Work in Medical/Healthcare/Hospital Projects – Xela, Guatemala

Project Summary

Volunteers in this project will be working with local doctors, healthcare professionals, and at health camps. You will be assisting local Guatemalan’s who do not have access to proper treatment or care. This project is ideal for students or professionals in the healthcare field. Volunteers can expect to be interacting and assisting with the patients and their needs. If your background permits, you may be directly administering drugs or facilitating serious healthcare conditions.

Volunteers should expect for this project to be very hands-on. In many of these healthcare facilities there is a lack of supplies, or staff. There is a great need for people of healthcare knowledge to come to this project and offer their skills and support. You will find this project both challenging and highly rewarding. The need for volunteers is high for this project.

Skill/Qualification

Volunteers/interns interested in our volunteer health program must hold a healthcare certification, such as an ID as a medical student, EMT or paramedic certification or nursing or physician's credentials. We do not permit volunteers without medical credentials to work in this program owing to the potential risks involved. The hospitals require a copy of your resume, clearly documenting credentials and education, before your arrival to the project. Projects will also require an official copy of your credentials.

Volunteer Responsibilities

Job responsibilities for medical project volunteers in Guatemala vary dependent on education, skills, experience and qualifications. Most often volunteers help doctors or work as their assistants. You also assist in health camps, distribute medicines, provide tips to patients on health, nutrition and sanitation or provide counseling to patients. You may provide treatment for minor injuries or wounds and document patient records. Also, you assist in carrying out the routine job of taking patient's blood pressure, temperature, height, weight and other health related tasks.

Project Location

Xela, Guatemala is the second-largest city in Guatemala and the full name of city is called Quetzaltenango. Xela is located in the southwest of Guatemala and full of various natural landscapes. There are volcanoes, hot springs, rivers, mountains, and valleys all around. The land produces coffee, fruit, wheat, cattle, and many vegetables. Xela is full of neoclassical and renaissance style architecture. The city also hosts a plentitude of restaurants, markets, and museums.

Guatemala is one of the most popular destinations on the globe for ecotourism. The biodiversity in Guatemala is almost unparalleled and when you have free time as volunteer you can observe why. The mountains, rain forests, and jungles offer plenty of options for nature excursions.