Anesthesia

However, the most rewarding moment came my final week when I witnessed one of my students arguing with one of the surgeons [that] even though our eight year old patient was moving, that he was still not ready to be extubated. He even made the extra effort to show the surgeon how the patient’s eyes were disconjuage and breathing was irregular and how these were signs of emergence…I guess that moment exemplifies why our presence was beneficial. As HVO volunteers we bring a different perspective / style of management of patients and I would like to believe the students’ exposure to this is worthwhile for them in the long run.”

-HVO Anesthesia Volunteer, 2014

READY TO VOLUNTEER?

There are multiple steps to the placement process and often more than one approval is required. The process varies slightly from country-to-country and project-to-project. We strive to make this process as quick as possible but potential volunteers should be aware that final approval can take several months.

• To begin the placement process, complete the volunteer application and submit your CV.

A NOTE ABOUT HVO’S ANESTHESIA PROGRAM

HVO anesthesia projects may recruit MDs, CRNAs or both at different project sites based on host institution requirements, the specialty and level of practice of the trainees or other factors. Please note volunteer requirements under “Qualifications” if a project recruits CRNAs, MDs or both.

ACTIVE PROJECTS

Thimphu, Bhutan – National Referral Hospital
Volunteers will work with anesthesia providers to improve the quality of patient care and availability of anesthesia providers at National Referral Hospital and throughout Bhutan by providing continuing education to the anesthesia providers through lectures, presentations, and hands-on instruction. Volunteers will also provide clinical and didactic training to anesthesia residents at National Referral Hospital.

Kampot, Cambodia – Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital (SKMH)
Volunteers will provide both clinical and didactic instruction to two emergency department nurses to assist in their preparation to practice as nurse anesthetists at SKMH. HVO volunteers will also assist with the ongoing training of the anesthesia resident at SKMH, and collaborate with SKMH’s one staff anesthesiologist.

Kumasi, Ghana – Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH)
Working with KATH faculty, HVO volunteers will increase the number and quality of trained anesthesia residents, nurse anesthetist staff, nurse anesthetist students, medical students and House Officers in Ghana by augmenting teaching and training for students and staff. HVO volunteers will collaborate and mentor faculty and student research projects. They will also work with local staff to improve operating room efficiency, utilization, patient safety and outcomes, and assist in the acquisition of anesthesia teaching and training materials.

Luang Prabang, Laos – Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC)
HVO volunteers will provide clinical and didactic anesthesia training to nurses at LFHC. Training will follow a defined curriculum and is designed to prepare enrolled LFHC nurses with the knowledge, attitude and skills to become nurse anesthetists. Volunteers to this site may also be expected to assist with patient care in the operating theatre.

Blantyre, Malawi – Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH)
Volunteers provide teaching and training to participants in the Anesthesia Clinical Officer (ACO) program and ACO graduates. Volunteer work includes small group teaching, tutorials, workshops on a daily basis; hands-on/scenario teaching through the use of QECH’s simulation center; training to senior ACOs interested in upgrading their skills; and supporting the expansion of teaching/training to clinical ACOs throughout district hospitals around the country.

Kigali, Rwanda – University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS)
HVO volunteers will assist in the implementation of CMHS’s Bachelor’s of Nurse Anesthesia program and to provide clinical and didactic instruction to the school’s nurse anesthesia students. In addition, volunteers will provide continuing education to practicing nurse anesthetists to supplement the on-the-job training these nurses receive. Volunteers may also assist with master’s training and short professional development courses.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Hospital for Traumatology and Orthopaedics
This project seeks to upgrade the skills of anesthesia providers. Volunteers will conduct clinical demonstration in the OR, similar to residency training in the US. Often, anesthesiologists at the hospital will ask the volunteers’ advice or ideas for their required research project. Volunteers might suggest that the anesthesiologists develop projects that include quality assurance or other topics that can help the hospital track progress, trends, and data.

Hue, Vietnam – Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy (HUMP) Hospital
HVO volunteers provide clinical and didactic training and support the academic advancement of nurse anesthesia students and level 1 anesthesia residents. In addition, volunteers collaborate with the anesthesia department to deliver lectures, workshops and other educational activities to all HUMP anesthesia faculty, staff and students. There is also the opportunity for volunteers to assist in the planning and execution of one to two Saturday continuing education courses per year to anesthesia residents and anesthesiologists from HUMP and the district hospitals. Volunteers may also assist in the planning and execution of similar courses at a level appropriate for nurse anesthetists.