Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Trainer -Volunteer in the Cook Islands

Closing Date: 11 December 2024

Category: Healthcare & Medical

Change your scene and become a VSA Volunteer and share your experience, knowledge, and skills to transform the lives of many. Work with our partner organisation to create a fair future for all. 
 
VSA will organise and fund, flights, visas, insurance, accommodation, living allowance and utilities while on assignment. 

Please note VSA Volunteers must be a NZ citizen or permanent resident. 

Volunteering with VSA 
 
Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) is not your typical volunteering agency, we are committed to building sustainable communities across the Pacific. If you’re an experienced Physiotherapist, looking for an extraordinary overseas experience in the Pacific to build into your field of expertise – working collaboratively with the Te Vaerua Community Rehabilitation Servicethen read on, as we have an exciting opportunity in store for you!
 
Our Partner Organisation - Te Vaerua Community Rehabilitation Service
Te Vaerua is an NGO established in 2006 to provide rehabilitative services to those in the Cook Islands who have experienced an accident, stroke, disability, or NCD related illness.
Their vision is that all Cook Islanders live healthier lives maximising their functional potential as a result of a disabling condition.

The Assignment

Te Vaerua is currently focused on building capacity within their rehabilitation services, using a multidisciplinary approach to train rehabilitation assistants and building the skills and knowledge of staff within leadership positions.

You will work alongside Te Vaerua to support them to:

  • Strengthen support services for physical and holistic health care to people in the community. 
  • Improve the quality of rehabilitative care and resources delivered to people and their families in the community.
  • Assist in improved awareness to target community members (particularly students) who may wish to train in rehabilitation areas, enabling the sustainability of locally based human resources.

The Volunteer

Are you someone who wants to make a difference, have a sense of adventure and like the challenge of being outside your comfort zone?  VSA Volunteers are technical experts who impart their skills and knowledge to the local community. You will need to be flexible, adaptable, resourceful, resilient with a passion for Aotearoa and the wider Pacific community.

We're looking for a volunteer with the following:


  • Qualified rehabilitation physiotherapist
  • Proven experience providing leadership to rehabilitation teams
  • Proven experience delivering training and education to staff and community members
  • Proven experience working with people who have experienced a stroke, Parkinson's Disease, and other neurological disorders
  • Experience working across a broad range of rehabilitation practices
The Country

The Cook Islands has 240 square kilometres of land, comprising 15 islands spread across 2.1 million square kilometres of ocean. The islands are self-governing in "free association" with New Zealand. This means Cook Islands nationals are citizens of New Zealand, and New Zealand (in consultation with the Cook Islands government) has responsibility for external affairs such as defence.

The economy is mainly based on tourism and marine resources. Agricultural products include copra, fruit and vegetables, coffee, pigs and poultry. Economic development is vulnerable to environmental factors and global economic trends, with economic growth limited by environment, infrastructure constraints and a labour shortage. The Islands have a trade deficit (importing, mainly from New Zealand, far more than they export).
  

Apply Now!

Apply for this amazing opportunity through our website. For more information on this assignment, email volunteer@vsa.org.nz.



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We are looking for a volunteer with:

  • Full time 4-month Volunteering opportunity in Rarotonga.
  • Flights, accommodation and other expenses covered by VSA.
  • Make a lasting difference across the Pacific.

VSA covers flights, accommodation, insurance and some expenses. A living allowance is also provided.