Medical Careership - Venezuela

The southern region of Venezuela is an incredibly rich and beautiful landscape complete with virgin rainforests, the country's famous 'tepuis' or flat-topped mountains, and towering waterfalls. Here various indigenous tribes help create a vibrant mix of cultures, languages, food, and art. The opportunity to live and work in this unique environment-while gaining valuable medical skills and knowledge- sets this medical careership apart from the rest.

This project is primarily designed for pre-university or elective medical students / health professionals, but also students taking, or planning to take, specialist medical courses such as biomedical science, nursing and physiotherapy. Training or practicing midwives are particularly welcome, although this placement can be tailored to suit most individuals' abilities and ambitions.

You will experience the stark contrast between modern, western medical practice and the realities of medicine in developing countries. Sadly, due to a lack of health resources and personnel you will see patients whose conditions have been left untreated and have therefore developed to an advanced pathological stage uncommon in developed countries. By supporting local doctors and nurses you can help care for patients in need while broadening your medical experience.

Depending on your interest you may get involved in the following activities:

* Observing and/or directly assisting doctors and nurses on their rounds.
* According to abilities and experience, you may be assisting in surgeries and treatments, as well as comforting patients, performing basic tasks such as placing bandages and taking measurements like temperature and blood pressure.
* There are a number of opportunities for anyone thinking of taking up nursing or midwifery or already training to become a nurse or midwife.
* Our physiotherapy programs enable you to help disabled children and adults to lead as normal lives as possible. Whether you have experience in rehabilitation or not you can assist therapists at our centre for disabled children.

Whatever area of medicine you focus in you are guaranteed to grow your medical knowledge in a completely different cultural setting.

You will be given instructions to get from Caracas international airport to the project site, a bus journey of 18 hours which costs around 10 Euros. You can request a pick-up service to take you from the airport to the bus terminal. Alternatively, you can take a domestic flight to Puerto Ordaz to cut down on travel time.

The most popular option amongst volunteers is to stay at the Cooperative Living facility. Here you can swim in the small pool, share a meal, play volleyball, football or frisbee, use the gym or relax in our hammock area with spectacular views! The facilities include shared bedrooms (private bedrooms available at an extra cost), bathrooms, kitchen and recreational facilities. 3 meals per day including snacks & refreshments prepared and served by volunteers themselves.

There is also the option to stay with a local host family, rent a private apartment in town, or even stay with a local indigenous tribe. Please discuss the options with us when applying.

This placement is particularly suited to medical students in their second to fourth years, and for electives. The key requirements for a medical volunteer or intern are initiative, enthusiasm, and readiness to work in unfamiliar circumstances.

The hospital requires you to present a doctor's certificate with the following tests: faeces, urine, uraemia, crestinaemia, complete haematological test, glucose, HIV, and VDRL.
* Min age 18
* Minimum 1 month commitment
* Reasonable physical fitness
* Motivation to work in the Health sector
* Basic - Intermediate Spanish (Lessons available)
* Letter of recommendation from your tutor or previous employer
* Full travel & medical insurance
* Necessary vaccinations
* Necessary flights and visas

Fee:

 €784 Euros Project Fee for the first month (price staggered for each additional week) + £249 GBP Placement Fee
 

What's Included:

Project Fee includes all food, accommodation, orientation, 24 hour support andproject activities

We charge a flat, one-off Placement Fee of £249 GBP per person per project. This covers our costs for promoting the project and providing our services. We offer full pre-departure support (for all necessary flights, visas and vaccinations) and ongoing assistance throughout your placement.
 

What's not included:

Flights, insurance, visas (if applicable) and vaccinations. Full assistance will be provided in getting all these sorted.