“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 disconjugate 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
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—Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH)
Volunteers provide clinical and didactic training and classroom lectures to anesthesia residents. Volunteers also provide continuing education to the practicing anesthesia providers (anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists) through lectures, presentations, and hands-on instruction. All areas of anesthesia training are needed, but topics of particular interest at the site are thoracic anesthesia, cardiac anesthesia, onco- anesthesia, head and neck anesthesia, pain intervention management, geriatric anesthesia, and trauma anesthesia. In addition, volunteers assist the current anesthesia providers with teaching in the nurse anesthesia training program. This includes providing presentations to the nurse anesthesia students and anesthesia department on clinical teaching, infection control practices, nontechnical skills, precepting, and evaluation. Rounds with the anesthesia staff and nurses in the ICU are beneficial; the nurses in the ICU are interested in discussing the management of cases. Medical interns may also be included in the group of trainees.
Project type: In-person only
Length of assignment: One month
Qualifications: Volunteers must be board-certified anesthesiologists with several years of experience. Volunteers may be either retired or in active practice. Those with academic appointments or those in private practice are welcome. Teaching experience is preferred, and all areas of expertise are welcome. The site has a particular interest in volunteers with skills in obstetrics and pediatrics.
Volunteers without a current license to practice may not do procedures on patients or be involved in direct patient care. However, they can demonstrate medical techniques and procedures under the supervision and at the discretion of the responsible host-country medical personnel. Residents are not eligible.
In 2024, the government of Bhutan began enforcing new immigration legislation that HVO must follow: a work permit cannot be issued to volunteers who are over the age of 65. As a result, all volunteers MUST be under the age of 65 at the time of their assignment in order to qualify for a work permit.
Housing: Housing is available on a first-come, first served basis. Let HVO staff know that you’re interested in housing so that necessary arrangements can be made.
Companions allowed: Bhutan’s immigration regulations do not allow volunteers who are staying less than 90 days to bring family members. For longer stays, volunteers may bring a spouse. Not suitable for minors.
Kampot, Cambodia – Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital (SKMH)
Volunteers will improve the availability and quality of patient care by providing 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.
Project type: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Length of assignment: 2-4 weeks; variable for virtual
Qualifications: Currently licensed MDs and CRNAs with at least two years of experience required. No opportunities for those-in-training.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; assistance and information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions allowed: Adults and minors.
Siem Reap, Cambodia – Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC)
Experienced volunteers are needed to provide lectures and training on specific topics to the pediatric anesthesia providers at AHC. The AHC anesthesia department has identified certain areas of focus for volunteers, and they will work with volunteers to plan lectures in advance. Anesthesia volunteers with experience in training programs and program development are also needed.
Project type: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Length of assignment: 2-4 weeks; variable for virtual
Qualifications: Currently licensed MDs and CRNAs with several years of experience. No opportunities for those-in-training.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; assistance and information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions allowed: Adults and minors.
Luang Prabang, Laos – Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC)
HVO volunteers will provide clinical and didactic pediatric anesthesia training to nurses enrolled in the nurse anesthetist training program at LFHC. Training will follow a defined curriculum and is designed to provide the knowledge, attitude, and skills needed to become nurse anesthetists. Volunteers will also provide continuing education to nurse anesthetists recently graduated from the program. Volunteers to this site may also be expected to assist with patient care in the operating theater.
Project type: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Length of assignment: 2 months recommended; variable for virtual
Qualifications: Currently licensed MDs and CRNAs with at least two years of pediatrics experience required. Prior international work and academic experience is preferred but not required. No opportunities for those-in-training.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; assistance and information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions allowed: Adults and minors.
Kigali, Rwanda – University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (UR-CMHS)
Volunteers provide clinical and didactic instruction to students enrolled in the UR-CMHS Bachelor of Nurse Anesthesia program. In addition, volunteers may 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.
Project type: In-person only
Length of Assignment: 3-4 weeks
Qualifications: Currently licensed MDs and CRNAs with teaching and/or precepting experience, and at least five years of experience. Final-year residents may be considered if supervised by a qualified attending.
Housing: Housing is provided.
Companions allowed: Adults and minors.
Kabale, Uganda – Kabale University School of Medicine (KABSOM)
This project is designed to assist the KABSOM Anesthesia Department with district-wide anesthesia capacity building and retention through training, education and mentoring. HVO volunteers will primarily help with clinical and didactic training and support the academic advancement of students at KABSOM by delivering lectures, training workshops and other educational activities. In person visits may be followed up by supplemental pre-recorded lectures and live question and answer sessions online.
Project type: In-person only
Length of assignment: 2-4 weeks
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified anesthesiologists. Retired anesthesiologists are welcome for non-clinical teaching if they maintain an active license. Experienced (3 years post-graduate) CRNAs with teaching experience may also volunteer. Final-year residents will also be considered if supervised by a qualified attending.
Housing: Housing is provided.
Companions: Adults only, no minors.
Hue, Vietnam – Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy (HueUMP) 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 HueUMP 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 HueUMP and the district hospitals. Volunteers may also assist in the planning and execution of similar courses at a level appropriate for nurse anesthetists.
Project type: In-person only
Length of assignment: 2-4 weeks
Qualifications:Board eligible/certified anesthesiologists. Current license required and at least two years experience required. Retired anesthesiologists are welcome for non-clinical teaching if they maintain an active license.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions allowed: adults and minors.