Healthcare Internship in Mexico

About the program

This project was created with the goal of supplying essential medical treatment to vulnerable residents in one of the poorest regions of Mexico. Set in one of the most beautiful inland cities in the mountains of Southern Mexico, the Healthcare Program provides a great opportunity for med-students, nurses, paramedics, and semi-qualified medical practitioners to volunteer in local hospitals and clinics, both public and private, in and around the historic city of Oaxaca.

As with all Medical Internships throughout Central/South America, the level of direct involvement and patient care will be reflective of a volunteer’s knowledge and training. In some cases, suitably trained and experienced volunteers may have the opportunity to be more hands-on with patient care, which can include tasks such as taking blood pressure and other vitals, giving vaccinations, assisting with patient assessments or administering basic first aid such as bandages or minor sutures; all of which help to fulfill a huge need for this work in a region where there are often insufficient numbers of medical staff. Junior med student and pre-med volunteers will find this project to be highly observational - an excellent opportunity to gain first-hand insight of the healthcare system of a developing country! A variety of medical and administrative support is greatly needed with all volunteers being put to good use.

Goals of this Project:

• Assist in the provision of free healthcare to the most disadvantaged in society
• Help to improve the health and long term well-being of some of Mexico’s most impoverished people
• Help to improve lives and make a real difference to the people of the Oaxaca region
• Enable inter-cultural exchange which benefits both residents and international volunteers alike

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Volunteer's role

Volunteers contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:

• Work in clinics to help to supply medical assistance to the most disadvantaged and culturally diverse people of Mexico
• Network with local residents and local project staff
• Assist in the provision of medical services to people in Oaxaca City and the surrounding areas
• Perform medical procedures and consultations as appropriate to the volunteer’s skills and training (suitably qualified volunteers only)

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‍Requirements  

This program offers an amazing opportunity for suitable applicants who are 18 years and over to work alongside qualified medical professionals and gain first-hand insight into the Mexican healthcare system. It is open to those with experience and/or education in the field of medicine, as well as med-school and pre-med students.

Volunteers on this project will need at least an intermediate understanding of Spanish in order to communicate effectively with patients and staff.

Medical interns are required to wear white clothing (including shoes and a coat) to their placements.  Whilst working in a clinic setting a white lab coat should be worn over white clothing (please take a clean white coat with you and put this on when you arrive). For hospital placements clean scrubs (of any  colour) should be taken to the placement to put on over white clothing on arrival. Please do not wear your scrubs when travelling to the hospital.

Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:

• Emergency contact
• Police check
• Resume