Volunteers participating as a medical volunteer in Ecuador will have various duties depending on education, skills, experience, and qualifications. Volunteers are not permitted to perform major diagnoses or surgical duties. Typically, volunteers assist doctors - usually working as an assistant. Responsibilities include: measuring blood pressure, body temperature, recording patients' height, weight, etc. Volunteers may also provide much-needed assistance in various health "camps," distribute medication, provide tips to patients regarding proper health, nutrition, personal hygiene, sanitation as well as providing general counsel to in-need Ecuadorians. Qualified participants may also assist in treating minor wounds and ailments as well as record-keeping.

Volunteers/Interns interested in joining the volunteer health program in Ecuador must possess some proof of healthcare certification, such as an ID as a medical student, EMT or paramedic certification, or nursing or physician's credentials. Rustic Volunteer Travel 's partnering hospitals/healthcare clinics require a copy of your resume - clearly stating credentials and education - before your arrival at your assigned project.

Rustic Volunteer Travel arranges volunteer meals, accommodations and strong field support for the duration of projects and optional travel packages. In Ecuador , volunteers generally stay with host families and accommodations are simple and clean homes in safe neighborhoods. Volunteers usually have a private bedroom, but occasionally rooms will be shared with a same-gender volunteer. Our host families are well screened and are respected members of their communities who live in affluent neighborhoods. Most of our host families have experience with hosting international volunteers. A host family stay is a great chance for cultural immersion and exchange. Orphanage volunteers may stay at their project as many orphanages have special rooms set aside for international volunteers and these accommodations are normally shared with a same-gender volunteer.

Volunteers receive three local meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). We can provide vegetarian meal options, but needs must be detailed in a volunteer's application. Snacks and beverages outside of mealtimes are not provided; however, there are local restaurants and grocery stores near the residences in which we place volunteers.

Rustic offers unparalleled field support to volunteers to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. Once in Ecuador, there are many layers of support for you. The most important support comes from our country coordinator/field staff. The secondary support comes from the host project staff and members of host families and/or a homebase staff. Volunteers will have access to our country coordinator's mobile number and they are available 24/7. Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. Our field staff will visit regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to make sure things are going well and as planned. However, if placement is far from our local offices, staff members will stay in touch via email/ phone. Volunteers are also welcome to stop in the offices at any time.

Specific details regarding accommodations, food and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival.

Medical/Healthcare projects are available in Quito (officially San Francisco de Quito, the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America) and Galápagos Islands (archipelago of volcanic islands) . Ecuador straddles the equator, from which it takes its name, and is renowned for being one of 17 mega-diverse countries in the world with 1600 bird species and 25,000 species of plants Most of its cities offer most of the amenities you would expect from any city. Volunteers can organize different possible excursions during and after the project to visit places of interest. There is a tourist infrastructure already in place the volunteer can use during weekends. For example: architecture, museums, city tours, fishing, rock climbing, festivals, restaurants, art, music, hotels, and much more.