Health Check Team 2024

Status Actively Recruiting
Application Deadline August 31, 2023

The School of St Jude is a charity-funded international non-governmental organization (iNGO) that provides a free, quality education to 1,800 primary and secondary students from the poorest communities in Arusha and surrounding regions.

As our school continues to grow rapidly, we are seeking dedicated volunteers to join our team in Arusha, Tanzania. By becoming part of our Health Check Team, you will play a crucial role in supporting the Student Health and Welfare team. Your primary responsibility will be to identify students who may have health problems that could potentially hinder their ability to learn and achieve their full potential, providing them with appropriate advice and support.

At a glance
  • Volunteer period: 18th February – 1st March 2024 (2 weeks, unpaid)
  • Accommodation provided
  • You will be responsible for covering your food costs.
Key Responsibilities

As a member of the Health Check team, you will work closely with the Team Leader, Community Relations Manager, Community Relations Team Lead, and Health and Welfare Assistant Team Lead to conduct comprehensive health checks. This includes;

  • Performing various assessments such as height and weight measurements, vision testing, hearing screening, brief physical examinations, and recognizing signs of emotional well-being in students. 
  • Collaborate effectively within the team, following the direction of the Team Leader, Community Relations Team Lead, and Health and Welfare Assistant Team Lead. 
  • Conduct health checks, adhering to standard protocols and procedures outlined in the Information Pack. 
  • Provide guidance and support to students and Health and Welfare staff regarding common conditions observed during health checks. 
  • Assist students identified with specific, less common, and more serious health issues. 
  • You will be required to document your findings and recommendations accordingly. 
Qualifications, Skills & Attributes
  • Current registration with a relevant health professional body, as applicable to the specific clinical roles (see Skills and Competence below).
  • Current police/Working With Children Check.
  • Ability to work effectively in a team, even in unfamiliar and challenging environments.
  • Proficiency in using relevant equipment within your field of expertise.
Skills and Competence

We require volunteers with various skill sets: 

  • Health professionals experienced in conducting medical assessments of children and/or adolescents. This may include experienced General Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners specializing in child health, and Pediatricians. 
  • Health professionals capable of performing vision assessments. This may include optometrists, orthoptists, ophthalmologists, and nurses. 
  • Health professionals skilled in hearing screening and interpretation of results. Depending on the available equipment, hearing testing may also be required. 
  • Individuals who are highly organized, and enjoy working with children and adolescents. Desirable attributes include an understanding of medical terminology and experience working with individuals with disabilities like vision impairment and cerebral palsy. This role may interest allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, or university students pursuing health professions. Candidates with experience in psychology and/or social work, particularly in cross-cultural environments, will also be considered. 
  • An individual with a health background who has experience working with REDCap and could assist with managing the database during the Health Checks.

St Jude's is located in Arusha, a town that serves as the gateway to popular East African national parks and game reserves suck as Ngorongoro Crater, the vast plains of Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and Arusha National Park. It is also near to Mt. Kilimanjaro (The Largest Free-Standing Mountain in the World). You'll have the opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty of Africa before and/or after your volunteer period at the school.  

For further details on the medical checks involved, please download our Information Pack.

For additional information or inquiries about the medical checks, please contact: 

Jane Larkin, Health Check Team Leader, at janelarkin1@gmail.com 

Community Relations Team at St Jude’s, at communityrelations@schoolofstjude.co.tz

Interested in applying?

Interested candidates for these volunteer positions are kindly requested to send their CV and a cover letter to janelarkin1@gmail.com Please cc Philip.m@schoolofstjude.co.tz  and lisa.p@schoolofstjude.co.tz. The application should be sent by August 31st, 2023. Later applications will be considered. The subject line must include the position applied for. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.