With Health Care Volunteers,
Our Ships Become Hospitals
Physicians and Surgeons, Operating Room, Hospital, Medical Support and Medical Capacity Building
Mercy Ships medical volunteers are bridge builders, instilling hope and patient empowerment and promoting social justice by addressing health disparity by providing holistic healthcare care in low-resource settings. So, get on board and fulfill an extraordinary mission by sharing your knowledge, experience, and skills to bring hope and healing. Be part of a cohesive international team tackling the global surgical crises. Volunteer opportunities in the operation room, hospital, medical support, and capacity-building areas. Mercy Ships volunteers bring culturally respectful, safe, and accessible healthcare to Africa. Join the community aboard our hospital ships and make your mark today by delivering compassionate surgical care.
Why You are Needed
Each year, healthcare volunteers from over 60 nations serve on board our fleet doing humanitarian work.
Why You are Needed
Each year, management and information technology volunteers from 60 nations serve on board our fleet doing humanitarian work.
Become a Medical Volunteer in Africa
Operating Room Volunteers
Be part of life-transforming surgeries.
Hospital Volunteers
Care for our patients and crew.
Medical Support Volunteers
Help make our ships world-class hospitals.
IMMEDIATE HEALTHCARE OPPORTUNITIES
Career growth opportunities are available in the following fields:
Senior Biomedical Technician
Chief Medical Officer
PACU Nurse
Ward Nurse
OR Clinical Supervisor
OR Nurse
Medical Laboratory Technologist
OR Sterile Processing Technician
Pediatric Nurse
We are here to help you in your volunteer journey!
Catherine Tremblay
crewcanada@mercyships.ca
Noémie Ntahonkiriye
1-866-900-7447 (toll free)
Interested in learning more
about serving with us?
This page provides help with the most common questions we receive.
Stay up-to-date with the most
recent procedures used by
reading our Long Term Canadian
Crew Guidebook.
Stay up-to-date with the most
recent procedures used by
reading our Short Term
Canadian Crew Guidebook.
Volunteering for Mercy Ships
What you need to know to volunteer in Africa:
Accommodations
There are a limited number of cabins for families and married couples. Single people share a cabin with between 3 and 9 people.
Meals
Onboard, meals are provided. Special diets can’t be catered. There is also a Starbucks cafe with a snack bar and shop.
Amenities
The ships are equipped with a laundromat, recreational and sports areas, a school for children of volunteers, a medical crew clinic and Wi-Fi.
Experience
You may have the opportunity to leave the ships to explore the city and its surroundings, go to the beach, the market or participate in volunteer off-ship opportunities.
Time Commitment
Volunteers must be engaged in this humanitarian work for a period from 10 months to 2 years including personal time off planned.
Requirements
You must be a minimum of 18 years old, have a good knowledge of English and meet immunization requirement.
Core Values
We are an inclusive faith-based organization. We ask our volunteers to respect the core values of Mercy Ships and our code of conduct.
Regulation Forms
Volunteers are subject to maritime law: various codes and regulations have to be signed on board. A medical form provided by your doctor is required to vouch for your good health.
Volunteer Opportunities With Mercy Ships
Find your place onboard
Partner with us today, and don’t miss the opportunity to help change someone’s life forever. Your support and volunteer efforts bring hope and healing to so many in great need.
Not the right time?
Want to serve but it's not the right time? Consider helping volunteers in their fundraising efforts.