Health Services

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Health Services (Servicios de Salud)

The Health ServicesArea strives to attain the "right to health" for children and their families in the South of Quito through education, health promotion and relationship building with local health centers. The Department operates CENIT´s Market Health Promotion Project and Infirmary in the markets of Chiriyacu-Camal and San Roque.

The Market Health Promotion Project advocates for the health of children and their families by helping them access local health services and navigate the Ecuadorian healthcare system. The project involves accompanying patients to their appointments, organizing health events to screen the adult population for hypertension and diabetes, and performing developmental assessments and medical check-ups for the children in CENIT´s educational programs.

The Infirmary works to ensure the well-being of the students and families at CENIT. Activities include the provision of first aid, basic physical checks for students (carried out twice a year), discussions with families on topics related to hygiene, dental care, and nutrition, and the implementation of health related workshops for children and their families. The infirmary also provides first aid trainings for staff and volunteers and liaisons with local health centers to provide specialized care and follow-up.

The Health Services team includes: Health Services Coordinator, Patient Advocate Volunteer, Pediatric Nurse, and 2 Health Promotion Volunteers.

Health Services Coordinator

Overview:

As the Health Services Coordinator, you are responsible for all operations of CENIT´s Health Services Department and will have the freedom to develop new projects which will help improve the health of the population we serve.

Responsibilities:

• Supervise the activities of volunteers on the Health Services Team.
• Liaison with the school nurse to provide first aid to the students at CENIT.
• Organize medical events in the market to screen the adult population for hypertension and diabetes.
• Work with the Market Health Promotion team to carry out developmental and basic medical assessments on the children aged less than 5 years in the Rescate program.
• Conduct assessments for children in CENIT’s programs to identify any significant developmental delays.
• Manage the department´s budget.
• Assist in recruitment of future volunteers.
• Maintain relationships with local health centers.

Qualifications:

• Minimum commitment of 6 months. 1 year preferred.
• Intermediate level of Spanish required; Advanced Spanish preferred.
• Medical or public health background with an interest in child and women´s health.
• Organizational and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Strong level of commitment and motivation in working with disadvantaged and low-income populations.

Cost and Support from the CENIT Community:

We ask each volunteer for a one-time contribution of $100. In exchange, you will receive daily lunch, a CENIT T-shirt and the support of a full-time volunteer coordinator. Your contribution also supports the administrative costs of the volunteer office and the sustainability of our programs.

Health Promotion Volunteer (Market Health Promotion Project)

Overview:

As a Health Promotion Volunteer, you will carry out screening programs, public health workshops, assist the local population in accessing necessary treatment and monitor the well-being of patients. If you want to gain wide exposure working with diverse age groups in the area of public health and are a self-starter ready to take initiative, this is an excellent opportunity for you!

Responsibilities:

• Provide information on nutrition, hygiene and health prevention topics.
• Inform people of local health services available to them.
• Organize health fairs to monitor blood pressure, height, weight and blood glucose.
• Design and implement health workshops for children, parents and CENIT staff.
• Conduct assessments for children in CENIT’s programs to identify any significant developmental delays.

Qualifications:

• Minimum commitment of 3 months.
• Intermediate level of Spanish required; advanced Spanish preferred.
• Interest in public health or health promotion; medical experience preferred.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Cost and Support from the CENIT Community:

We ask each volunteer for a one-time contribution of $100. In exchange, you will receive daily lunch, a CENIT T-shirt and the support of a full-time volunteer coordinator. Your contribution also supports the administrative costs of the volunteer office and the sustainability of our programs.

Patient Advocate Volunteer (Market Health Promotion Project)

Overview:

As a Patient Advocate Volunteer, you will work closely with Ecuadorian staff in the markets to identify disadvantaged indigenous and mestizo families who need help accessing local health services. Many of these families speak Spanish as their second language (Kichwa is their first), and require assistance in accessing local health services.

If you are interested in social work, experiencing a different health system and reducing barriers to accessing healthcare, this is an excellent opportunity for you!

Responsibilities:

• Work with CENIT’s social worker to identify disadvantaged indigenous and mestizo families who are in need of health assistance.
• Assist families in navigating the Ecuadorian healthcare system. Tasks include: scheduling appointments; accompanying patients to their medical appointments; ensuring the advice given by the doctor is communicated appropriately and sufficiently; and organizing follow-up when required.
• Collaborate with local health centers to plan health promotion workshops and other events in the markets.
• Assist the Health Promotion volunteers in organizing health fairs.
• Help strengthen the relationship between the local health centers and the disadvantaged populations they serve in the Chiriyacu-Camal and San Roque markets.

Qualifications:

• Minimum commitment of 6 months; 1 year preferred.
• Advanced level of Spanish required. Kichwa is an added bonus.
• Enthusiasm for working with people.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Interest in human rights, social work and health.

Cost and Support from the CENIT Community:

We ask each volunteer for a one-time contribution of $100. In exchange, you will receive daily lunch, a CENIT T-shirt and the support of a full-time volunteer coordinator. Your contribution also supports the administrative costs of the volunteer office and the sustainability of our programs.

Pediatric Nurse Volunteer (Infirmary)

Overview:

As a Pediatric Nurse Volunteer, you will serve as an important part of the CENIT team with responsibility for the health services at CENIT’s Infirmary. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone seeking the chance to gain clinical and public health experience, while making a real difference in the lives of children and their families.

Responsibilities:

• Provide first aid and basic medical care to children who attend CENIT´s school and extracurricular programs.
• Monitor the height, weight and general health of the children.
• Assist families in scheduling medical appointments.
• Schedule a gynecologist to provide check-ups for adolescent girls, and accompany them to medical appointments.
• Teach CENIT staff and volunteers the fundamentals of first aid.
• Conduct health-related workshops.

Qualifications:

• Minimum commitment of 6 months; 1 year preferred.
• Advanced level of Spanish required.
• Minimum of 1 year clinical experience.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Cost and Support from the CENIT Community:

We ask each volunteer for a one-time contribution of $100. In exchange, you will receive daily lunch, a CENIT T-shirt and the support of a full-time volunteer coordinator. Your contribution also supports the administrative costs of the volunteer office and the sustainability of our programs.