Overseas Volunteer Opportunities
Urgent Need for an Orthopaedic Surgeon in Nepal
Tansen Mission Hospital in Nepal is urgently seeking an orthopaedic surgeon for the period 12th - 26th October to cover the sole resident surgeon's period of leave. Please visit: www.tansenhospital.org.np/jobs
Opportunities exist for members of WOC in the following countries:
The BMA International Department has developed a guidance document for doctors to take time out to work and train in developing countries. 'Broadening your horizons: a guide to taking time out and work and train in developing countries' has been developed in consultation with key bodies from medical education and employment.
This new guidance outlines national policies as well as examples of best practice and is aimed at both doctors and those in medical education and employment. The BMA aims for this document to support doctors at all stages of their careers to take time to work in developing countries.
The following opportunities exist for orthopaedic trainees:
- Malawi (pdf)
- South Africa (pdf)
- Attending short term teaching visits to numerous other countries, accompanying senior visiting surgeon. Please contact the "link-man" of any of the above countries for information on forthcoming visits. Click here for an example of one SpR's trip to Ethiopia (pdf)
- Why bother going overseas as a trainee? Click here for some personal reflections (pdf)
- Information for Specialist Registrars planning visits abroad (pdf)
The following overseas opportunities have been submitted to WOC-UK for publicity:
WOC-UK cannot endorse any of the posts as the we have no first-hand experience on which to base a recommendation. Please refer to contact details attached for further information
Information for Consultants surgeons planning trips abroad:
- Most new contracts allow for a variable allocation of "special" or professional" leave with full salary. Download an example of a referenced letter requesting leave (pdf)
- It is widely recognised that as Trusts go bankrupt and PCTs run out of cash, so great pressure will be put on surgeons to drop to a maximum of 10 paid PAs. Why not be pro-active in offering a job plan which complies but gives you an extra 8 weeks of paid leave each year for overseas work.
- Don't forget to contact your medical indemnity organisation (MPS, MSS) if you are working abroad. They don't normally charge much for indemnity cover, but this is normally not covered by indigenous hospitals, NGOs or WOC-UK.
Useful links:
- "Bringing it Back to Blighty", Nick Banatvala and Annie Macklow-Smith, BMJ 1997; 314 (external link)
- Integrating overseas work with an NHS career; Nick Banatvala and Annie Macklow-Smith, BMJ 7093 Volume 314: Saturday 24 May 1997 (external link)
- "Working Overseas: From Individual To Organisational Strategy" Nick Banatvala and Ivan Scott, BMJ 2001 323:2 (external link)
- Why bother volunteering at all? (pdf)
