PHYSICAL THERAPY

Thimphu, Bhutan – National Referral Hospital

Volunteers facilitate the training of physical therapy technician students, provide continuing education and consultant services to the physical therapy technicians, assist with the development of pediatric PT support services and the manufacturing of simple orthotics and adaptive equipment, and provide teacher mentoring and training so that the local staff will take over more of the teaching duties. Volunteers must be licensed to practice physical therapy in the US or Canada and have more than five years of work experience.  Volunteers must have teaching/training experience and a strong desire to teach.  There may be opportunities for OTs specialized in hand therapy or pediatrics.  Assignments are 4 months.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Addis Ababa University (AAU)

Volunteers provide didactic and/or clinical instruction as well as mentoring to PTs participating in a Physical Therapy Residency Program at Black Lion Hospital, an affiliate of AAU. All specialties are needed and training will be coordinated according to the residency curriculum. HVO is partnering with The Jackson Clinics to provide this program. Volunteers must hold a current license to practice and have at least 3 years clinical experience. Prior teaching/training experience preferred. Assignments are 2 4 weeks in length.

Guatemala City, Guatemala - Universidad Mariano Galvez (UMG)

Volunteers provide guidance to UMG faculty in strengthening the curriculum of the Bachelor's in Physical Therapy program, train faculty in adding evidence based content, assist in teaching identified content areas, and provide continuing education to the clinical instructors. Faculty or clinical instructors with a DPT are preferred but those with clinical expertise or specialist certification in areas of need will also be considered. Volunteers are required to have a minimum of 4 years clinical experience, as well as prior relevant international experience. Assignments are 1-2 weeks.

Deschapelles, Haiti - Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (HAS)

HVO is partnering with HAS and the Friends of Hôpital Albert Schweitzer, Haiti (FHASH) - through the implementation of a Rehabilitation Technician Training Program (RTTP). Volunteers provide didactic and clinical instruction in rehabilitative care to approximately 4-6 rehabilitation technician students per class in a 9 month curriculum, January through September. Volunteers are needed for teaching from January through July and for clinical education and supervision in August and September. Additionally, volunteers might participate in hospital staff presentations and continuing education for previous graduates of the RTTP. This site is appropriate for occupational therapists. Volunteers are required to have a minimum of 3 years clinical experience as well as previous international experience. Assignments are 2 - 4 weeks or more.

Vellore, India - Christian Medical College (CMC)

Volunteers provide continuing education for physiotherapy staff, students, and faculty through classroom instruction and clinical training.  Volunteers work to improve the quality of physical therapy services to patients in the CMC system through updating and broadening therapists' knowledge of physical therapy theory and procedure in the areas such as manual therapy, sports medicine, and treatment of spinal musculoskeletal dysfunction.  Volunteers must hold a current license to practice physical therapy and have at least 2 years of clinical experience.  Prior teaching/training experience is preferred. Assignments are a minimum of 2 weeks.

Lima, Peru - EsSalud Hospital System

Volunteers provide lectures, presentations, and hands-on instruction to physical therapists.  Volunteers focus on updating and broadening therapists' knowledge of physical therapy theory in any area of physical therapy practice, such as manual therapy, adult or pediatric rehabilitation, cardiorespiratory care, or amputee rehabilitation.  Volunteers must be fully licensed physical therapists or occupational therapists with a minimum of 3 years of clinical experience.  Volunteers are sought who have advanced knowledge and expertise in any area of physical therapy practice.  Preference is given to clinical instructors or individuals with classroom teaching experience. Assignments are 2 - 4 weeks.

Vieux Fort, St. Lucia - St. Jude Hospital

Volunteers provide continuing education training for the physical therapy staff and nursing staff and support patient care and community outreach. Volunteers should be prepared to provide in-service sessions. The volunteer will provide training in one or more of the following areas: modalities, range of motion, general therapeutic exercise, patient handling, pressure ulcer prevention, vital signs, cardiopulmonary physio, documentation, and more. This site will accept occupational therapists. Assignments are a 1 week minimum.

Paramaribo, Suriname - Medical Sciences of Anton de Kom University of Suriname

Volunteers assist and provide training for the faculty in curriculum development; assist with professional development of future faculty members or clinical instructors; provide continuing education to faculty; and assist faculty members in teaching physical therapy students. Volunteers may be active or retired with a license to practice physical therapy and have at least 2 years of professional experience.  A master's degree or higher education, and academic or continuing education teaching experience are required.  Assignments are 2 - 4 weeks.

Da Nang, Vietnam – Da Nang Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital

Volunteers provide clinical education to physical therapists and physical therapy students in various areas as well as focus on increasing the physical therapy staff's capabilities in problem solving and taking on the role of teachers.  The hospital provides in-patient and out-patient care for children and adults.  Fully licensed PTs with at least 2 years of experience are sought.  Assignments are 2 - 4 weeks.