Medical internship
Our medical program takes place in the Andes, the coast and the Galapagos Islands. The hospitals are mainly public run by the government or by foundations but they all have in common that they many times are in need of help and therefore gladly except an extra hand from volunteers and interns. For pre-med students and med students it is an excellent chance to see, learn and help and for professional doctors and nurses it is a chance to help patients in their area of of specialization.
The program
The participants will be working side by side with the doctors and nurses in different areas of the hospital. They normally start in the emergency room and after that they move on to other areas like pediatrics, obstetrics, internal medicine, surgery etc depending on where help is needed and on the participants interest . They will learn how to take vital signs, do minor suturing, remove stitches, take blood samples etc. Exactly what the participants will do also depends on their Spanish level and their knowledge/education.
They might go to the operation room and see surgeries and they can always ask questions if they have any.
Sometimes they can chose to work either mornings or afternoons but most common is that the participants work the whole day and sometimes they also chose to stay and work even on the weekends or at night if they get the chance.
Experienced doctors and nurses will help with what is needed or in what they are specialized in and if they feel comfortable enough and the medical staff wants to they might be able to hold seminars, inform them on different working procedures etc.
The participants need to bring a white lab coat to work in and a scrub if they want to go to the operation room. Without these they will not be allowed to start their work. If they don't have a chance to bring this from home they can buy it in Quito Monday to Friday.
If participants want and can bring things to give the hospital or clinic they will work at it is a great idea and we can let them know what is needed most.
Getting there
Participants go alone or with other participants but they will be taken to the bus station to make sure they get the right bus. On arrival somebody from the host family meets them at the bus station. For participants that are going to Manglaralto, they will be picked up in Puerto Lopez by our driver that takes them to Manglaralto and the host family.
Travel time to the different cities are:
Esmeraldas - about 6 hours with night bus.
Ibarra - about 3 hours with night bus.
Ambato - about 3 hours.
Cotacachi - about 3,5 hours.
Manglaralto - about 12 hours
Accommodation
Participants will live with a host family where they have a private room and a shared bathroom. They will have 3 meals and lunch can be either with the family or at the hospital. Depending on what family they stay with they will normally have 10 to 30 minuter walking or the same time by bus to get to the hospital.
Location
QuitoIbarra
Esmeraldas
Manglaralto
Cotacachi
Ambato
Requirements
Intermediate Spanish recommended.
CV or RESUME.
Interest in working with people and in medicine.
The participants need to bring a white lab coat and a scrub.
Open-mindedness to work and live in a different culture.