Anesthesia Volunteer Opportunities

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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.

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

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.

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: Two months recommended

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.

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.

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.

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: hybrid (in-person or online)

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 (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.