Medical, Nursing, And Dentistry Electives (In-Person & Online)

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Recruiting Organization: EcoSwell

EcoSwell is a surfing-inspired sustainable development non-profit (NGO) driving the development of vulnerable Peruvian coastal communities through a path of sustainability. We develop environmental, educational, infrastructure, and socio-economic projects working hand in hand with local communities and international volunteer interns.

The benefits of taking part in this volunteer internship are that it allows you to:

-Enhance your CV and gain professional hands-on experience managing sustainable projects in an international development NGO, having a real and positive impact on a vulnerable community.

-Work with and learn from experienced and passionate professionals from a range of disciplines and backgrounds.

-Live and work in a surfing paradise in northern Peru, the land of endless summer (applicable to our in-person placement).

The precarious socioeconomic and environmental conditions of Lobitos and Talara (the closest city to Lobitos) mean that the local population is exposed to a range of health problems. These include but are not limited to: respiratory problems, infections, viruses, birth control, and sanitation issues. In addition to this, the medical post in Lobitos is not functioning to capacity and the hospital in Talara is understaffed, which leads to demands for medical help and attention not being met. Additionally, there is a severe lack of public health awareness, therefore perpetuating health issues within families. In order to mitigate these impacts, we have established a cooperative Medical & Dentistry volunteering program alongside the Lobitos medical post and the Talara hospital in order to combat these issues.

As part of this volunteering position, medical, dentistry students and/or professional doctors will support the understaffed hospital in Talara and the Medical post in Lobitos in the following specialties: Respiratory, Pediatrics, Infections, Gynecology, General Practice and Dermatology. With the guidance of the EcoSwell team, volunteers will also design and implement educational public health initiatives in Lobitos for the local population in relation to the identified challenges in order to raise awareness.

Medical Elective interns will be supported by the EcoSwell staff and local health practitioners who will be there to supervise when required. Volunteers will need to spend at least one month with us, time in which they will spend half of their placement in Talara helping at the hospital and the second half, carrying out the public health education initiatives in Lobitos and helping at the Lobitos medical post.

Time commitments: for the in-person program are from 9am until 5pm. The online program can be adjusted to the students schedule.

- Day to day responsibilities: for the in-person program volunteer interns will need to support staff at the medical post of Lobitos. They won't be able to treat patients themselves and they will be supervised at all times. They will be shadowing various nurses and medical staff at the medical post, providing support on work that may need helping out with. The online program will focus on medical research and will be supervised by our head of research. Regular online catchups will be had to discuss the project topic and progress.

- Desired candidate qualifications: in-person program and online programs require students who are studying medicine or a field related to it. Students won't be ask to take part in activities in which they may be out of their depth.

These positions are available to medical and dentistry students who are in their clinical years and qualified doctors. We also ask for:

- At least an intermediate ( B1 or equivalent) level of Spanish. This is essential for communication with staff in the hospital and medical post.

- Minimum age 18.

- Basic experience or strong motivation to work as part of a team away from home.

- Medicine at Final year of university level.

However, the most important thing is that you have an open mind, a positive attitude and willingness to learn!

In-person Financial contribution

We require a financial contribution from volunteer interns. Bank transfer costs are included as well as the one off donation. Please bear in mind that there is a minimum of a 2 week stay at EcoSwell and maximum can be up to 6 months or more!

Two weeks (price per week $490) = $980

Three weeks (price per week $482) = $1,446

Four weeks (price per week $482) = $1,928

Five weeks (price per week $469) = $2,345

Six weeks (price per week $469) = $2,814

Eight weeks (price per week $469) = $3,752

12 weeks (price per week $448) = $5,376

Online Placement Financial contribution

The financial contribution required from volunteer interns for our online position is 33% less than that of our in person placement - please see details below.

Two weeks (price per week $335) = $670

Three weeks (price per week $330) = $989

Four weeks (price per week $330) = $1,319

Five weeks (price per week $321) = $1,605

Six weeks (price per week $321) = $1,926

Eight weeks (price per week $321) = $2,568

12 weeks (price per week $307) = $3,684

The financial contribution you make as an volunteer intern helps us plant a tree with community families in Lobitos with the volunteers at EcoSwell and the families engaging as well.

Stipend ProvidedFalse

Training ProvidedFalse

Housing AvailableFalse

Language/Cultral Support AvailableFalse

Wheelchair AccessibleFalse

Fee Required

Fee Amount: None

This opportunity is recurring