How do
I become a volunteer?
- Check the schedule for a trip for which you would
be interested in volunteering.
- Complete a volunteer
application and mail it in to RAM Headquarters,
including all licensing pertaining to your profession.
- Volunteers should receive an e-mail confirmation that their services are needed, along with other pertinent clinic information, within 4 weeks of the clinic you have chosen to attend. If you have not been contacted 4 weeks prior to the clinic you plan to attend, please send an e-mail to laurak@ramusa.org.
- Volunteers will be responsible for
transportation to and from the expedition
location. You will need to maintain contact with RAM
volunteers to check the status of the expedition, and to
acquire necessary information regarding clinic details.
- If there is not a need for your skills or if there is not space available on a particular
expedition, please check back again. We have expeditions year round.
*** Note: Refer to the Volunteers
and Expeditions pages
for more details on what to expect as a volunteer.
I called RAM headquarters
but did not receive a return call.
- This happens occasionally, due to the heavy volume
of correspondence. It is the responsibility of the
volunteers to stay in touch with headquarters. Please
call back if you have not received all of the information
that is needed to prepare for an expedition.
I have a pilot's license.
Is there a need for my services?
- Pilots are required on many RAM expeditions. We
need the services of those who own their own plane
and are willing to donate their services. If you are
a pilot, have your own plane, and are willing to
help out with expeditions, both domestic and abroad,
please contact us. We have a great need for your services.
I'm a dentist and would
be interested in working with RAM. When and where do
you need dentists?
- We need dentists on all of our expeditions, both domestic
and abroad, unless otherwise specified.
What are the qualifications?
- All health care practitioners wishing to volunteer must have a current, valid
medical license. For U.S expeditions, you must be
licensed in the United States.
Please describe the
working conditions.
- Well, it is not your typical 9 to 5 workday. The
conditions are often harsh. Volunteers should plan to wear comfortable shoes. General sleeping quarters
and bathing can be minimally comfortable at best.
General sleeping quarters can be your tent, bathing
can be the closest river, food is minimal and usually
bad. Situations are somewhat more hospitable for U.S.
expeditions.
What are the costs involved?
- Volunteers are responsible for their own travel and accommodations.
Occasionally, local host communities may secure discounts for RAM Volunteers - please ask before making arrangements. Food is usually (but not always) provided. For domestic expeditions, meals are provided on-site. As always, check with RAM Headquarters before making travel plans. You may contact laurak@ramusa.org with questions regarding specific expeditions.
Are there age restrictions?
- The expeditions are very physically demanding, but
if you still have the desire and the ability to "kick
up your heels" and work long, hard hours, we would
love to have you. Our volunteers are all adult ages.
May
teenagers volunteer, too?
- If you would like to bring your teenaged
child with you to a domestic expedition, please note that RAM Expeditions are not appropriate places for children under the age of 14 and that no one under the age of 18 will be allowed to be in areas where they may be subjected to blood-borne pathogens and/or confidential patient information. For 14 and 15-year-old teens, parents should be able to supervise them at all times - if you are a physician, dentist, or other health practitioner please understand that this may mean that another parent will need to attend in order to supervise the child. For 16 and 17-year-old children of a physician, dentist, or other health practitioner, a parent should be on-site at all times teens are present. *Please feel free to contact us with questions!
- If you are interested in bringing your teenaged child with you on an international expedition, please contact RAM.
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