Hematology Volunteer Opportunities

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Many of my colleagues who I have spoken to about my HVO service are unaware that there is a place for them as volunteers in developing countries. My HVO experience has helped me to realize that the important advances in diagnostic pathology and laboratory medicine in the developed world in the last thirty years are not only in “high tech” applications such as immunophenotyping but also in standardization and quality improvement at the most basic level in both education and implementation of diagnostic techniques.

-HVO Hematology Volunteer to Uganda

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.

ACTIVE PROJECTS

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Calmette Hospital and the National Cancer Center

Working with local staff, HVO volunteers will support the development and advancement of patient and operational protocols and procedures at Calmette Hospital and the National Cancer Center. Additionally, volunteers will improve the knowledge and skills of pediatric and adult hematologists, oncologists, nurses and other personnel through clinical and didactic training.

Assignment: 2 weeks

Teaching Topics: Hematology – all topics (adult & pediatric)

Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Fellows accepted in final six months of training.

Qualifications: Board-certified in hematology and/or blood banking (clinicians or lab-based scientists); individuals with PhD must be certified in hematopathology or pathology with demonstrated experience in hematopathology; current license to practice (active or retired) for clinical training; retired without current license can provide didactic training.

Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic training, faculty/staff training, mentoring, protocol development, system evaluation.

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) 

Volunteers with expertise in clinical laboratory hematology assist in optimizing the functioning of the laboratory through a systems-based approach. Volunteers provide lectures on benign hematology and pediatric oncology to trainee physicians at the AHC and help staff at AHC implement treatment for patients with retinoblastoma and leukemia at the hospital. Volunteers are needed at specific times to provide training as part of the hematology/oncology module offered to pediatric residents.

Assignment: 2-4 weeks

Teaching Topics: Hematology – pediatric hematology; pediatric radiology, pediatric intensive care, pediatric emergency medicine, and neonatology of particular interest

Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.

Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; current license to practice; prior international health experience preferred.

Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, mentoring, protocol development, system evaluation.

Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.

Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.

Arequipa, Peru – Catholic University of Santa Maria (CU) and Carlos Alberto Seguin Escobedo National Hospital (HNCASE)

HVO volunteers will work with students, residents and clinicians at CU and its partner hospital, HNCASE, to improve their knowledge in the study, diagnosis, and management of hematologic disease and improve their care of patients diagnosed with hematologic disease.

Assignment: 2-4 weeks

Teaching Topics: Hematology – all topics

Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year fellows accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.

Qualifications: Board-certified in hematology and/or blood banking (clinicians or lab-based scientists); individuals with PhD must be certified in hematopathology or pathology with demonstrated experience in hematopathology; current license to practice (active or retired) for clinical training; retired without current license can provide didactic training; previous international experience recommended.

Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, grand rounds, formal lecturing, mentoring, protocol development.

Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.

Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – Muhimbili National Hospital & Muhimbili University of Health & Allied Sciences

Volunteers provide training and staff development for physicians, nurses, residents, students, and laboratory technicians in the field of hematology. Specific training goals include hematopathology, sickle cell disease, transfusion medicine, laboratory hematology, hemato-oncology, bleeding and thrombosis, anemia, acute leukemia, bone marrow transplant, aplastic anemia and other bone marrow failures.

Assignment: 1-4 weeks

Teaching Topics: Hematology – all topics (adult & pediatric); blood banking; laboratory sciences

Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Senior fellows accepted.

Qualifications: Board certified in hematology and/or oncology (clinicians & lab-based scientists); previous international travel preferred.

Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, mentoring, protocol development, system evaluation.

Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.

Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; not suitable for children.

Kampala, Uganda – Makerere University & Mulago Hospital

Please note: due to ongoing construction at Mulago Hospital, the hematology project is not currently recruiting volunteers.
This program seeks to improve training in hematology to clinicians, laboratory technicians, technologists, and students. This program also works to provide an interface between the laboratory staff and the clinical staff in the interpretation and diagnosis of blood-related illnesses.

Assignment: 2-4 weeks

Teaching Topics: Hematology – all topics; diagnosis, bone marrow & blood smear interpretations; hematologic oncology

Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.

Qualifications: Board certified in hematology and/or oncology (clinicians & lab-based scientists); previous international travel preferred.

Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, protocol development.

Housing: Housing provided for a reasonable fee.

Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.