Obstetricians and gynaecologists
Obstetricians and Gynaecologist Roles
Experienced obstetricians and gynaecologists are needed to help make motherhood safer for disadvantaged women and their babies. You’ll need to be a registered obstetrician or gynaecologist with at least three years’ post-registration experience, and you could be working in countries such Indonesia, Kenya or Cambodia.
RCOG and VSO Fellowship programme
UK obstetricians or gynaecologists in ST5 or up can spend a year with VSO as out-of-programme experience, endorsed by the Royal College for Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. As a RCOG/VSO fellow, you’ll have the mentorship of a UK obstetrician and in-country senior doctor, and structured support to show the clinical, teaching, managerial skills and competencies that you gain.
Support
In return, we'll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training prior to your placement, and our financial package includes a living allowance, return flights and visas, accommodation and full medical insurance. When you return home, we'll help and support you to resettle, and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.
Public Sector Pensions
Now is the best time to volunteer. The Government has made funds available for members of public service pension schemes, including obstetricians and gynaecologists, to volunteer for up to two years with their pension paid. This new scheme will benefit you, your career and the UK healthcare system.
Shorter-term roles in 2010
In 2010 we are looking for consultant or senior trainee Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for 3-6 month roles, providing on-the-job teaching and training in emergency obstetrics for doctors in Kratie, rural Cambodia.
Apply nowExample placements
Obstetrics and gynaecology adviser
Cambodia
Cambodia is still coping with the legacy of its civil war of the 1970s, which left the health system decimated: less than 20 doctors survived the Pol Pot regime. Years of work to rebuild health services are making progress but there are many continuing challenges. VSO is working together with Cambodian partner organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of women and children in rural Cambodia, where preventable mortality and morbidity is high. As an Obstetrics and Gynaecology Adviser at Kratie District Hospital, you’ll build the competence and confidence of local doctors to deliver life-saving care. You’ll teach, train and help strengthen the management of services, so that more mothers and their babies benefit from better obstetric care in this rural province.
What does the role involve?
- Working closely with the Director of Obstetric services, providing on the job training and coaching to doctors at Kratie
- Assessing specific and generic training needs of doctors and developing training sessions to top-up relevant skills and knowledge
- Train doctors in basic and emergency obstetric interventions and surgical techniques
- Working with the hospital and surrounding health centres to improve diagnosis and referral systems
Skills, qualifications and experience required
You’ll be a registered obstetrician with at least three years’ experience at registrar level (ST5/6 and above). You’ll need to be competent in basic antenatal, intrapartum and post-partum care and the management of common gynaecological problems. Experience of training others is essential. Members of RCOG in higher specialist training can take this role as a VSO/RCOG Fellowship.
And the rest...
North-eastern Cambodia is one of the most beautiful regions of the world. You’ll be based in Kratie, the friendly provincial capital on the river Mekong, home to the rare Irrawaddy river dolphins. Kratie’s market sells a wide variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and excellent local coffee.
We’ll ask you to commit to 12-24 months, to understand the challenges on the ground and make a sustainable contribution. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package includes a living allowance, return flights, accommodation, health insurance and more. Volunteers working for the UK public sector, including the NHS, can now volunteer with pensions paid. When you return home, we'll help you to resettle, and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.
Obstetrics and gynaecology trainer
Kenya
In Kenya, the WHO estimates that 560 women die for every 100,000 live births. In rural areas, women face a greater risk of maternal mortality, and services are weak, non-existent, or hard to access. VSO is working with hospitals and rural healthcare centres to strengthen obstetric care across the Diocese of Bungoma. You’ll share your specialist expertise to build up obstetric services and develop the skills of staff and community health workers, to improve outcomes for some of the most vulnerable women in Kenya.
What does the role involve?
Working alongside staff to manage and improve the delivery of services
Training staff in two district hospitals and five rural health centres
Training needs include: emergency obstetrics, complications of early pregnancy, preventing the vertical transmission of HIV
Supporting the local continuing medical education programme.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
You’ll be a registered obstetrician with at least three years’ experience at registrar level (ST5/6 and above). You’ll need to be competent in basic antenatal, intrapartum and post-partum care and the management of common gynaecological problems. Experience of training others is essential. Members of RCOG in higher specialist training can take this role as a VSO/RCOG Fellowship.
And the rest...
You’ll be based in Nangina Hospital in Western Kenya, near the border with Uganda. It’s a beautiful, remote area. Newcomers always arouse interest at first, so be prepared for celebrity! However, the hospital is used to hosting international workers, and the staff are friendly and welcoming. You’ll live in a simply furnished two-bedroom house on the hospital grounds, with running water and electricity.
We’ll ask you to commit to 12 months to understand the challenges on the ground and make a sustainable contribution. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and cover living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more.
