Lao People's Democratic Republic (the): Medical Volunteers

BACKGROUND:
Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC) is an acute pediatric teaching hospital situated in Luang Prabang Lao PDR. It is operated by Friends Without A Border (FWAB), a New York based non-profit organization dedicated to providing world-class compassionate health care to children in the remote areas of Southeast Asia. The hospital opened in early 2015 on the same campus as the Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital. Average daily census of LFHC now exceeds 40 patients in the inpatient wards and over 120 outpatients per day.

LFHC is a teaching hospital offering emergency, inpatient, outpatient, surgical services, neonatal care, a thalassemia clinic, and a development clinic to babies and children from throughout Northern Lao. Limited on-site medical imaging, pathology and pharmacy services together with a home care program complement the clinical activities. Approximately 20 doctors, 50 nurses, 20 paramedical professionals and a supportive team of 30 members are employed at the hospital.

Together with the provision of clinical services, a major goal of this hospital is to promote the clinical learning and professional development of the local Lao staff such that key positions within the hospital are progressively filled by a well-trained and dedicated local workforce. Doctors and nurses from district hospitals, students from the local University of Health Science and residents from the Lao pediatric residency program all study and train at LFHC contributing to a dynamic learning environment.

SUMMARY:
We are looking for short or long-term volunteer doctors (pediatricians, ER doctors or family doctors) to work in our pediatric hospital in the beautiful town of Luang Prabang, Laos.

Doctors would work with the Laotian and international team, with the main responsibilities being clinical supervision and teaching recent Lao graduates. The position requires a minimum of 1 month commitment, longer commitments preferred and much appreciated.

This is a unique opportunity for those looking to gain international public health & clinical experience in a developing/lesser-developed country setting. Luang Prabang is a quiet and charming tourist-friendly town along the banks of the Mekong River. There are plenty of opportunities for weekend sightseeing trips in the surrounding area.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Registered in home country;
• Must have pediatric experience; strong preference for pediatricians
• Teaching, administrative and management experience.
• Committed to providing compassionate care to patients and families.
• Ability to interact with people from various countries and backgrounds with tact, diplomacy and poise.
• Demonstrated leadership, integrity, and a confidence–inspiring attitude.
• Experience practicing medicine in a low or middle income country would be a plus.

This is a volunteer position with a preferred 1 month minimum commitment up to 6+ months. The position is required to be filled throughout the year and as such applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Please email a cover letter and resume to: medicaldirector@fwablaos.org with the subject “Volunteer Doctor”.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviewing.