Applying for the 2012 Sololá Missions
Applications are now being accepted for the 2012 Sololá Missions:
Feb 25-March 7, 2012 (deadline for submission, July 1, 2011) FULL!!
June 16-27, 2012 (currently accepting applications)
Space is available in all areas except:
anesthesia is full
How do I apply to be a member of the team? See below for specific information on making application. The Northwest portion of the team will depart from Portland (PDX). Team members from other regions will meet the Northwest team in Houston or Guatemala City.
Who may volunteer?
- Skilled licensed medical professionals including surgeons (General, Plastics, Eye and OB/GYN)
- Anesthesiologists and CRNAs
- Nurses in all areas (Clinic, Post OP, Surgery, PACU, Eye, OB/GYN)
- EMTs, CNAs
- Dentists, Assistants and Hygienists
- Optometrists
- Nurse Practitioners
- Pharmacists and technicians
- Ultrasound Technicians
- Sterile Processors
- General Practitioners/Internists/Pediatricians
- McGuyvers
- Along with individuals willing to work hard for small community construction projects, food preparation, language translators
What is the individual cost to go on a mission? $2000 which includes: airfare, hotels and other lodging, most meals, travel insurance, ground transportation, HELPS’ in-country staff support and 3 days of R&R at a very nice hotel in Antigua.
Entirely tax-deductible!
What are my obligations, what are the expectations? As a member of the Cascade Medical Team, you commit yourself to:
● Provide compassionate and skilled medical care to every individual.
● Work in a cooperative and supportive manner with all team members.
● Represent the Cascade Medical Team and HELPS International in a manner that is consistent with being a guest in the country of Guatemala.
What do I need to take (packing)?
What preparation is required?
What is the trip’s itinerary?
What is the mission’s daily schedule?
See Trip Information below.
How do I apply to be a member of the team?
If you are interested in joining the 2012 team, please complete an application, also read and sign a “Medical Release” and a “Statement of Understanding.” All application forms are issued by Helps International and are downloaded from their website.
Please send your completed forms to:
Cascade Medical Team
P.O. Box 528, Eugene, OR 97440.
To obtain application materials, please click on the following link:
http://www.helpsintl.org/forms/default.php
You will need to download the following PDF files:
Medical Application
Medical Release
Statement of Understanding
Application Instructions: When you fill out the application material, please write in the mission code for the team you will be working with.
For the Mission of you choosing, put the project numbers in the upper right hand corner of each page.
For the June Mission the project numbers are:
#1509(medical) and #1584(construction)
Be certain to indicate which position your are applying for.
Reminder: Send your completed forms to:
Cascade Medical Team, P.O. Box 528, Eugene, OR 97440.
Do not send your completed forms to Helps International, this will delay the application process.
Application Processing: Upon a review of an individual’s application and the needs of the mission, a determination will be made as to the applicant’s status. A “Conditional Acceptance” means the applicant has a position on the team contingent upon meeting specified requirements. An “Alternate Status” means the applicant will be offered a position should an opening occur, again contingent upon meeting specified requirements. A “Declined” status indicates a candidate will not be offered a position on this year’s team (this does not mean a candidate is prevented from applying for future missions).
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Packing – What to Bring
❏Passport and security pouch to carry ID and other valuables
❏Small duffle or athletic bag with overnight necessities to carry on the plane for our night stay in Guatemala City. (Your checked bag will go directly to Sololá from the Portland airport)
❏One suitcase for check on. (Maximum weight 50lbs.) **Those traveling from Portland will be assigned a “team” bag as a second check on.
❏Sleeping items: sleeping bag, pad (optional), and pillow
❏Clothing appropriate for the culture. Bring your surgical scrubs (we do have some available at the Bodega to borrow) No shorts in Sololá, or tank tops, mini skirts or revealing clothes. The weather is generally warm 70’s to 80’s but it gets cold at night, 40’s and windy. Shoes for work and walking. Swim suit for the pool in Antigua. A nice outfit for our last nightTues. March 2nd, Team banquet in Antigua.
❏Towel, wash cloth, shower shoes
❏Cash for souvenirs. We can exchange $100 each at the Barceló in Guatemala City. Also there are banks and ATM’s in Antigua. (Guatemalan currency is called Quetzales)
❏You may sign up for optional excursion tours when we arrive in Guatemala City. (More info on that at our last team meeting) You will need extra cash or credit cards* for these excursions (**There is a 5% additional charge to use the credit card for these tours)
❏Personal items including your anti-allergy kit, prescriptions, medications.
❏Earplugs and/or eye mask—People snore!
❏Personal toiletries. Note the new restrictions for carry –on items.
❏Detergent to wash clothes by hand if you want.
❏Make copies of your passport and give to another team member for safekeeping
❏Write down the toll free numbers to report lost credit cards
❏Telephone calling cards can be purchased in Guatemala,
❏Addresses to send postcards to family and friends.
❏Snacks to share with everyone.
❏Camera with lots of film/memory cards. The Guatemalans love Polaroid’s but be careful, you’ll get swarmed!!
❏Bug spray
❏Antibacterial wipes, alcohol rinse for hands, soap
❏Toilet paper for personal use. We do have it stocked in the restrooms on site.
❏Daypack or fanny pack for personal items.
❏Small flashlight or a headlamp is very practical.
❏Sunglasses and sunscreen
❏Water bottle with a screw off cap. (Sports caps are easily contaminated) UNPURIFIED WATER IS YOUR ENEMY!
❏Medical folks remember your stethoscopes, BP Cuffs, pens, etc.
❏Duct or blue tape, the answer to every repair job.
❏Books to read, journal to record your memoirs.
❏Ipods, computers, and other personal electronic devices may be nice but you are responsible to keep them safe. There is a computer lab on site in Sololá to access the Internet for free after 6pm.
❏It will also be a recommendation to bring a 10 day supply of Pepto-Bismol
Take 2 pills 4 times a day is the recommended dosage to prevent traveler’s diarrhea. This will significantly reduce your risk of diarrhea. Antibiotics and other medications are available from our team pharmacists. Team doctors will be announced at a later time.
Remember to only drink purified water. HELPS provided us with plenty.
Do not eat food from street venders
Avoid fruits and vegetables that cannot be peeled, boiled or cleaned appropriately.
Use your hand sanitizer before eating anything.
For this short visit to Guatemala, we want you to have a rewarding experience by being extra careful.
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Airlines Luggage Requirements/Limitations
Carry-On: One piece, maximum of 51 linear inches(L+W+H), maximum of 40 lbs. In addition, a personal bag such as a purse, laptop, or briefcase is allowed.
Checked: two pieces, maximum of 62 linear inches(L+W+H) each, maximum of 50 lbs. each. One piece for you and the other will be an assigned team bag.
Excess: Excess weight or size will result in a charge, you will be responsible for this charge. A third bag can be taken for additional cost, but please do plan to do this.
Aerosol cans may not be allowed.
No sharps are allowed in carry-ons, put them in your checked luggage.
All checked bags are searched by hand for explosive residue or go through a CAT scanner. Team members will assist you if there are questions about a team bag that is being searched. It is not recommended to place locks on the bags, if they have to be opened the lock will be destroyed, at least not until after the hand search. The team bags will be locked with plastic zip ties at the airport.
Tripping the metal detector results in a personal wand scan and pat-down. before going through the metal detector put all metal objects in your carry-on, which will be scanned by the x-ray machine.
Random searches our carried out at randomly selected gates.
You will need your passport for identification, carry it with you when traveling
All carry—on liquids i.e.: toiletries etc. must now be 3oz. Or less and assembled together in a quart sized clear plastic bag for immediate viewing. Any liquids greater than 3 oz. must be placed in checked luggage.
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Daily Schedule(for illustration & subject to modification):
6:30 to 8:30 AM: Breakfast in Dining Room
6:30 AM: Devotions-place to be announced
7:00 AM: OR Staff, Helpers, Translators to OR/Rounds begin on Ward
7:30 AM: Triage Opens/Construction Team prepares for departure
8:00 AM: Nursing Shift change
8:00 AM: Medical/Dental/Eye Clinics Open /OR Schedule Begins
12:00 to 1:30 PM: Lunch served in Dining Room
1:00 PM: Dental, Eye and Medical Clinics reopen
4:00 PM: Nursing shift change
5:00 PM: Construction Team usually returning from field
6:00-7:00 PM: OR closes, Post-Op Rounds, prep for next day
6:00-7:30 PM: Dinner served in Dining Room
7:00 PM: Team meeting in the dining room
12:00 PM: Nursing shift change
**Details are subject to change
