LABORATORY TECHNICIAN INTERNSHIP.

Bathing in dirty water, unclean, dust lead to a number of different ailments. Malaria is a problem and there is a new case everyday - testing in the laboratory focuses mainly on blood but also urine and others. HIV testing is also common. The laboratory itself is a small space but it is always busy as it is much in demand, and the waiting area outside is often full of patients, young and old. Come and work in a laboratory in Ghana and gain an insight not only into local diseases and diagnosis but also to work alongside a hard working friendly local team.

Why choose this project?
Volunteering in a laboratory is not the most common project choice for those considering embarking upon a volunteering trip and projects based in laboratories are few and far between. Because volunteering abroad in a laboratory is relatively unheard of many laboratories go without volunteer support when it is, in fact, something that would benefit them greatly. For anyone with an interest in a laboratory placement this project is a great place to start. The hospital values the addition of international volunteers to its team as it strongly believes in cross culture awareness and the building of global citizenship.

Role of the volunteer
Volunteers will assist wherever is needed in the laboratory. Your role will vary depending on your experience but you will work under the supervision of a local clinician. Activities may involve talking to patients, recording information, logging information onto the hospital computer system, administering the appropriate tests and also analyzing laboratory results. Whether you have experience or not is not important as there are many tasks that you can get involved in and the work you do will be greatly appreciated by local staff.
No particular skills are required to take part in the project although any experience will certainly be helpful to you. You must have a keen interest in volunteering in a laboratory, be enthusiastic and willing to take on any task that is given to you.
Volunteers interested in tropical diseases, lab chemistry, microbiology, hematology will find this placement very interesting and anyone who is an expert or has proven skills in an area may be able to do extra tasks under supervision.