Medical Internships in Peru

Medical intern Interning on a Medicine & Healthcare project in Peru is a fascinating experience. As a Medicine & Healthcare intern you will gain a great deal of valuable international work experience alongside skilled medical and dentistry professionals. The facilities are generally of basic standard, although the huge disparity between rich and poor means that there are also a number of well-equipped private hospitals in the country.

Our Medicine & Healthcare program in Peru is based in the World Heritage city of Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire. We work with several hospitals in the city and interns are placed according to their experience and preferences.

Interns who are qualified or part way through their medical training often intern at Es Salud hospital, the biggest in Cuzco. The hospital is modern and well equipped and interns can work in a variety of departments with specialists. We also work with the second biggest regional hospital in the Cuzco area as well as with a specialist hospital for anyone focusing on obstetrics and gynecology.

Interns can also work at one of several health clinics where interns with less experience will usually work closely with one doctor who has more time to explain the illnesses and treatments than the staff at the bigger hospitals. The main areas here are general medicine, gynecology and pediatrics. Outreach visits to local communities are also sometimes arranged.

Medical internships in Peru Finally we have the option of working at a children’s rehabilitation hospital. This hospital is run by a priest and looks after many children with special needs. Interns here help feed and play with the children.

Our program coordinator is Patricia Davila, a dentist, with many years of experience in the social health sector in Cuzco. Patricia previously worked for German and Dutch NGO’s and understands the needs of our interns.

Throughout the year we are also invited to help with some specific health campaigns. For example, in September 2008 we were invited to assist with the CIRPLAST campaign where children with a harelip undergo operations. All interns who apply for Medicine & Healthcare in Peru will be kept up to date with these extra projects.

Interns on the medical internships usually work from Monday to Friday and have the weekends free. Daily hours vary from place to place and will be decided during your first meeting with Patricia and your internship supervisor. Please remember that these medical internships needs to be taken seriously and the doctors with whom you work will expect you to be punctual and attentive. Interns with a positive attitude and pro-active approach will get a great deal out of the program.

For all Medicine & Healthcare internships in Peru, you need at least intermediate Spanish.

Nursing and Midwifery Internships in Peru

If you are a trained or training nurse or midwife or simply on a gap year or career-break and interested in gaining some experience in the field, you could intern with us on a Nursing or Midwifery internship in Peru. Our interns work in a variety of hospitals and health clinics in and around Cuzco. Like all our medical-related internships in Peru, intermediate Spanish is needed. Your exact role will be determined by your knowledge and experience, but a willingness to learn and a flexible, enthusiastic attitude is essential.

Dentistry Internships in Peru

Dental internships in Peru take place in health centers and clinics in Cuzco. Our supervising dentists are happy for interns to get involved, regardless of how much experience you have. However, it is important that you are eager to learn and speak intermediate Spanish.

Elective Internships in Peru

Medical outreach in Peru You can do an Elective in Peru in Medicine and Dentistry.

If you wish to do your elective in Peru, you will most likely be working in a large hospital or a health center in Cuzco. You will shadow one of our supervisors who are all very experienced at working with western medical and dental students. They will be eager to test out your knowledge as well as give you the benefit of their training and experience.

Outside of the hospital you will live with a local host family, who will provide you with all your meals outside of your normal working hours. When you aren’t at work there is plenty to do in Cuzco with ancient Inca buildings awaiting discovery amongst the cobble-stoned streets, as well as plenty of bars and restaurants. At the end of your elective why not take a short holiday and trek up to the lost Incan city of Machu Picchu?

All volunteers on Teaching, Care, Culture & Community, Medicine & Healthcare, Sports or Spanish placements in Peru now have the opportunity to add a 7-Day Conservation Project to the end of their main placement.Click here for more information.