Physiotherapists
We're occasionally looking for experienced physiotherapists to develop rehabilitation services in hospitals and community-based clinics.
Roles are generally longer term, ranging from one to two years, but we also sometimes have short-term assignments for up to six months.
You’ll be registered, with at least five years' post-qualifying experience including experience of working with disabled people and, ideally, experience of managing or training others. Experience in a community setting is an advantage for many roles, which involve creating services to support disabled people outside of a hospital setting.
What you'll be doing
The United Nations Development Programme estimates that more than 80 per cent of the world’s 650 million disabled people live in poorer countries. Many have little or no access to rehabilitation services, education or employment.
Your work will enable more disabled people to realise their rights, fulfil their potential and overcome exclusion from their communities. You'll share your skills to train local rehabilitation staff, or help set up and develop physiotherapy services. Countries where you could be working include Indonesia, India and Tajikistan.
Example roles
Please note these are just example placements to illustrate the kind of roles that may come up in your skill area.
Physiotherapist
Ghana
You'll be working at New Horizon Special School supporting children with cerebral palsy to participate in school activities.
Economically, Ghana is one of the most successful countries in Africa. Since 2000 it has experienced a sustained period of economic growth, and in recent years has seen one of fastest rates of poverty reduction in Africa. In spite of this progress, 40 per cent of the population still live below the poverty line of US$1 a day, with children and the disabled being among the most disadvantaged groups.
VSO is working in Ghana to enable people with disabilities to fulfil their potential in sustainable ways. New Horizon Special School provides academic and vocational education to children and adults with a range of physical and learning difficulties. As a resident physiotherapist, you’ll support children with cerebral palsy to participate in school activities.
What does the role involve?
- Managing a caseload of children with cerebral palsy at New Horizon Special School
- Developing and facilitating physiotherapy training sessions and workshops for school staff
- Supporting initiatives to raise awareness of the issues facing children with cerebral palsy amongst staff and the community
- Developing, delivering and documenting best practice in physiotherapy
- Liaising with appropriate donors for funds and materials to support the programmes offered at the New Horizon Special School
Skills, qualifications and experience required
You’ll need to be a qualified physiotherapist with five years’ post-qualification experience, and considerable experience of working with disabled children. Some experience of supervising or training would be useful, as would familiarity with Bobath or neurodevelopmental therapy approaches. Strong organisational skills, the ability to be a good team player and build effective working relationships are essential. Flexibility, patience and a good sense of humour are important traits in all VSO volunteers as things often either take much longer than what you are used to back home or everything happens at a moment’s notice.
And the rest...
Ghana is located on West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, a few degrees north of the Equator, bordering Ivory Coast to the west, Burkina Faso to the north and Togo to the east. Ghana has a tropical climate that varies from the warm and dry coastal belt in the southeast to a hot and dry northern savannah. You’ll be based in Accra, the political, economic and industrial hub of Ghana. The area is costal Savannah, with large areas of grassland and Sahel desert terrain, dotted with the unusual looking boab trees.
Stories
FAQ
How do I find out if you need my skills?
Take a look at our volunteer roles section to see what skills we need.
Contact us
+44(0)20 8780 7500
9am-5pm, Mon-Fri
