Wound Care & Lymphedema Volunteer Opportunities

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Each nurse was in charge of a section of patients. She interacted with the surgical team that rounded on the patients each morning, then cleaned and dressed the wounds for the patients. We knew these nurses were smart and many of them were very motivated to learn and grow. When we presented them with the challenge of learning bedside sharp debridement, many of them eagerly stepped up.

-HVO Wound Care 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.

ACTIVE PROJECTS

Kampot, Cambodia – Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital (SKMH)

Volunteers will work with medical students, bedside nurses, nurse educators and managers, physicians and surgeons to improve the quality of wound care assessment and treatment. Longer term goals include establishment of a nurse-run wound care clinic, as well as a home care program. Volunteers will deliver lectures from a comprehensive wound care educational curriculum.

Assignment: 1-2 weeks.

Teaching Topics: Wound care & lymphedema – all topics; all topics; diabetic and post-surgical wounds of particular interest.

Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.

Qualifications: Board certified wound specialists with a minimum of 5 years’ practical experience and some teaching experience, including physical and occupational therapists, physicians, podiatrists, nurses and researchers specialized in wound care and lymphedema management. Previous clinical or academic teaching experience is preferred but not required. Clinicians must have a current professional license.

Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, curriculum development, didactic training, faculty/staff training, mentoring.

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

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

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Sihanouk Hospital

Volunteers teach basic and advanced wound and lymphedema care, with both basic and advanced supplies. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to work with the municipal hospital, the in-house diabetic clinic and the leprosy center. Activities may include providing lectures, participating in rounds, supporting staff research projects and assisting in the development of patient education materials. Volunteers will also deliver lectures from a comprehensive wound care educational curriculum.

Assignment: 1-2 weeks.

Teaching Topics: Wound care & lymphedema – all topics; pressure ulcers, trauma wounds, neuropathic ulcers (diabetes & leprosy), arterial ulcers and wound infections of particular interest.

Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.

Qualifications: Physicians, podiatrists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and researchers (active or retired) specialized in wound care & lymphedema management.

Activities: Case presentations, clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, grand rounds, health education material development, mentoring, protocol development, research advising.

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

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