Health Services, Psychology, and Social Work
BiopsychoSocial Assists families affected by issues such as alcoholism, drug addiction, domestic or sexual abuse and incarceration.
Social Work Department
Assists families affected by issues such as alcoholism, drug addiction, domestic or sexual abuse and incarceration.
Health Services Department
Strives to attain the “right to health” for children, adolescents and their families in the South of Quito through education, health promotion, and relationship building with local health centers. The Department operates CENIT´s infirmary and Market Health Promotion Project at CENIT and in the markets of Chiriyacu-Camal and San Roque.
The Market Health Promotion Project
Works across different market sectors to advocate for the health of children and their families through helping them access local health services and navigate the Ecuadorian healthcare system. The project involves accompanying patients to their appointments, organizing health events to screen the adult population for hypertension and diabetes, and carrying out development assessments and basic medical checks for the children in CENIT´s educational programs.
The Infirmary
Works to ensure the well-being of the students and families at CENIT. Activities include the provision of first aid, basic physical checks for students (carried out twice a year), discussions with families on topics related to hygiene, dental care, and nutrition, and the implementation of health related workshops for children and their families. The infirmary also provides first aid trainings for staff and volunteers and liaisons with local health centers to provide specialized care and follow-up.
Volunteering
Health Promotion Volunteer
As a Health Promotion Volunteer, you will carry out screening programs, public health workshops, assist the local population in accessing necessary treatment and monitor the well being of patients. If you want to gain wide exposure working with diverse age groups in the area of public health and are a self-starter ready to take initiative, this is an excellent opportunity for you!
Responsibilities
- Provide information on nutrition, hygiene and health prevention topics.
- Inform people of local health services available to them.
- Organize health fairs to monitor blood pressure, height, weight and blood glucose.
- Design and implement health workshops for children, parents and CENIT staff.
- Conduct assessments for children in CENIT’s programs to identify any significant developmental delays.
Basic Qualifications
- Minimum commitment of 3 months.
- Intermediate level of Spanish required; advanced Spanish preferred.
- Interest in public health or health promotion; medical experience preferred.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
Assets
Your contribution
We ask each volunteer for a one-time contribution of $100. In exchange, you will receive daily lunch, a CENIT T-shirt and the support of a full-time volunteer coordinator. Your contribution also supports the administrative costs of the volunteer office and helps sustain our programs.
Volunteering
Patient Advocate Volunteer
As a Patient Advocate Volunteer, you will work closely with Ecuadorian staff in the markets to identify disadvantaged indigenous and mestizo families who need help accessing local health services. Many of these families speak Spanish as their second language (Kichwa is their first), and require assistance in accessing local health services. If you are interested in social work, experiencing a different health system and reducing barriers to accessing healthcare, this is an excellent opportunity for you!
Responsibilities
- Work with CENIT’s social worker to identify disadvantaged indigenous and mestizo families who are in need of health assistance.
- Assist families in navigating the Ecuadorian healthcare system. Tasks include: scheduling appointments; accompanying patients to their medical appointments; ensuring the advice given by the doctor is communicated appropriately and sufficiently; and organizing follow-up when required.
- Collaborate with local health centers to plan health promotion workshops and other events in the markets.
- Assist the Health Promotion volunteers in organizing health fairs.
- Help strengthen the relationship between the local health centers and the disadvantaged populations they serve in the Chiriyacu-Camal and San Roque markets.
Basic Qualifications
- Minimum commitment of 6 months; 1 year preferred.
- Advanced level of Spanish required. Kichwa is an added bonus.
- Enthusiasm for working with people.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Interest in human rights, social work and health.
Assets
- Commitment longer than two months.
- Advanced Spanish.
- Experience tutoring and working with children who have learning disabilities.
- Grade school knowledge of reading and writing.
Your contribution
We ask each volunteer for a one-time contribution of $100. In exchange, you will receive daily lunch, a CENIT T-shirt and the support of a full-time volunteer coordinator. Your contribution also supports the administrative costs of the volunteer office and helps sustain our programs.
Volunteering
Pediatric Nurse Volunteer
As a Pediatric Nurse Volunteer, you will serve as an important part of the CENIT team with responsibility for the health services at CENIT’s Clinic. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone seeking the chance to gain clinical and public health experience, while making a real difference in the lives of children and their families.
Responsibilities
- Provide first aid and basic medical care to children who attend CENIT´s school and extracurricular programs.
- Monitor the height, weight and general health of the children.
- Assist families in scheduling medical appointments.
- Schedule a gynecologist to provide check-ups for adolescent girls, and accompany them to medical appointments.
- Teach CENIT staff and volunteers the fundamentals of first aid.
- Conduct health-related workshops.
Basic Qualifications
- Minimum commitment of 6 months; 1 year preferred.
- Advanced level of Spanish required.
- Minimum of 1-year clinical experience.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
Your contribution
We ask each volunteer for a one-time contribution of $100. In exchange, you will receive daily lunch, a CENIT T-shirt and the support of a full-time volunteer coordinator. Your contribution also supports the administrative costs of the volunteer office and helps sustain our programs.