Description

Bolivia is a great place to intern abroad on a medical internship in South America. Interns on our Medicine & Healthcare internship work at various Centros de Salud - public health clinics that are open to everyone living in Cochabamba regardless of their ability to pay. Since the facilities are basic, the clinics mostly attend to minor emergencies, accidents and routine visits. There isn't enough funding to maintain the facilities in complete working order or provide the hospital with sufficient staff or materials. As an intern you will be able to observe many types of health issues while working in facilities that are very different to what you're used to back home.

At the Centros de Salud, you have the opportunity to intern in a variety of departments; possible options include nursing, pediatrics, gynecology, admissions and pharmacy work. You can also get involved in the local community by assisting in vaccination programs and dental health campaigns that the clinics organize throughout the year.

The Burns Unit in the Hospital of Cochabamba treats children from 0 to 15 years old. Around 200 patients pass through their doors each year. With fifteen beds - three in the intensive care unit - and quite basic medical facilities, you'll find there is a lot to take in.

The doctors often have to reuse bandages and the intensive care unit lacks respirators and monitoring equipment, though the staff remains extremely dedicated. Currently, our supervisor is the senior resident doctor and other members of staff include a nurse and her assistant, three interns, two physical therapists and an anesthetist.

Highlights

Aside from your observational work at the clinic, your assistance may be needed with basic duties such as making beds, bathing and lifting the children onto beds and into wheelchairs. Equally important are the basic medical tasks such as bandaging, taking blood pressure, and dressing wounds. The doctor may also need help in the surgery room, passing equipment and monitoring patients. This international medical internship is ideal for people who are already qualified or currently studying medicine or nursing. If you do not have any previous experience or qualifications, your role will be limited to that of an observational intern.

The Burns Unit can only take interns who are able to commit to working with them for three months or more. The Centros de Salud are happy to have interns from a month onwards.

Interns on the Medicine & Healthcare internship will need intermediate Spanish in order to communicate directly with the majority of doctors and patients. However, we can arrange a translator for interns who do not have sufficient Spanish language skills. Many interns who lack confidence in their Spanish normally take a Language course or join a Teaching or Care project before beginning their Medicine & Healthcare internship. This gives you the opportunity to improve your language skills before starting the medical part of your internship.

Qualifications

No experience or qualifications are necessary.

Intern Types

• Medicine
• Nursing
• Health Sciences
• Pharmaceuticals
• Physical Therapy

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range

16-70

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992