The hospital is often considered an area where sickness looms, but it’s much more than that.
It’s been said that when you feel low, once you give off kindness and demonstrate compassion, it automatically brightens your mood, and this is true, especially for those that work in the hospital environment.
It’s where you can put a smile on the lips of people going through the worst phase of their lives.
A hospital is like an area where different whirlwinds of emotions permeate. There are classes of patients who will recover, those that never use their legs or arms again, and those that never make it out alive. Spending time with these people makes volunteering in hospitals abroad worthwhile.
A hospital volunteer abroad works in a hospital without regular wages. Pre med volunteer abroad primarily donate their time and skills to help the hospital and community. They help the hospital run smoothly and allow doctors and nurses to focus on providing the best healthcare for their patients and visitors.
If everyone who volunteers in a hospital is asked why they do it, you’d realize people’s reasons differ. Before we go into that, check the table of content below.
Table of contents
- Why Volunteer at Hospitals?
- What Skills Do You Need to Volunteer at a Hospital?
- The Best Volunteering Opportunities in Hospitals in 2023
- 1. Medical Volunteering Program in Peru.
- 2. Medical Volunteering Program in South Africa.
- 3. Medical Volunteering Program in Costa Rica.
- 4. Medical Volunteering Program in Tanzania.
- 5. Medical Volunteering Program in Cambodia.
- 6. Medical Volunteering Program in Thailand.
- 7. Medical Volunteering Program in Ghana.
- 8. Medical Volunteering in Kenya.
- 9. Medical Volunteering Program in Uganda.
- 10. Medical Volunteering Program in the Philippines.
- 11. Medical and Nursing Program in Sri Lanka. (Valium)
- 12. Medical Internship Program in Vietnam.
- 13. Health Volunteer Programs in Ecuador.
- 14. Health Volunteer Programs in Bali.
- 15. Health Volunteer Opportunity in St. Lucia
- Conclusion
- References:
Why Volunteer at Hospitals?
1. Making Connections
People’s connections are one of the first benefits of volunteering. You may make new friends, acquire a mentor, and build connections with community members.
While you will comfortably come into contact with other volunteers, you may also build relationships with hospital employees, patients, and visitors.
If your interests lie in clinical areas, you may be able to find a physician or nurse who will give you a chance to job-shadow or who will discuss the pros and cons of the work they do.
2. Your Health
Pre med volunteer abroad also benefit physically and emotionally from the work they do. Volunteering in hospitals abroad can help to fight depression, and anxiety, decrease long-term pain, reduce the symptoms of heart disease, and may help to rejuvenate creativity.
Research reviewed by the Corporation for National and Community Service indicates that those who volunteer have lower mortality rates and greater functional ability later in life than those who don’t.
Also, hospitals often offer educational programs about health conditions that volunteers can attend and benefit from without paying for them.
3. Helping Others:
Been a pre med volunteer abroad gives you the needed platform to reach out to those in need in a large manner, especially if it’s one of the things you may have wanted to do – giving care.
Those in the hospital have a lot they can no longer do on their own and would primarily benefit from your help and will be grateful for that.
4. Enjoy a Meaningful Conversation
Most times, staying at home doesn’t help anyone, and that’s where volunteering comes in.
It allows you to enjoy beautiful conversations from which you can learn a lot, air your views, and discover similarities you may share with someone you’ve never had to share with anyone.
5. Explore New Areas of Interest
You can see firsthand how things run in the hospital, especially if you’ve always wanted to witness that personally.
6. Strengthen Your Resume.
Getting employment as a health practitioner, especially in the far future if you’re just a medical student or willing to work as a health practitioner, you will need recommendations and work experience which you would have gotten from volunteering.
Check this out: 17 Best Volunteering Opportunities In New York In 2023
What are the Duties of Hospital Volunteers Abroad?
Volunteers support hospitals in many essential ways, including manning the information desk or gift shop, sorting mail, staying around patients, raising funds, or working on the board of directors.
CMDs, CEOs, managers of volunteers, and volunteers themselves place the highest value on the contributions of volunteers to the quality of patient care.
Volunteers play a significant role in hospitals these days. They help the hospital operate smoothly and allow doctors and nurses to spend their time streamlined on providing the best healthcare for their patients.
Volunteers assist hospital employees in taking care of patients and visitors in the following ways:
- Transport patients around using a wheelchair, especially those who can’t move independently.
- Clerical duties at the front desk are beneficial.
- They point to directions or escort visitors of the patients – their relatives or friends, around the hospital vicinity.
- They can act as a cashier, fill inventory, or answer the telephone at the front desk.
- Assist patients with their needs and give physical and emotional support throughout their recovery.
- Assist in keeping supplies stocked in essential areas, as assigned, and changing hospital bed linens.
- Notifies the volunteer coordinator of changes that may compromise the health and safety of patients, guests, and employees. Responds to all codes as appropriate.
- They may perform practical tasks in the ward, like tidying up, doing tea and food rounds, and assisting patients to eat during mealtimes for those who can’t eat independently.
- Volunteers can relieve patients’ boredom or be a welcome distraction from feeling unwell. As well as contributing to a patient’s general well-being in the hospital, this support can significantly impact their recovery.
What Skills Do You Need to Volunteer at a Hospital?
These skills are required of anyone volunteering at hospitals, especially abroad.
1. Patient Care:
Patient care comprises diagnosing, recovering, and controlling sickness while maintaining physical and emotional well-being.
This is how Patient Care is used in hospital-volunteer work:
You need experience in the emergency department with nurses and doctors, especially concerning patient care and hospital administration. Also, you should have joined inpatient rounds to collect data about patient care satisfaction.
Similarly, an experience in a fast-paced hospital atmosphere and administering precise patient care. Likewise, a summer volunteer patient representative in charge of hospitality and patient care will also be helpful.
It will also help if you’ve delivered limited direct patient care, responded to patient call buttons, and recorded patient concerns relaying requests to nursing staff before now or have garnered experience in patient care through moving patients using a wheelchair, pointing out directions, and giving solace to patients and family.
Also read: Top 13 Dentistry Volunteering Programs Abroad In 2023
2. Supporting Hospital Staff.
People volunteering at hospitals abroad hIt would help if you had assisted nurses by providing help before in the Cardiac Department, which included staying with patients and giving them snacks.
Also, if you volunteered or assisted with the Cardiac intensive care unit, helping hospital staff with supplies and caring for patients, helped nurses with maintaining patient resting levels by answering their requests.
It will be a plus if you know how to insert a catheter, or wound cleaning, administer patients, discharge patients before, restock food in patient freezers, and keep the leftover drugs in syringes and drug containers in the drug fridge also.
3. Vital Signs
Vital signs are an estimated measurement of the body’s most needed functions, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiration rate.
It’s one of the essential things a volunteer should be able to do in the hospital. They use instruments like; a thermometer for checking, blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer, and pulse rate using a stopwatch, the same as how a respiration rate is assessed.
4. ICU-intensive Care Units.
The ICU handles patients experiencing acute illnesses or severe injuries requiring specialized treatment procedures by specific healthcare practitioners.
As a Volunteer for hospitals, it would help if you could deliver gifts and presents from patients’ families to patients in ICU.
You’ll help answer calls around the ICU as it’s a busy place where they may not have time. And also if you’ve helped get patients who needed properties when transferred to the ICU.
5. Hospital Gift Shop:
If you’ve operated a hospital gift shop before, it can help you as a hospital volunteer.
6. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or CPR
This can be defined as chest compressions and oxygen breathing into a patient who just had a cardiac arrest to help resuscitate the patient.
CPR is a lifesaving procedure that is used in an emergency.
Having experience from doing this before can help you as a volunteer, especially if you were once in an association like the red cross and have a certification for that too.
You can find opportunities to volunteer through the internet using Google. Google is your friend, all the time and every time. You can easily assess for Volunteering opportunities abroad there.
Also, you can ask health practitioners around you, like nurses and doctors, or any nearby hospital.
Read: WHY IS VOLUNTEERING IMPORTANT? 10 BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING ABROAD
The Best Volunteering Opportunities in Hospitals in 2023
These are the best volunteering opportunities at hospitals abroad.
1. Medical Volunteering Program in Peru.
You’ll mainly be assisting the professional doctor-in-charge, shadowing & assisting in different medical procedures.
Being a medical volunteer in Cusco, you’ll get to work at the health care centers and clinics (which often have inadequate staff & doctors) to provide care and support to the natives.
Depending on your medical experience and Spanish language skills, you may be asked to assist with various procedures such as suturing wounds, giving vaccinations, helping with taking vital signs of patients, being involved in the daily procedures of medical centers, observing or directly providing various sorts of assistance to existing doctors and nurses.
Location: Cusco
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background. (Pre-Medical, Medical, and Nursing students, as well as Medical Professionals, are welcome to join. Participants with other qualifications in the medical field, such as CAN, EMT can also join the program)
Duration: Minimum two weeks – maximum of 24 weeks
2. Medical Volunteering Program in South Africa.
The clinics offer various awareness and support programs, including HIV / AIDS awareness, special childcare, healthy living (nutrition & diet), and day-to-day medical care.
Location: Cape Town
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background. (Pre-Medical, Medical, and Nursing students, as well as Medical Professionals, are welcome to join. Participants with other qualifications in the medical field, such as CAN, EMT can also join the program)
Duration: Minimum two weeks – maximum of 24 weeks
3. Medical Volunteering Program in Costa Rica.
If you choose to be a medical volunteer in Costa Rica, you’ll work with small private and semi-private clinics and pharmacies alongside other doctors and nurses.
You’ll mainly shadow the professionals and perform basic functions like checking blood pressure, temperature, weight, etc.
You can also conduct healthcare campaigns in the local communities, spreading awareness.
Location: San Jose
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background (Pre-Medical, Medical, and Nursing students, as well as Medical Professionals, are welcome to join)
Duration: Minimum 1 week – maximum of 24 weeks
4. Medical Volunteering Program in Tanzania.
You can either work at the health care centers, medical clinics, and dispensaries in and around Arusha or in the hospitals of Zanzibar, where the staff is mostly inadequate.
As a volunteer, your major task would be shadowing the professionals and assisting them whenever needed.
Depending on your skills, you’ll be assigned work like suturing wounds, giving vaccinations, etc.
Location: Arusha and Zanzibar
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background (Pre-Medical, Medical, and Nursing students, as well as Medical Professionals, are welcome to join)
Duration: Minimum 1 week – maximum of 24 weeks (Arusha) and a maximum of 12 weeks (Zanzibar).
5. Medical Volunteering Program in Cambodia.
As a volunteer for this hospital volunteering abroad projects, you will be placed at local city hospitals and clinics in Phnom Penh, where professional doctors and nurses will guide you at every step.
Volunteers usually shadow the doctors; tasks are assigned per your knowledge and experience.
The basic work at the clinics would involve suturing wounds, giving vaccinations, etc.
You will also need to be actively involved in the hospital’s daily procedures, taking ward rounds, maintaining files, and doing routine patient check-ups like measuring blood pressure, checking fever, etc.
Location: Phnom Penh
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background (Pre-Medical, Medical, and Nursing students, as well as Medical Professionals, are welcome to join)
Duration: Minimum two weeks – maximum of 24 weeks
Read: 13 Best Veterinary Volunteering Opportunities in 2023
6. Medical Volunteering Program in Thailand.
You’ll be working in rural communities, helping the local professionals in their day-to-day patient treatment procedures.
Apart from working in the local communities, you can also do home visits for health check-ups. If you are traveling in a group, Volunteering Solutions will also help you organize healthcare camps.
Location: Surin
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background (Pre-Medical, Medical, and Nursing students, as well as Medical Professionals, are welcome to join)
Duration: Minimum 1 week – maximum of 24 weeks
7. Medical Volunteering Program in Ghana.
As a volunteer for the Medical Healthcare program in Ghana, you will work alongside the doctors, nurses, and local staff in public hospitals and community clinics in different locations across Tamale and the outskirts.
Volunteers at hospitals abroad have tasks that are determined by the volunteer’s qualifications, experience, and knowledge.
Qualified medical volunteers work in maternal health, mental health, surgery, laboratories, counseling, and testing.
Location: Tamale
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background (Pre-Medical, Medical, and Nursing students, as well as Medical Professionals, are welcome to join. All medical program participants need to provide a copy of their certifications/ credentials)
This is another volunteering opportunity abroad at hospitals.
Duration: Minimum 1 week – maximum of 24 weeks.
8. Medical Volunteering in Kenya.
Volunteering abroad at hospitals, you will work in medical clinics, dispensaries, and hospitals in and around Nairobi.
These clinics are mostly understaffed. Hence, your assistance will make a significant difference to the entire scenario.
You’ll mostly be shadowing the professionals and carrying out daily tasks per your experience and knowledge.
Location: Nairobi
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background (Pre-Medical, Medical, and Nursing students, as well as Medical Professionals, are welcome to join. All medical program participants need to provide a copy of their certifications/ credentials)
Duration: Minimum 1 week – maximum of 24 weeks.
9. Medical Volunteering Program in Uganda.
As a volunteer, you’ll be placed in a healthcare center with over 140 beds and offers opportunities in Radiology, Dental, Pediatric, Surgery, Maternity, OPD, and other departments.
Work will last between 4-6 hours a day and can be extended in case of an emergency.
On the weekends, there might also be community healthcare camps, which you’ll get to attend.
Location: Kampala Region
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background (Pre-Medical, Medical, and Nursing students, as well as Medical Professionals, are welcome to join. All medical program participants need to provide a copy of their certifications/ credentials)
Duration: Minimum 1 week – maximum of 18 weeks.
10. Medical Volunteering Program in the Philippines.
Volunteering opportunities at hospitals abroad means involvement with other public health projects, such as the Annual Medical Mission or Annual Medical Check-up for the entire rural population.
In at least four weeks, you’ll get to contribute effectively as a medical volunteer and make a difference in people’s lives.
Location: Tacloban
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background (Pre-Medical, Medical, and Nursing students, as well as Medical Professionals, are welcome to join. All medical program participants need to provide a copy of their certifications/ credentials)
Duration: Minimum four weeks – maximum of 24 weeks
11. Medical and Nursing Program in Sri Lanka.
It is important to note that the experience in the hospital is mainly observation-based, where participants will get exposure to a wide range of cases and patient types.
Some participants may get the opportunity to get more hands-on experience where they are allowed to interact directly with patients, but that is entirely at the discretion of the medical and nursing staff based on their comfort level with the particular student.
Location: Karapitiya & Galle
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background. (Pre-Medical, Medical, and Nursing students and Medical Professionals are welcome to join.)
Duration: Minimum 1 Week – Maximum of 24 weeks
12. Medical Internship Program in Vietnam.
As a volunteer for this volunteering opportunity at the hospitals abroad program, you’ll assist local staff in providing rehabilitation exercises and therapy treatment for children.
Joining in different therapy rooms and working more directly with children, shadowing/observing the Medical and Nursing staff in daily tasks, doing essential assisting work, etc.
It is important to note that only students from their 3rd & 4th years, having relevant professional experience & knowledge, can assist in the surgeries.
Location: Hanoi
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background. (Pre-Medical, Medical, and Nursing students and Medical Professionals are welcome to join.)
Duration: Minimum 2 Weeks – Maximum of 24 weeks
13. Health Volunteer Programs in Ecuador.
As a volunteer in this program, you will be based in governmental hospitals assisting doctors and other medical staff.
Your duty will be to teach residents about healthy eating, food safety, and proper nutrition, all while receiving mentorship and ongoing training.
Eligibility: The Medical Volunteering Program is ideal for med and pre-med students and medical professionals of all disciplines.
Location: Quito
Duration: 1 week to 12 weeks.
Also read: Environment Volunteering In 2023: 21 Best Programs For You
14. Health Volunteer Programs in Bali.
Participating in a medical volunteer program in Bali means that you’ll:
- Work alongside qualified healthcare practitioners
- Establish healthy diet and lifestyle campaigns
- Teach on the importance of healthy nutrition, personal hygiene, and exercise
Additionally, as a volunteer, you’ll actively teach the importance of basic hygiene and general health. Topics include brushing teeth correctly, washing hands, general body cleanliness, and nutrition.
Eligibility: Credential doctors are welcome to plan and implement health campaigns and local clinics. Due to limited resources, volunteers wishing to engage in patient care must bring their equipment.
Location: Ubud
Duration: 1 to 12 weeks.
15. Health Volunteer Opportunity in St. Lucia
Location: St. Lucia
Duration: Minimum 1 Week – Maximum of 24 weeks
As a volunteer at St. Lucia, your major role will be to provide infant support, help with early childhood education, teach health and hygiene lessons. You can also take part in food, diet, and nutrition project. Depending upon your level of experience and your willingness to learn, you can:
Provide nutrition education and teach healthy meal preparation in schools, clinics, and community centers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, volunteering in hospitals is the best way to show your love and concern for your community.
It is in caring for the sick that compassion is shown. Watching people go through their recovery process, you realize how precious every life is.
References:
- baronnews.com
- grhosp.on.ca
- zippia.com
- blog.johnsonmemorial.org
- medstarnrh.org
- volunteermatch.org/volunteers
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