Medical Volunteering in Cambodia

I first dipped my toes into volunteering in 2017 when I took a position as a nurse in Skopje, North Macedonia with Project Hope.  (You can read about that here!).  While this has been my only experience with volunteering, I want to highlight other volunteer opportunities for nurses and medical professionals around the world.

In 2023, I spent four weeks traveling through Cambodia and I realized that there are tons of medical volunteer opportunities in the country.  Because of Cambodia’s dark past and due to remote areas in Cambodia, a lot of people struggle to access basic medical care.  So, if you’re a nurse or medical professional reading this – take this as an opportunity to spend time volunteering in the country and then extending your stay so that you can experience the beauty of Cambodia.

 

If you’re planning a trip to Cambodia, don’t miss…

• The Ultimate Cambodia Packing List
• The Ultimate 10 Day Cambodia Itinerary
• Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to Cambodia
• What You Need to Know About Visiting Angkor Wat
• A Complete Battambang Itinerary

 

Please note:  I’ve done my best to research and vet these companies.  Please be aware of scams when inquiring about volunteer positions.  Also, I do note condone certain types of volunteer work that hinders the community instead of helping the community.  I have strictly included these companies in this post because they are reputable companies and have an aspect of medical need.

 

Organizations to Volunteer with in Cambodia

WHEN TRAVELING ABROAD, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND TRAVEL-MEDICAL INSURANCE; SEE WHY HERE AND HERE!

 

1.  Global Crossroad

LOCATION:  PHNOM PENH & PURSAT | VOLUNTEER HERE

Located in 18 countries, Global Crossroad focuses on grassroots projects and cultural immersion in developing countries.  Volunteers in Cambodia can expect responsibility for assisting local doctors, promoting disease prevention and health education, providing basic care, taking patient notes, and assisting with administrative work.

Please note:  You do have to pay to volunteer with this program.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be 18-70 years old

 

2.  Health Volunteers Overseas

LOCATION:  KAMPOT + PHNOM PENH + SIEM REAP | VOLUNTEER HERE

Health Volunteers Overseas was formed in 1986 with a goal to improve quality and access to healthcare through education and resources in resource-scarce countries.  Their guiding mission is that everyone around the world will have access to high-quality healthcare delivered by local health professionals.

In Cambodia, volunteers are needed for a variety of reasons.  In Kampot, Health Volunteers Overseas is looking for neonatal nurses, emergency nurses, and those with a background in non-communicable diseases who can commit to volunteer for 2-4 weeks.  Volunteers must have experience in med/surg, NICU, or critical care/emergency care.

In Phnom Penh, Health Volunteers Overseas is looking for volunteers who can commit to 2-4 weeks and can provide lectures and clinical instructions to nursing students.  Volunteers must have a RN license from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, or Western Europe.  Volunteers must have a master’s degree or be a certified adult or family nurse practitioner.  Volunteers are required to have two years of teaching experience.

In Siem Reap, Health Volunteers Overseas is looking for volunteers with skills in triage, hematology, and/0r oncology who can commit for 2 weeks.  Volunteers must have experience in nutrition/lactation, heme/onc, outpatient triage, neurology, and/or respiratory care.

 

3.  IFRE Volunteers

VOLUNTEER HERE

IFRE Volunteers is a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Dallas, Texas.  Every volunteer program constructed at IFRE is done with purpose to help those in developing countries.  In Cambodia, you will work at government hospitals and local clinics to help those in need.  While your day to day will vary, you can expect tot be in charge of rehabilitation, providing basic care, administrative tasks, taking patient vitals, giving medications, providing first aid, and assisting in the emergency room.

Please note:  You do have to pay to volunteer with this program.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be 18-70 years old

 

4.  International Medical Relief

VOLUNTEER HERE

International Medical Relief is a 501(c)3 non-profit that was founded in 2002 with the belief that healthcare should be accessible to everyone throughout the world.  Not only does International Medical Relief volunteer with local dentists and doctors within communities, but they also focus on providing education so that missions can be a success long after volunteers are gone.

International Medical Relief began their volunteer work in Cambodia with the goal of improving access to healthcare for those who have little to no access; with an emphasis on preventative care.  According to the World Health Organization, in 2013, there were only seven hospital beds for every 10,000 residents.  Your responsibilities will include treating conditions related to malaria, intestinal parasites, cholera, diarrhea, tuberculosis, yaws, and measles.  You will also help treat conditions of more severe diseases, including tuberculosis and the avian flu.

Please note:  You do have to pay to volunteer with this program.

 

5.  Love Volunteers

LOCATION:  PHNOM PENH | VOLUNTEER HERE

Love Volunteers was started in 2009 by a brother and sister team wanting to bring down the cost of volunteering abroad.  Love Volunteers mission is to serve local communities in developing countries.  In Cambodia, volunteers will primarily be in the two public hospitals in Phnom Penh working in pediatrics.  You will be providing assistance to local doctors and checking in with patients.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• 18+ years old
• Bring own scrubs
• Background check
• Provide references
• Submit resume

 

6.  NEW HOPE International Volunteer

LOCATION:  PHNOM PENH & PURSAT | VOLUNTEER HERE

NEW HOPE International Volunteer is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that empowers disadvantaged communities through sustainable volunteer programs.  NEW HOPE is in 17 different countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Volunteers working with NEW HOPE will be placed in rural areas that are deprived of basic healthcare.  Based on your skill level, your daily activities will include organizing workshops to teach the local community about health and wellness, educating on a variety of health topics, promoting clean living, helping with administrative tasks, physical therapy and rehabilitation, patient exams and vitals, first aid, help with medical procedures, deliver medications and immunizations, etc.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• Proof of professional license
• Resume

 

7.  RCDP International Volunteer

LOCATION:  PHNOM PENH & PURSAT | VOLUNTEER HERE

RCDP International Volunteer is a non-profit humanitarian organization that empowers disadvantaged communities in 18 countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.  In Cambodia, you will work along healthcare staff to provide basic first aid, advising on personal hygiene, administering medications/immunizations, recording vitals, help with family planning, stitching and dressing wounds, helping with administrative tasks, and more.

Please note:  You do have to pay to volunteer with this program.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 8 weeks requirement
• 18+ years old

 

8.  Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital

VOLUNTEER HERE

Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital is a non-profit hospital that improves the health of families and communities by delivery high-quality, patient-centered care, regardless of ability to pay.  Currently, Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital is looking for volunteers in the following fields:  OBGYN, hematology, blood bank, general surgery, pediatric surgery, ENT, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, NICU, and internal medicine.

Please note:  You do have to pay to volunteer with this program.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• International medical insurance

 

9.  Volunteering Solutions

LOCATION:  PHNOM PENH | VOLUNTEER HERE

Volunteering Solutions was founded in 2006 and has since connected over 21,000 volunteers to projects worldwide.  The company operates in over 25 countries, and offers 150+ programs in areas like childcare, healthcare, and conservation.  As a healthcare volunteer in Phnom Penh, your responsibilities will include suturing wounds, giving vaccinations, shadowing doctors on surgeries, routine patient checkups, etc.

Please note:  You do have to pay to volunteer with this program.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• Clean background check
• Required to stay a minimum of 2-weeks
• 18+ years old

 

Cambodia Essentials – What You Need & Needs to Know About Visiting Cambodia

 

If you feel called to work as a medical volunteer, Cambodia is an incredible country to do so.  If you have any questions about traveling through Cambodia or what to expect, let me know in a comment below!

 

For more medical volunteer opportunities in other countries, don’t miss…

• Medical Volunteering in the Philippines
• Medical Volunteering in Malaysia
• Medical Volunteering in Indonesia
• Medical Volunteering in Peru
• Medical Volunteering in Vietnam
• Medical Volunteering in Thailand
• Medical Volunteering in Laos

 

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