A Christian Charity Hospital [Hospital Vozandes Oriente] at the edge of the Amazon jungle of Ecuador is looking for a volunteer radiographer (also qualified as a sonographer if possible but not essential) to work in the 'Radiology' department (1 x-ray room, 1 ultrasound room, image intensifier and mobile x-ray) for a minimum of 3 months (but much longer if willing).

The hospital provides subsidised healthcare to some of the poorest people of Ecuador, many of whom live in the Amazon rainforest or up in the Andes mountains.

The hospital is funded by a mix of local charges and donations from the US and Europe. It employs a mixture of volunteer foreign nationals and paid qualified locals. Unfortunately one of the current radiographers has recently left, leaving a local Sonographer who works 3 out of 4 weeks. The hospital has been unable to find either a suitably qualified local or foreign volunteer as yet.

In 2005/2006 I spent a year working in charge of the department and found the work demanding but extremely rewarding and the people friendly and welcoming. While there is no teaching aspect involved in this role, it is a great opportunity to develop skills in organisation and conventional (screen/film) radiography while providing care to the underserved of Ecuador.

An average day can involve between 8 and 20 departmental and ward x-rays as well as 24 hour on-call for 2 weeks of each month (although callouts are not that common and for emergencies only). Between 5 and 10 ultrasound scans are carried out each day (either by the Sonographer or one of the doctors).

The hospital operates in Spanish therefore ideally a basic command of Spanish would be desirable although this can be learnt at a Spanish school for a month upon arrival. The majority of volunteer professionals are American and therefore English is also widely spoken. A proportion of the patients that attend the hospital speak neither Spanish or English, only their native indigenous language.

The climate is tropical (around 28 degrees with rain most days) but is not uncomfortable. Accommodation is provided at a small cost.

This role is completely voluntary and self-funded however living costs are extremely low in this part of Ecuador.

If there is any interest in this position either temporarily or permanent, please contact fjudd@hcjb.org or ewolff@hcjb.org

The hospital may be viewed at this website; www.hospitalshell.com/english/