity.
Can I choose what type of work I want to do or what department or type of patient I want to work with?
Each volunteer opportunity has its own unique volunteer work, patient population, and department, so please review opportunities carefully before applying to ensure it is a good fit! The role you are assigned to will depend on what opportunity you apply for and if your availability matches current volunteer needs. When completing your application, you can share why you are interested in volunteering and what type of assignment you are looking for. If the opportunity you apply for does not match what you are looking for, your application will likely be rejected.
Do I have to know someone with cancer or be a current or former patient of MSK in order to volunteer?
No. You don’t need to have any personal history of cancer or experience with or as a patient in order to volunteer.