Volunteer Physiotherapists needed in India

Physiotherapist volunteer in India

This volunteer physiotherapy project offers placements in a number of facilities, providing hands on physiotherapy and training.

Physiotherapy is in critical need in areas where there are under resourced units or there is no existing provision at all. Your contribution in treating patients and developing staff awareness is highly sought after. Improving existing facilities and setting up new physiotherapy departments is also much needed.

You have the opportunity to work with adults or children.

How can volunteer physiotherapist help in India?

St Joseph’s Hospice for the Dying Destitute is an establishment with the most need. It is an inspiring place that is very popular with general medical volunteers but is in real need for a professional physiotherapy volunteer. It currently has no physiotherapy facility in place. Shine Educational Trust also requires a professional volunteer. This unit has trained physiotherapists. What is needed here is training in modern physiotherapy techniques. Amar Seva Sangem is our third facility which provides physiotherapy for children under the age of 5 suffering with Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and Congential Deformities. It also treats adults suffering with back injuries and trauma. It is a real hands-on patient care placement.

In all three placements and particularly in Amar Seva Sangem your role will include:

• Examining patients to identify their physical problem.
• Administering treatment.
• Developing and reviewing treatment programmes.
• Writing patient case notes and reports.
• Educating and advising patients and their carers about how to manage patients conditions.

Where the help is really needed in St Josephs Hospice and the Shine Educational Trust is in

• Training nurses in physiotherapy techniques.
• Training nurses in recognising which treatment is applicable.
• Helping staff set up/develop their physiotherapy units.

You will work from 18-35 hours a week - and sometimes out of hours - depending on the individual project and how you develop your role with your project supervisor.

This project runs all year.

What will I gain from this project?

You will be involved with a friendly and highly dedicated team who are committed to the service they provide. Working with often limited resources and staff lacking technical knowledge and training, you will be able to adapt and develop your existing expertise to a different working environment. You will often face challenges not experienced in your home country. Through this cultural exchange you will learn different methodologies and techniques in your own discipline.

You will also have the opportunity to develop skills and experience in a wide variety of areas. These could be (and are project dependent)

• Assessment of the needs of the project partner.
• Collaborating with the project partner to develop more efficient and effective systems in the workplace.
• Collaborate with the project partner to develop outreach programmes in the local community and beyond.
• Use your expertise to train staff and other volunteers.
• Using your initiative and problem solving skills to develop, set up and manage projects/programmes.
• Monitor existing or new projects/programmes.
• Develop and contribute to project evaluation reports to help with continuity between volunteers.

All of these can provide you with valuable experience and transferable skills useful for your career, and make valuable use of your existing expertise where it is truly needed.

What will Projects Abroad PRO provide?

We have over 20 years’ experience of running volunteer projects. We provide you with the following support to make sure your time in India is successful and enjoyable:

• Safe accommodation with an Indian family close to your project.
• Friendly and dedicated local staff available to help 24 hours a day.
• A friendly member of staff available to meet you on arrival at the airport.
• Comprehensive medical and travel insurance.
• Social events with other volunteers such as a weekend trip to a local tourist destination.

What skills or qualifications do I need?

If you have at least a Bachelors Degree in Physiotherapy or a related subject then you will be suited for this project.

Ideally, a qualified Physiotherapist would also possess at least two years’ experience of practicing professionally.

Specific specialisms or interests in your field will be highly desirable. Please discuss this with us on application.

Please contact us if you think your knowledge may be useful on this project but do not have the required qualifications.