from 837€

Brilliant 4.7rating (201)

Medical Hospital Internship

location
1 - 8 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • As a medical volunteer, you can help make a true difference in the lives of healthcare professionals and their patients.
  • Have the opportunity to work in hospitals, clinics, assisted living, and other healthcare facilities.
  • Build your confidence with hands on experience
  • Medical professionals are often inundated with patience and the assistance of qualified volunteers provides well needed support to increase effectiveness of the care available

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Various medical volunteer options exist for medical students, nurses, physiotherapists, doctors and specialist healthcare practitioners in Peru

Many of the Peruvian hospitals are under-funded and as a result, under-staffed with limited resources to provide quality healthcare services. As a medical volunteer even with limited experience, you can actually make a big difference assisting qualified nurses, doctors, dentists, physiotherapists ...

About the program

Many of the Peruvian hospitals are under-funded and as a result, under-staffed with limited resources to provide quality healthcare services. As a medical volunteer even with limited experience, you can actually make a big difference assisting qualified nurses, doctors, dentists, physiotherapists and various medical specialists.  

Your placement will depend on experience, but you can expect to be shadowing doctors, performing assessments of height, weight, blood pressure, temperature, sterilization and general assistance. There's always something to be done and the tasks are varied so it's important the volunteers are ready and willing to learn and adapt to local conditions.   

For those with relevent experience you'll likely assist with cleaning wounds, giving injections, assisting nurses and doctors with physical examinations, taking blood, recording data, physiotherapy and various other support jobs.

It's of significant advantage if you're able to speak some Spanish (but this is not mandatory).  You'll need to provide evidence of prior learning during the application process, so we can assess where to best place you.


Location 

Cusco, Peru –  easily one of the top 5 ancient civilization centers in the world, is also home to immense scenic beauty, bio-diversity and incredible culture.    In this project, you’ll be situated in Cuzco City. 

Project Tasks

  • Shadowing Doctors and Nurses and providing general outpatient support 
  • Assist with health cheacks, distributing medicine, etc
  • Running medical campaigns to provide healthcare, as well as dental and hygiene education, to underprivileged


Typical day

Sunday – Arrival & Welcome
Monday – Orientation in Cuzco
Tuesday to Friday:  

  • Breakfast at the accommodation
  • 4-6 hours of volunteer work either in the morning or afternoon
  • Your own lunch at the accommodation or project site
  • Free time
  • Dinner at the accommodation
Saturday – Free time
Sunday – Free ...

Typical day

Sunday – Arrival & Welcome
Monday – Orientation in Cuzco
Tuesday to Friday:  

  • Breakfast at the accommodation
  • 4-6 hours of volunteer work either in the morning or afternoon
  • Your own lunch at the accommodation or project site
  • Free time
  • Dinner at the accommodation
Saturday – Free time
Sunday – Free time


Free-time activities

Machu Picchu Baby!

Built somewhere in the 1400's, this is the site of massive significance spiritually & historically to the Incan people .  Tourists from around the world travel to Peru just to see it, and Cuzco is the gateway to Machu Picchu.   We can help you book your tour in advance or when ...

Free-time activities

Machu Picchu Baby!

Built somewhere in the 1400's, this is the site of massive significance spiritually & historically to the Incan people .  Tourists from around the world travel to Peru just to see it, and Cuzco is the gateway to Machu Picchu.   We can help you book your tour in advance or when you arrive in Cuzco.   There are various options including train ride + hike or a 4 day hike.   Book in advance to ensure you get a spot though!

Cuzco
The historic capital of the Inca Empire, rests at very high altitude in the Andes Mountains.   It's really one of the most sought after travel destinations in the world.   Besides just soaking up the atmosphere of Cuzco, some sights to visit include; Cristo Blanco monument offers amazing views of the city, the Planetarium provides Incan history, the ruins of Qorikancha, in the heart of the city or for the foodies, check out the Choco Museo for everything chocolate!

Moray, Maras And Salinas
These are incredible Incan ruins with many levels of concentric circles like an ancient amphitheater.   This is located only a short bus ride from Cuzco with a nice 4km hike to get to the Maras village and a further 9km hike or taxi to the Moray ruins.   A brilliant day out. 

Amazon Jungle
Peru has managed to do a great job in protecting the Amazon, and has many well protected very large forest areas where you can explore with a guide.   Take a boat down the Rio Tambopata river, experience jungle lodges from Peurto Maldonado and experience one of the most bio diverse regions in the entire world!  

Lake Titicaca
The largest lake in South America, is the birthplace of the sun according to Andean legend.  The town of Puno is a great base with cool local culture and nightlife also with various ruins sights scattered around the islands. 

Huacahina
An overnight bus from Cuzco will take approx 20 hours, alternatively you can fly to Lima and take a 5 hour bus.   This area is best known for dune buggy rides, sandboarding and cool bars, cheap cocktails and heaps of fun!

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Education Requirements

Medicine and Health Science at level

Criminal Background Check

required

Required Documents

Proof of medical training/ or a healthcare student (3rd & 4th year)

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 - 15:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Involvement Volunteers IVI

  • Accommodation - Home Stays (Single or twin share rooms, you can choose.)
  • Breakfast & dinner daily 
  • Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
  • Project materials & equipment
  • Central volunteer learning center with free Wifi, computer lab & social opportunities
  • Free salsa lessons & spanish cooking classes
  • Optional Spanish language lessons (at a small fee)
  • Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
  • 1 day orientation
  • In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
  • Fundraising support
  • University course credits (where applicable)
  • Certificate of Completion

Airport Pickup at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport

Complimentary Arrival Transfer.   You’ll arrive at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ).   When clearing immigration it’s best to simply state ‘tourism’.    When you arrive you will be greeted by a member of our local team and taken to the homestay or the volunteer center for orientation.In-Country Transportation.   Most volunteers will use in-expensive bus transport to get around and to travel to the project placements.  Our coordinators will assist you with all the details while in country. A one-way trip rarely costs more than US $0.50 in Cuzco or nearby neighborhoods and maybe US $2 for longer distances. Taxis are also readily available in and around Cusco.  Taxis cost approximately US $3 – $10 depending on duration.  We recommend using formal taxis that use a meter to calculate the fare based on time and distance.

Accommodation

Your accommodation will be in home Stay’s with middle class Peruvian families in Cuzco.  You’ll likely be placed centrally or approx 10-15 min walk to the central volunteer & training center.   You can request to either share with other volunteers or have a private room in the home stay.   For shared rooms, you’ll normally share with 1-3 other volunteers of the same gender and age group.

All host families are very experienced in hosting international volunteers and go through a rigorous process to ensure very high quality standards are met.  (See below pictures of typical houses).  These homes have electricity, western style toilets, running water, bed linen & basic amenities such as clean drinking water.    Hot showers are less common however!

You’ll be provided a key to the house and are free to come and go as you please while being respectful of the house rules of the family.  WiFi is available at some home stay’s however most volunteers will purchase a data plan for cheap to be used with their own device as required.  Most families are happy to help with laundry, but you should expect to pay around US $2 per load if going to a local laundry service.

Food & Beverages

Breakfast & dinner are included each day.   Peruvian food is very nice!   Rice, beans, and corn are popular ingredients, and fresh root vegetables like cassava, taro, and sweet potato are in most dishes.   You can also expect some fruits and vegetables, such as avocados (palta) accompanied by spicy aji salsa.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cuzco. We assist you to find cheap flights to Peru. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Peru provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Peru you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Peru. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 837€
2 weeks 1,174€
3 weeks 1,427€
4 weeks 1,666€
8 weeks (max. stay) 2,660€
Average fees 585€/week

Program fees

585€ per week 1 - 8 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 8 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Involvement Volunteers IVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Involvement Volunteers IVI

Brilliant 4.7 rating (201 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 1989

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Lauren

Spoken languages: English

About the project

IVI are a non profit org with 28 years experience providing responsible volunteer placements in 15 countries worldwide. We help you connect with inspiring opportunities

Meet your organization

Involvement Volunteers International delivers positive social change to developing communities and vulnerable populations through local, national & international volunteering.  Our projects empower the skilled & un-skilled to catalyse the efforts of local partners in creating a better world.


WHO WE ARE

Founded in 1989, IVI is a pioneer of overseas volunteering.  Back when there was no internet and phones were a luxury in many parts of the world, we traveled to developing countries in search of credible NGO's in need of manpower and global volunteer resources.  Some of the many relationships we forged are utilized to this day. 

We are passionate about volunteering and giving back to society and in particular developing communities which are less fortunate than us.  In this way, we combine travelling with volunteering to help people make a positive impact overseas.

SOCIAL EXPERIENCES
All of IVI’s projects have a strong social element at the core.  With more manpower (& womanpower!) we can truly catalyse the efforts of our local partners.  This means you're sure to meet loads of like-minded people from all parts of the world.   This type of experience truly broadens your understanding of the world and yourself, opening your heart to new enlightened ways of thinking .   With your new found travel companions, you'll have plenty of opportunity to explore and have fun!  

Our projects create a unique platform to experience the true heart and soul of a destination rather than simply the tourist areas.   We'll involve you in meaningful & responsible volunteer work that really benefits the local communities.

AFFORDABLE VOLUNTEER TRAVEL
As a non profit org, we are not motivated by shareholder profits.  Our fee structure is fully transparent to ensure volunteers hard earned money is going directly to the areas where it is most needed.  It is vitally important to us that the presence of volunteers has a positive and sustainable impact on the local communities we work with.   

We charge a one off US$275 application fee per volunteer to cover the running of IVI including administration overheads, project inspection costs, marketing, and salaries.

The program fee starts at $150 p/week and goes straight to the in country management to cover arrival airport transfers, on the ground coordination, orientation, accommodation, meals, in country 24/7 project support, project development, donations and related administration costs.   

In comparison to many of our competitors, our programs are incredible value.

SAFETY & RESPONSIBLE PROGRAMS
With approx 80-90% of our volunteers being single young female travelers, volunteer safety is of the utmost importance.  All of our projects include a dedicated 24/7 in-country management support contact as well as a dedicated placement manager pre/post journey.  This ensures you will be cared for every step of the way.    The local teams are highly experienced and qualified to manage emergency situations.

All IVI projects have been personally inspected to ensure the standards meet necessary guidelines for quality and safety.  In addition, we monitor and maintain communication with local embassies to oversee potential issues in order to notify volunteers and their families accordingly.   

Our Australian team are available 24/7 and only a phone call away.

Our responsibility also extends to the local people which is why volunteers working in childcare related fields must provide a criminal background check before they travel.   Our ultimate goal is the long term development of the communities we work with, hence we work closely with our local partners to ensure that projects are needs driven and sustainable. 

SUPPORT

From your very first inquiry, right through to your welcome home, you'll have the same dedicated volunteer manager at every stage.  We are experts in the field and will provide you in depth insights about what to expect and how to prepare to ensure you have an amazing experience overseas.  Every project includes a detailed welcome pack which provides all aspects needed such as in country contacts, what to pack, cultural values, basic language guides and much much more.   

On arrival at your destination, you'll be greeted by one of our in-country team and in many cases 1 week orientation is provided to help ease you into the way of life and ensure you're equipped with the right customs to ensure a successful volunteer abroad experience.  

FUN!
Volunteering abroad is quite possibly the most rewarding experience you will have in your life!   We know this not only through our own experiences, but through the testimonies from thousands of volunteers we have successfully placed worldwide over 27+ years in operation.  Volunteering overseas is not only rewarding.   It's fun!   You're meeting new people, you're seeing new sights, and you're expanding your understanding of yourself and the world.  You're experiencing something real and life changing in many ways...  

GET INVOLVED WITH IVI TODAY!

201 reviews · rating4.7

What a fantastic trip. Getting the opportunity to live in a village for a week was so incredibly special, and all of our hosts quickly became like family. The work itself was challenging at times but very rewarding, and I felt like we were making a difference within the communities that we worked ...
The team of us who were placed in Moala were instantly taken in by the family we were living and were made to feel part of the family. I am grateful for this experience, for the people I met and for the wonderful people who cared for us throughout the 2 weeks. This trip has inspired me to pursue ...
What an incredible experience to be able to live in amongst the island community, fully immersed in village life. I really really enjoyed my stay and it was so amazing to explore the island in my free time. In the classroom, it was mostly helping kids one on one with the work assigned by the ...
I am so blessed to have been lead by amazing dietician and naturopathic professionals who have inspired what I hope to be in this field one day. Words and pictures could never capture how life changing this experience was, and what beautiful souls these people hold. Pictures also don’t capture how ...
There were so many highlights to this trip! However the one that stood out the most was living in Moala village for one week. The team of us who were placed in Moala were instantly taken in by the family we were living and were made to feel part of the family. The people we visited in Moala, Yako ...
hannah rupp rating5

2024 at Primary Teaching Support

I had such a great time in Zanzibar. The accommodation is really good, it’s clean, you have a very sweet balcony and the bedrooms are good. Also the roommates and coordinators are were really nice 🥰 I really enjoyed my time at the school and I loved to work with the kids 🥰 I made so many ...

Location


You might also be interested in

Contact Lauren
  Excellent response rate
English

Most volunteers ask about


Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Lauren
Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy