Become a volunteer

Do you want to volunteer?

The Elena Barraquer Foundation team that is part of the surgical assistance expeditions consists of: ophthalmological surgeons, clinical ophthalmologist, anesthesiologist, surgical instrument technician, optometrists and field assistants.

The medical staff are volunteers with the appropriate specialization to perform their duties. Optometrists must have experience in clinical optometry, which includes skills in performing biometrics and operating the measuring equipment used in ophthalmological evaluations.

Field assistants are volunteers who do not need to have a specific qualification.

Surgical candidates on our expeditions, regardless of their experience, will participate as consulting ophthalmologists on their first trip. This allows them to observe the daily operations, workflow, patient processes, surgical complications, and more. Once there, they will have the opportunity to perform a surgery and test the resources available on our expeditions.

Regardless of the country of origin or the destination of the expedition, all volunteers must meet in Barcelona to begin the journey with the rest of the team, and return to Barcelona at the end of the mission, without exception.

The Elena Barraquer Foundation handles visa applications, although the cost is borne by the volunteers. It also manages entry procedures and provides accommodation and meals for all volunteers participating in our expeditions.

Features

Field assistant

Assist the scrub nurse in preparing surgical instruments.
Clean and sterilize the instruments.
Support patients when entering or leaving the operating room when necessary.
Assist the consulting ophthalmologist or anesthesiologist.

Ophthalmologist

Select patients for surgery.
Coordinate the consultation.
Monitor post-operative patients.

Field assistant

Perform biometry tests.
Assist in coordinating the consultation.
Assist in monitoring post-operative patients.

Work plan

On the first day (Sunday), luggage is unpacked and the operating room is set up. This usually takes around 4–5 hours.

The schedule from Monday to Friday is as follows, although it may vary depending on the country/hospital:

06:30 – Breakfast
07:00 – Leave the accommodation
08:00 – Set up the operating room
08:30 / 09:00 – Start surgeries
14:00 – Lunch break
14:30 – Set up the operating room again and resume surgeries until all patients are treated
After the last patient, clean up the operating room, return to the accommodation, and have dinner

On the last day (Saturday), the final patients operated on Friday are reviewed, the operating room is dismantled, and all equipment is packed up.

Responsibility

Cover the cost of the flight to the destination country (the expedition departs from and returns to Barcelona), as well as any internal flights. The volunteer agrees to travel with the Fundación Elena Barraquer team, who will purchase the ticket, and the volunteer must reimburse the amount to the following account: Banc de Sabadell ES 51 0081 5084 0400 0154 1460, indicating their name and expedition. Ticket costs are non-refundable if the volunteer ultimately decides not to travel.
Provide all required documentation within the indicated timeframe.
Hold a passport with a minimum validity of 1 year.
Have all vaccinations required by the destination country up to date. Each volunteer must consult their local international vaccination center to confirm mandatory vaccines for their destination. Fundación Elena Barraquer does not provide information regarding vaccinations.
Be adaptable to certain inconveniences or situations.
Maintain appropriate conduct during travel and while at the workplace. Remember, you are representing Fundación Elena Barraquer.
Be responsible for the duties and responsibilities assigned.
Be able to keep up with the work pace. Remember, this is not a vacation or tourism activity.
Follow the instructions of the expedition leader.
Have valid accident insurance and provide a copy to the foundation before departure.
Sign the following documents before departure: personal data form, volunteer commitment, informed consent, emergency contact details, voluntary acceptance of risk and liability waiver for accidents/illness, and confidentiality agreement.

Application Form

Full Name

ID / Tax Number

Email Address

Phone Number

Address

Postal Code

City

Country

Which expedition would you like to join?

Select the type of volunteering you are interested in:

Curriculum Vitae (CV) (PDF format, max size 2MB)

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Additional CV Information

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