Volunteer: Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

Recruiting qualified Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists to Train and Mentor Local PT/OT Technicians in Haiti

Background: The January 12, 2010 earthquake that struck Haiti killed nearly a quarter of a million people, leaving thousands more with significant crush injuries. Project HOPE responded by delivering over $80 million in medicines and supplies and mobilized over 100 medical volunteers to serve

on the USNS Comfort – the Navy hospital ship treating the most severe trauma cases. After the disaster response phase, Project HOPE focused upon Haiti’s recovery by helping crush victims overcome their injuries and improve their quality of life by establishing one of the country’s first free, comprehensive rehab and prosthetic facility for amputee victims. The Rehabilitation Center is known as “Chanje Lavi,” which means “Changing Lives” in Creole. Project HOPE and its partners established the facility, comprised of three modular buildings on the grounds of Hôspital Adventiste d’Haiti.

In 2012 Project HOPE launched a large-scale rehabilitation and reintegration of persons with disabilities program with the support of USAID. Project HOPE, in association with two Haitian and one international organization, is strengthening a comprehensive system to provide the full range of quality services for disabled persons that extends from community based rehabilitation and supportive care up to advanced surgical interventions. The primary focus is building the capacities of rehabilitation centers to improve access to quality services, satisfy the needs of disabled persons, and improve their quality of life. Additional training and mentoring will be provided to departmental hospitals to strengthen their surgical interventions and better patient outcomes.

The result of this program will be a service chain that extends from the community upward to tertiary facilities and provides the full range of services that people with disabilities need. These services will include: medical care, to include corrective surgery; provision of mobility devices including prosthetics, orthotics, wheelchairs, canes, and crutches; physical and occupational therapy onsite, as well as training for caregivers to assist the disabled in independent therapy; psychosocial support, including counseling and education; coaching and the provision of simple support for independent living; and economic and vocational training. By project end, many disabled people will have an improved quality of life with better reintegration into society as productive members.

Mission: Project HOPE is seeking Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists to serve as volunteers to assist in strengthening the capacity of rehabilitation centers to provide quality services to people with disabilities. Volunteers will be assigned to a rehab center to provide hands-on support and mentoring to center technicians in their care of patients.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with rehab center staff in strengthening their overall ability to provide a full range of quality services to people with disabilities.

• Conduct needs assessment of rehabilitation capacity, and technician capabilities. Make recommendations for addressing weaknesses and assist in making improvements.

• Help ensure patients have appropriate individualized rehabilitation plans, and that the plans are being followed correctly.

• Provide hands-on support and mentoring to technicians to strengthen their capabilities and improve patient care. Work with technicians to improve patient-centered results.

• Strengthen information management systems for tracking patient outcomes.

Mission Deliverables Include:

• Strengthen service centers to increase access to a full range of quality services for people with disabilities.

? Strengthened skills of service center OT & PT staff in providing hands-on care.

? Improved patient-centered results.

Location: Haiti (various locations)

Reports to: Haiti Program Director, Dr. Lucien Armand

Needs and Requirements: Project HOPE is looking for up to 5 volunteers to work at the 5 selected local centers (one per site).

As we aim to ensure continuity of support and the development of mentoring relationships, volunteers should serve three-week assignments several times throughout the year (three+ trips are preferred).

Requirements: Applicants must have, at a minimum:

• International level training (or equivalent) with accreditation. State licensure required for US citizens.

• Minimum of 3 years practical work experience in a rehabilitation setting.

• Experience with clinical mentoring.

• Conversant in English & French/Creole.

• Ability to work independently.

• Cares about helping others.

Applicants are recommended to have:

• Prior experience living in a developing country environment.

Visa Requirement: NO

Malaria Prophylaxis Requirement: YES

Vaccine Recommendations: MMR, DPT, Polio, Hep A, Hep B, and Typhoid

Expenses:

1) Project HOPE-Haiti will fund one economy-class roundtrip ticket, and all lodging and meals at a local bed and breakfast selected by HOPE staff.

2) Project HOPE-Haiti will provide a meet/greet service and the airport and transportation to the center.

3) Project HOPE headquarters will provide all volunteers medical liability insurance, evacuation insurance, and worker’s compensation benefits.

4) The volunteer would be responsible for obtaining temporary traveler’s health insurance.

Apply now