Spiritual Care Volunteers

About Us:

The people of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are united by a singular mission: ending cancer for life. Our specialized care teams provide personalized, compassionate, expert care to patients of all ages. Informed by basic research done at our Sloan Kettering Institute, scientists across MSK collaborate to conduct innovative translational and clinical research that is driving a revolution in our understanding of cancer as a disease and improving the ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat it. MSK is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and clinicians, who go on to pursue our mission at MSK and around the globe.

Before You Apply 
To ensure this opportunity is a good fit, please watch our volunteer Pre-Orientation video for essential program information. Review the opportunity description and scheduling details below carefully before submitting your application. 

Location 

Main Campus (Main Inpatient Hospital)  – 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065 

Volunteer Opportunity 
Spiritual Care volunteers will support the Chaplaincy or Bikur Cholim under the direction of Spiritual Care staff. 

As a Chaplaincy Volunteer, you may: 

• Inform patients about religious services of their faith. 

• Communicate requests for chaplaincy services to the appropriate chaplain in a timely manner, and to give comfort to patients and their families. 

• Invite patients individually to appropriate religious services. 

As a Bikur Cholim Volunteer, you may: 

• Assist Jewish patients by offering to pray with them, delivering /retrieving Shabbos Candles and giving spiritual comfort. 

• Assist Chaplaincy Services by making appropriate referrals to Chaplains for follow up and providing information about Chaplaincy Service to all patients who inquire. 

• Visit Jewish patients to offer bedside prayer, services, companionship and support. 

• Provide information to patients about religious services in the hospital and at neighboring synagogues, offer prayer and/ or religious literature. 

Who We’re Looking For  

• Age 16+ 

• If you are a former or current MSK patient, you must be out of active treatment for at least one year 

• Friendly, reliable, and comfortable engaging with patients, families, and staff 

Onboarding Process (average 4–6 weeks)  

• Interview with the Spiritual Care team 

• 2–3 reference checks 

• Background check & drug screen (18+ only) 

• Medical clearance (flu and other immunizations required; at applicant’s expense) 

*To stay active in the program, onboarding must be completed within 4-6 weeks. If your application is pending any onboarding tasks for 30+ days, your application may be rejected. 

Please Note 
This is an unpaid volunteer role. The Volunteer Department does not oversee paid employment, internships, shadowing, or educational programs. Our program provides meaningful, long-term opportunities to support patients and staff. 

Closing:

At MSK, we believe in fair, competitive pay that reflects your job, experience, and skills.

MSK is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruiting and employment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran status or any other factor which cannot lawfully be used as a basis for an employment decision.  

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.