Physical Therapists: Volunteer with CMMB in Peru

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Are you a Physical Therapist wanting to make a huge difference to women, children and communities in Peru? Join our team in Trujillo or Huancayo, Peru! Spanish speaking international PT’s join our community healthcare programs to improve the health and well-being of the most vulnerable.

Volunteer Position: Physical Therapist (Spanish fluency required)

Term: 6-12 months

Locations: Huancayo or Trujillo, Peru

Program Description

CMMB - Healthier Lives Worldwide is an international, faith-based NGO providing long-term, co-operative, medical and development aid to communities affected by poverty and unequal access to healthcare. For over a century, we have worked to strengthen and support communities through healthcare programs and initiatives, the distribution of medicines and medical supplies, and the placement of volunteers.

CMMB’s Volunteer Program addresses the critical need for professionals in areas that lack sufficient resources for quality preventive and curative health services, especially for women and children. Our Volunteer Program has placed thousands of practitioners around the world to help develop and implement community health interventions, work at local hospitals and health facilities, conduct clinical training for host country counterparts, and deliver essential medicines and supplies. The ultimate goal of CMMB's Volunteer Program is to support our country teams and local healthcare workers by sending volunteers that are dedicated to strengthening local health systems and supporting a pattern of sustainable development.

CMMB in Peru:

Peru’s recent economic growth hides unjust social inequalities. Development has by‐passed the remote rural regions and chronic malnutrition among children is common. These factors are driven by food insecurities, poverty and inaccessibility to health services. CMMB Peru’s project activities are committed to further reducing malnutrition, anemia, and other determinants of maternal and child morbidity.

CMMB Peru health projects focus on improving the health and nutrition of women, children, and their communities in underserved and marginalized areas including: Distrito Macate, Provincia del Santa, Region Ancash; Distrito de Chilca, Provincia de Huancayo, Region Junín; and Distrito La Esperanza, Provincia de Trujillo, Region La Libertad.

Learn More: https://cmmb.org/country-office/peru/

Placement Site: Trujillo, Peru

Trujillo is located in the north of Peru, the second largest city in the country and known as the cultural capital. The district of La Esperanza is located just outside of Trujillo and to the north on a large sand dune and hosts 151,846 inhabitants.

CMMB Trujillo works with 700 families (1000 días) on issues of maternal and child health, including prevention of/recovery from malnutrition and anemia, and 25 children on community-based rehabilitation. There are 13 staff members in the Trujillo office working with 32 community health workers. The offices have Wi-Fi, work desks, printing facilities, and restrooms.

Learn more: https://cmmb.org/champs-community/trujillo-peru/

Placement Site: Huancayo, Peru

Huancayo is the largest city in the central highlands of Peru, located 3,271 meters above sea level. The whole district of Chilca, where the 1,000 families are located, has 81,835 inhabitants. CMMB works with 1,000 families via CHAMPS and nearly 40 children on community based-rehabilitation. The offices have Wi-Fi, work desks, printing facilities and restrooms. There are 12 staff members in the Huancayo office.

Learn More:
https://cmmb.org/bristol-myers-squibb-foundation-helps-fight-cervical-cancer-diabetes-peru/, https://cmmb.org/champs-community/huancayo-peru/

Duties & Responsibilities

• Work to alleviate patient’s pain, restore physical function, and prevent disabilities by planning and administering physical therapy treatment.
• Consults and coordinates with physicians and other healthcare team members to determine treatment plan.
• Assesses patient's condition and interprets findings to provide appropriate care and build patient care plan.
• Evaluates and records patients progress to ensure efficacy of treatment plan and modify if required.
• Supports patients' treatment plan by teaching exercises, giving massages, and using appropriate equipment.
• Educates patients and families about at home treatment expectations, as well as the recovery process and what to expect.
• Formulate teaching plans based on identified learning needs and evaluate effectiveness of learning; family is included in teaching as appropriate.
• Maintain performance improvement activities within the department.
• Directs and supervises Physical Therapy Assistants and Physical Therapy students as needed.

Qualifications & Skill Requirements:

• Spanish fluency.
• Current license in good standing.
• Masters or Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy
• Ability to collect and analyze pertinent data and/or clinical findings.
• Ability to provide patient educational information appropriate to the developmental level, learning needs, readiness, cultural values, and beliefs of patients and families.
• Ability to recognize and interpret symptoms.
• Capacity to administer treatment to patients while dealing with them in a sympathetic and tactful manner.
• Ability and willingness to provide guidance to staff members.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to physicians, staff and administrative team .
• Knowledge of professional and ethical standards of health care delivery and practice.
• Familiarity and interest in global health issues, especially maternal and child health issues.
• Willingness to endure resource-limited working conditions and evening/weekend hours.

Benefits & Conditions: Each international volunteer who serves 6 months or longer in the field receives a round-trip ticket to their placement site, housing, a monthly stipend, insurance coverage, storytelling and fundraising training, and the opportunity to contribute to vital community development initiatives for under-served populations while building a longstanding legacy for the community. Volunteers are required to share stories from the field and cover part of the cost of their placement through fundraising ($5,000).

Interested? Apply Today!

Contact & Application:

Apply online at: https://cmmb.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Email: volunteer@cmmb.org