Description

There is a shortage of skilled physiotherapists and occupational therapists in Thailand. If you're currently training, recently qualified in physiotherapy or occupational therapy, or on a career break, you'll provide valuable support and training to the staff and children at a special education centre or hospital.

You will find that the experience you can gain on this volunteer physiotherapy or occupational therapy placement will let you gain a detailed overview of how the system works in Thailand, while also giving you hands on experience delivering physiotherapy or occupational therapy treatment.

You will work alongside one of the local staff and depending on your experience you may be given groups of children or adults to work with independently. You may even be asked to work with your own individual patients and could spend some time passing on your skills to fellow staff.

You'll go home safe in the knowledge that you've made a real and lasting contribution to this project and the people it serves. This programme is also a chance to improve your CV - gaining experience difficult to get in the west - and helping the children and teenagers at the institutions.

* Volunteering Abroad on a Physiotherapy Placement

As a physiotherapy volunteer you'll work in the physiotherapy department of a hospital in Surat Thani or Trang or at a special education centre in Krabi.

The work in the hospitals involves a variety of areas including electro-muscular therapy, work in the physical exercise room and treating the patients on the ward in their beds.

The most commons problems that the patients have are leg fractures, lumbar syndrome (back pains), cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory complications and soft tissue disorders. You may also be able to help or observe with other specialist clinics, such as dementia and diabetes.

The physiotherapy departments of the hospitals receive over 1000 patients per month so there will be plenty of work to keep you busy. Volunteers can also help demonstrate basic exercises to the patients families to be continued after the patient leaves hospital.

The special education centre has been established by the government to provide integrated educational and social opportunities for children with special needs. The children are aged from babies to 19 year olds and are split into groups depending on their needs. The physiotherapists at the centre work directly with children who have a variety of physical and multiple handicaps.

If you work at the special education centre the staff would appreciate help with general educational activities during the morning. Most of the physiotherapy work takes place after lunch between 1 and 4pm.

Physiotherapy volunteers who want to work in one of the hospitals need to commit to a minimum of two months on the programme. In Krabi at the special education centre volunteers need to work for at least one month. All physiotherapy volunteers need at least six months worth of experience.

* Volunteer Occupational Therapy in Thailand

Volunteer occupational therapists will work in the occupational therapy department of Surat Thani hospital or Trang hospital, both about two hours drive from Krabi. The staff at the departments care for patients with a wide variety of physical disabilities to help them carry on with their daily lives.

Thailand became a member of the world federation of occupational therapists in 2002. The number of working therapists is still low and your personal experiences and knowledge will be welcomed.

Occupational therapy volunteers work with patients with a range of problems including physical disabilities, visual or hearing impairment, autism, children with communication difficulties or behavioural and emotional problems. There are several qualified occupational therapists at each hospital.

Volunteers will rotate between working in the therapy room and sensory integration room and focus on activities for improving daily life skills. Volunteers can gain experience in paediatrics, orthopaedics and hand therapy.

Volunteers may sometimes accompany local staff on home visits and can get involved in providing support to children who are in mainstream schools, and educational programmes to prepare the children for school.

Occupational Therapy volunteers need to commit to a minimum of two months on the programme and have at least six months of relevant experience.

Qualifications

An open mind and desire to travel

Intern Types

• Physical Therapy
• Occupational, Envir. Health

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Disability Issues
• Handicapped
• Health
• Health Care
• Medicine

Age Range

16-80

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 or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• 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