Volunteer Medicine and Healthcare in Jamaica with Projects Abroad

  Jamaica

Mandeville

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Year Round / Rolling Starts

Description: Volunteering on a Medicine & Healthcare project in Jamaica is a challenging and exciting experience. As a Medicine & Healthcare volunteer you will gain a great deal of valuable work-experience alongside some of the most skilled and inspirational doctors in the country.

The majority of medical volunteers find that the facilities in Jamaica are of a good standard; in fact Jamaica was one of the first countries to establish a national health service. However, you are likely to encounter many diseases that are less common than in North America and Europe.

Medicine volunteers based in Mandeville work in one of four medical institutions, the Mandeville Regional Hospital, Percy Junor Hospital, Manchester Health Department or at another Health Centre and the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA). In St. Elizabeth volunteers work at the Black River Hospital or a variety of Health Centers, while in St. Ann volunteers work at the St. Anns Bay Hospital or in local Health Centers. Medical students and professionals (nurses, doctors, laboratory technicians etc.) can be placed at the hospitals. Pre-medical students or anyone seeking some form of medical experience will be placed at a health center or with the SRHA. Depending on your area of interest medical students may also be placed at the Health Department or the SRHA.

At the hospitals you will spend time working in both in-patient and out-patient services in departments such as general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics. The Health Department and Health Centers offer a variety of services including an adolescent health clinic, wellness clinic, child health, curative health, family planning and health program and sexually transmitted infection clinics. The categories of nurse at these facilities are public health, midwife, registered, enrolled and community health aides.

Your supervisor can ensure that you work in a variety of areas during your placement, and learn as much as possible about medical practice in Jamaica.

Doctors and nurses welcome volunteers with a range of experience, so long as you are enthusiastic and keen to participate. By showing initiative and building a good rapport with your colleagues, you can get very involved with the doctors and patients with whom you are working.

* Volunteer Nursing in Jamaica

If you are a trained nurse, a nursing student, or on a gap year, career break or holiday period and interested in gaining some experience in the field, you could volunteer with us as a nurse in Jamaica. For some specific areas volunteers will have to be certified and if you are a student there are some areas that you will not be able to observe.

We have a number of placements where you can gain some great experience. Nursing volunteers have the opportunity to work in either a large hospital or in a smaller specialist clinic or healthcare center.

Whichever volunteer medical placement you choose in Jamaica, outside of work you will live with a local host family, who will provide your meals and a real taste of Jamaican hospitality. When you aren't at work there is plenty to do in and around Mandeville, and our lively, diverse volunteer community means there are always other volunteers around to make friends with.

Highlights: Volunteers in Jamaica are spoilt for choice in terms of travel opportunities, both at the weekends or after volunteering. The Milk River Bath is a popular day trip from Mandeville, this natural hot spring is renowned for its healing powers, and is a relaxing way to spend the day after a busy week at work.

* Jamaican beach

Further a field literally hundreds of paradise beaches await, with added attractions at places like Ocho Rios, home to the aptly named Eden Falls, where you can tube or raft down the river. Water sports like diving and snorkeling are popular around the entire coast or lie back in a hammock and sample a classic Jamaican rum cocktail.

Finally, no experience of Jamaica is complete without experiencing the vibrant music scene. Strains of Jamaica's most famous citizen, Bob Marley will undoubtedly follow you everywhere on the island and spectacular music festivals take place throughout the year.

All accommodation is organized, paid for and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in Jamaica.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: none

Cost in US$: From USD 3,145 and Up

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 16-80

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

Participants Travel to Jamaica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 2-5

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program 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