Volunteer Psychologists needed in Peru

Hospital in Peru

This voluntary psychology project helps provide vital treatment for patients in hospitals and care centres in Peru.

Peru suffers from poverty, lack of resources and an often inaccessible landscape. They also have a lack of skilled professionals in specialist fields such as psychology. As a result, patients with mental illness can fail to receive the treatment they need.

On this project we aim to provide volunteers to help local staff deal with an increasing workload. This project is ideal for anyone qualified looking for voluntary work abroad or psychologists on a career break.

Here you will find answers to the following questions:

How can volunteer psychologists help in Peru?

What will I gain from this project?

What will Projects Abroad PRO provide?

What skills or qualifications do I need?

How do I apply to join this project?

How can volunteer psychologists help in Peru?

As a volunteer psychologist you can use your knowledge and training to help local staff. You can work on tasks such as:

• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside local medical staff to assess and treat patients’ needs, including tasks such as:
  • Performing psychometric tests, interviews and behavioural observation.
  • Devising and monitoring appropriate programmes of treatment.
  • Offering therapy for difficulties relating to a variety of medical conditions.
• Helping with medical outreach programmes in nearby towns and villages (optional).
• Observing and assessing the work of local trainee psychologists.
• Helping with workshops designed to improve care standards at hospitals and care centres.

In Peru we work with government hospitals that provide treatment for patients in the area of Cusco. However, it may also be possible for you to spend some time working in local care centres with children. The aim is to provide treatment for those who cannot afford private clinics.

You will be expected to work from around 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, as with all hospitals, these hours may change depending on shift patterns. Your exact hours can be discussed with your supervisor when you arrive.

It is important that you are able to speak Spanish to at least an intermediate level for this project.

This project runs all year round so you can join at any time. You decide how much time you can spare and we will help you get the most out of it.

What will I gain from this project?

Medicine in Peru

This voluntary work abroad will allow you to gain experience of the methods used to treat patients in the developing world. You will be challenged to work under pressure and with limited resources. You will also get to work alongside local professionals who will want to share ideas. Helping local people who cannot afford private treatment is also a very rewarding experience.

You can learn about Peru’s culture and way of life through interacting with local people. Staff and patients will want to hear about your life back home and your family and friends. We call this ‘cultural exchange’ and we think it helps our volunteers gain a new perspective on life.

What will Projects Abroad PRO provide?

We have over 19 years’ experience of running volunteer projects. We provide you with the following support to make sure your time in Peru is successful and enjoyable:

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

What skills or qualifications do I need?

If you have completed at least a Bachelors Degree in Psychology then you are perfectly suited to this project. You will also need to speak Spanish to at least an intermediate level.

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