“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 (JDWNR) 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.
Assignment: 1 month
Teaching Topics: Anesthesia – all topics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: MD – current license required; several years of experience required; teaching experience preferred.
Activities: Clinical training, curriculum development, departmental conferences, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, mentoring.
Housing: Housing is provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; not suitable for children.
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.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Anesthesia – all topics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: MD and CRNA – current license required; at least two years of experience required.
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, mentoring.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
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.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Anesthesia – all pediatric topics; respiratory physiology, renal & hepatic physiology, clinical decision-making, cardiovascular physiology, anesthesia indication and case management skills of particular interest
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: MD and CRNA – current license required; several years of experience required.
Activities: Clinical training, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, grand rounds, mentoring.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; assistance and information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
Kumasi, Ghana – Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH)
In collaboration with KATH faculty, HVO volunteers will support the teaching and training of anesthesia residents, nurse anesthetist staff, nurse anesthetist students, medical students, and House Officers in Ghana. KATH faculty would like to improve operating room efficiency, utilization, patient safety and outcomes, and their acquisition of anesthesia teaching and training materials. HVO volunteers will also mentor faculty and student research projects.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Anesthesia – all topics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.
Qualifications: MD – current license required (unless retired); previous academic experience recommended.
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, didactic instruction, education material development, mentoring, protocol development, research advising.
Housing: Housing is provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; not suitable for children.
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.
Assignment: Minimum of 2 weeks
Teaching Topics: Anesthesia – all topics; pediatric anesthesia of particular interest
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: MD and CRNA – current license required; minimum of 2 years of experience required; pediatrics experience required; prior international work and academic experience is preferred but not required.
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, mentoring.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
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 group teaching, tutorials, and daily workshops; 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.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Anesthesia – all topics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year residents accepted.
Qualifications: MD and CRNA – current license required; 3 or more years of experience.
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, didactic instruction, system evaluation.
Housing: Housing provided for a reasonable fee.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
Kigali, Rwanda – University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS)
Volunteers provide clinical and didactic instruction to students enrolled in the 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.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Anesthesia – all topics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year residents accepted.
Qualifications: MD and CRNA – current license required; at least 2-3 years experience required.
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, mentoring.
Housing: Housing is provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Hospital for Traumatology and Orthopaedics (HTO)
This project seeks to upgrade the skills of anesthesia providers at HTO. 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 required research projects. 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.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Anesthesia – all topics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.
Qualifications: MD – current license required
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, mentoring, protocol development, research advising.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
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.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Anesthesia – all topics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year residents accepted.
Qualifications: MD and CRNA – current license required and at least two years experience required.
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, curriculum development, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, mentoring.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.