Both healthcare and medical volunteers may be placed in local hospitals, clinics, elder homes or related institutions that are located both in the city of Cuzco.
The healthcare placement is suitable for students of health science, students in nursing school, pre-med students and students in their first two years of medical school. Healthcare volunteers will be involved in tasks such as providing companionship, distributing medications, leading workshops, leading discussions or leading arts and crafts and related activities for elders or people with disabilities. Volunteers in this placement may also partake in dental or physical therapy placements (previous experience in these fields are required).
The medical placement is suitable for both licensed medical professionals as well as students in their third or fourth year of medical school. Volunteers in the medical placement may be involved in more hands-on tasks such as taking vital signs, updating patient records, shadowing other medical professionals, partaking in medical campaigns and vaccination programs and/or assisting with check-ups and triage.
Some of your tasks may include:
- Providing companionship for patients
- Distributing medications
- Assisting with general check-ups
- Taking vital signs
- Organizing and updating patient records
- Shadowing medical staff
Please note: Volunteer activities depend on previous experience, training and language skills.
Medical professional volunteers are typically placed at a national clinic for primary and emergency care, or in an assisted living facility. Due to medical laws, professional volunteers are not allowed to practice fully and freely, however your help can greatly benefit the projects still.
Medical professionals can expect to do the following in their placement:
– Work alongside a nurse, doctor, therapist, or other medical professional with consultations
– Do triage, clean wounds, draw blood samples, give sutures and injections
– Provide general care and companionship to patients (talking, feeding, bathing)
– Distribute or sort medicine, teach patients about their medicine
– Clean or prepare materials and equipment, including changing beds
– Assist with administrative work and filing, recording patient data
Typical Schedule: Volunteers will work 3-4 hours per day, either a morning or afternoon shift, Monday-Friday. Schedules are subject to change depending on the current needs of the program.
Holidays: While the project remains open throughout the year, activities and volunteer schedules may vary on the holidays. For specific dates, please consult with our placement coordinators.
Christmas Week
Program Dates: Monday 23-Dec to Friday 27-Dec
Housing Dates: Sunday 22-Dec to Saturday 28-Dec
New Years Eve Week
Program Dates: Monday 30-Dec to Friday 03-Jan
Housing Dates: Sunday 29-Dec to Saturday 04-Jan
Please note, our institutes will be closed on December 25th and January 1st, there will be no project placements available during these days either. Both of these would be 4 day volunteer programs, instead of the usual 5 days.
