Medical Assistant in a Hospital
Coordinator | Guillaume
Coordinator | Guillaume
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
You'll be working in a clinic or hospital in Arusha, Tanzania.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
There are medical placements available in a government hospital, a local community clinic and a private clinic. These offer a range of different experiences suited to different levels of qualification. Wherever you volunteer, please remember to leave your expectations behind you – healthcare provision in the developing world is likely to shock and challenge you. Please let your trip adviser know which kind of placement you would prefer. While it is possible to switch between placements we do not encourage this.
Government Hospital (restricted to healthcare professionals and students of 3 years or more) volunteers are placed at the Meru District Hospital. This is a government hospital with the following departments: dental; general medical consultation, laboratory, HIV awareness and testing; midwifery; newborn care and immunisation; obstetrics and gynaecology; optical; paediatrics; pharmacy; pre-natal care; surgery (major and minor); and a tuberculosis wing. When they begin their placement, volunteers will meet with the matron of the hospital and participate in a welcome meeting, where they will meet hospital staff and learn about placement specifics. During orientation, they will have a chance to discuss their specific areas of interest or expertise, or else embark on a general placement encompassing several departments.
Volunteers at Meru District Hospital can expect to work from 8:30am to 2pm, Monday to Friday. You will not receive a great deal of direction or formal training as a hospital volunteer, and you will need to be proactive to ensure your involvement. You must also prepare for a medical setting which will be very different from that which you’re used to. In government hospitals the style of doctor/patient care is different and procedures must be carried out with limited staff and resources – pain relief, for example, cannot always be provided. You should prepare to be shocked and challenged by your time in Tanzania.
Community clinic volunteers work at the Olorien Clinic. This is a privately owned clinic subsidised by the nearby Baptist church. The clinic has the following departments: general medical consultation; minor surgeries; laboratory; pharmacy; x-ray; ultrasound. The doctor in charge, Dr Byemba, is an experienced mentor and will encourage your participation in all aspects of treatment and care. Major procedures carried out in surgery are circumcision, stitches, burn treatments and removal and drainage of abscesses, cysts and growths. In the lab there may be opportunities to take blood and to learn about a variety of tropical diseases, while in the pharmacy you can find out about the treatment options and medicines available.
Typical day
Volunteers are generally expected to work at their placement five days a week. Weekday mornings will start with breakfast with other volunteers at our volunteer house, before you head to your hospital or clinic for around 9am. Mornings will often start with consultation with local staff members to discuss the needs of the day, and you may be asked to help out with a wide range of activities. At around 12pm you’ll get a break for lunch, which you can take with other volunteers and local staff.
You will generally finish your placement at around 5pm, though this will depend on the opening times of your placement. When you finish you’ll get a chance to unwind with other volunteers and local team members over dinner.
Free-time activities
Agape Volunteers in Tanzania can take a range of extra trips including climbing Kilimanjaro, taking a safari, and a weekend at the Moshi waterfalls and Chemka hot springs. Please ask your trip adviser for full details and prices.
Swimming
Climbing
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Sports
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (fluently)
required
Medicine at University level
CV, a photocopy of your passport, visa permitting you to volunteer, a copy of your degree certificate, a letter of recommendation from your current place of work and a letter of introduction explaining what you would like to achieve on your program
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from
09:00
- 17:00
What's Included
The program fee includes your accommodation, two meals a day, transfers to and from the airport, all Agape registrations, orientation, a dedicated trip adviser to guide you through your booking, and a donation to your placement. It also covers Agape Insurance, a fully comprehensive insurance policy.
Medical placements require a £95 surcharge to register you, and you will need to pay to reregister each time you switch to another placement.
You will be picked up by a uniformed member of staff and driven to Maisha Cottage in the city centre.
You'll be staying at Maisha Cottage, the guesthouse at KATzVA. It is situated in a lush garden just 5 minutes from Arusha town centre. Maisha Cottage is set up to be a home away from home, with a communal lounge area with TV/DVDs, large gardens to relax in, a mix of local and western-style meals and a wonderful support staff.
Same-sex dormitories sleep up to seven volunteers. Bed linen is provided but you please bring your own towel. The Cottage has hot showers, WiFi, and plenty of communal space for you to share with other volunteers.
There is also the option to live with a local family in a volunteer homestay. If you would be interested in this, please ask your trip adviser.
Breakfast and dinner are included in your program fee. Food at the guesthouse is a mixture of western and African meals, so you can expect dishes like rice, beans, mixed vegetables, chapatis, curry and stewed meat and a variety of other dishes. Breakfast tends to be based around bread, butter, jam, tea, coffee, fruit, eggs or pancakes.
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Arusha Airport (ARK) in Arusha. We assist you to find cheap flights to Tanzania.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Tanzania provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Tanzania you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Tanzania.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 - 12 weeks
Program fees
1 week
(min. stay)
$1,020
3 weeks
$1,530
3 weeks
$1,530
3 weeks
$1,530
3 weeks
$1,530
4 weeks
$1,780
4 weeks
$1,780
4 weeks
$1,780
4 weeks
$1,780
6 weeks
$2,300
6 weeks
$2,300
6 weeks
$2,300
6 weeks
$2,300
8 weeks
$2,810
8 weeks
$2,810
8 weeks
$2,810
8 weeks
$2,810
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$3,830
Average fees
$670
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Agape Volunteers
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Agape Volunteers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
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Medical Assistant in a Hospital
You'll be working in a clinic or hospital in Arusha, Tanzania.
$670/week
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