Description

Volunteer public health nurses will arrive at the clinic and check in for the day. They will start their day by helping the nurses take vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate) and weigh the pregnant woman. During this time, they will also be able to give educational material to patients and their caregivers and if possibly take them through the data, as one of the main aims of the clinic is to educate the public, thus hoping to improve the health in the community.
Volunteers can become involved with HIV testing and the documentation of the results of the tests. Experienced volunteers may be able to help counsel patients with respect to test results and the need not to loose hope in life after acquiring HIV/Aids. It would be one of the duties of the public health nurse to help to educate the infected on the need to take anti retro viral drugs in order to remain healthy.
The public health nurse may also be asked to help prepare vitamin packages for the pregnant woman and do other jobs in the pharmacy such as, help to educate the public on the hazards of drug abuse and/or the need to take all prescribed medication as directed, even if feeling better -- explaining in detail why this is important.
There will be outreach programs organized and implemented by the volunteer public health nurses, at the clinic, to the communities, on Cholera, HIV/AIDS, Diarrhea, Tuberculosis, the importance of Immunization and other topics that the staff and the volunteers feel is warranted.
There may also be administrative duties for volunteers to perform. These will range from health record updates to processing insurance claims. These duties are usually done near the end of the day.

Volunteers may have the opportunity to develop educational sessions for the women. These sessions may be focused on pre, ante, and postnatal care. Volunteers as public health nurses are also welcome to go on outreach services to the markets and schools. The clinic staff encourages volunteers to initiate projects and programs.

Highlights

Volunteers are always welcome and needed in this busy, high paced clinic. The clinic provides services for many women and the staff need help moving patients efficiently through the different clinical areas.
The Salvation Army is important in Accra because there is a lack of resources in the area for pregnant women. Although hospitals and clinics are available, these are usually not affordable for the general population. The Salvation Army supports women who may not have access to safe and hygienic places to give birth. Ghana has a high rate of child mortality thus the work that this organization accomplishes is very important for both mothers and newborn babies.
Volunteers are also needed to help give educational sessions to patients and the community. Information about pre and post-natal care, breastfeeding and HIV prevention are very applicable topics for the types of patients this clinic takes care of. General talks on malaria, nutrition, hand hygiene, and sexual health are also valuable.
This clinic would benefit greatly from the assistance of volunteers who are interested in the health care field and are willing to help wherever needed.

Qualifications

Volunteers do not need to have a medical background for this placement but it would be beneficial. Volunteers with an interest in obstetrics and gynecology will find this placement very rewarding. Public health nurses would have vast experiences in various areas of patient care and at the same time help to relieve some of the workload on the very dedicated staff.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

• Medicine
• Nursing

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 3.245 for 8 weeks; USD 205 each additional wk.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Upon arrival in country our staff will pick you up at the airport and return you to our Orientation Center for a safety briefing and general country orientation. For this program you are required to complete one - 4 weeks of language training and orientation which is included in the cost of the program. At the end of that week you will transfer to your placement to begin volunteering. Our staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you require help of any kind.

Experience Required

yes

Volunteers should be outgoing, confident, hard working, and have good communication skills. Volunteers who want to provide patient care and have a desire to learn about the medical system in Ghana would be an excellent candidate for this position. Volunteers willing to learn the local language and practice speaking it, often find that they are able to participate in more activities. Although not mandatory,(as many people speak English), learning a bit of the local language can help a volunteer become better immersed within the culture.

Volunteer Types

• Health
• Health Care
• Health Education
• Hospital
• Medicine
• Nursing

Typical Volunteer

We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of Depends on the placement

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Typically The Application Process Time is

24-48 hrs

Basecamp International Centers's Mission Statement

We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded

1998