Volunteer Medicine and Healthcare in Jamaica with Projects Abroad

Location: Jamaica

Term: Throughout the year

Program Duration: 2-4 weeks, 3-6 months (includes high school academic semester abroad), 5-8 weeks, 7-12 months (includes high school academic year abroad), 9-12 weeks, 1-2 weeks

Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks

Dates: Year Round / Rolling Starts

http://www.projects-abroad.org

80 Broad Street New York, NY 10004 United States

Call Us

Phone: 1-888-839-3535

Fax: 212 244 7236

Description

Interning on a Medicine & Healthcare internship in Jamaica is a challenging and exciting experience. As a Medicine & Healthcare intern, 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 interns 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.

Medical interns based in Mandeville work at the Mandeville Regional Hospital, Percy Junor Hospital, or at a health center in and around Mandeville. In St. Elizabeth volunteers work at the Black River Hospital or a variety of 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 the Percy Junior Hospital. Depending on your area of interest medical students may also be placed in the Health Department.

At the hospitals you will spend time working in both in-patient and out-patient services. You will be able to intern 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.

Highlights

Doctors and nurses welcome interns with a range of experience as long as you are enthusiastic and ready 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 interning. Your supervisor can ensure that you work in a variety of areas during your internship and learn as much as possible about medical practice in Jamaica.

Interns can join a Medicine project in Jamaica for two weeks if you don't have time to join us for a month or more. Please be aware that the number of departments you can experience may be limited and you may not be able to make the same impact as someone interning for a longer period. Nursing, Midwifery, and Dentistry interns need to commit to at least one month.

Whichever medical internships 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 & intern community means there are always others around to make friends with.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications

Depends on placement, but all levels of experience are welcome.

Intern Types
  • Medicine
  • Health Sciences
Languages
  • English

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Include Description:

Credit Available

no

Volunteer Types
  • health
  • health care
  • hospital
  • medicine
Age Range
16-80
This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements
  • Home-stays

Participants Travel to Jamaica

Independently

Application Process Involves
  • Letters of Reference
  • 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

GoAbroad.com