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: The project operates year-round, but volunteer schedules may vary during holidays. Please consult with our placement coordinators following registration for specific holiday dates. Note that our institutes are closed on December 25th and January 1st, with no project placements available on these days. Volunteer programs during these weeks will run for four days instead of the usual five.
