Volunteers needed for Pacific Partnership 2012

For the past three years the Church has worked with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Partnership, a program designed to help strengthen relationships with other regions and to offer humanitarian services. Specific healthcare volunteers are being recruited for the Pacific Partnership 2012, which will serve Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia.

The Pacific Partnership will be based from the USNS Mercy Hospital Ship during the 2012 project. The ship will depart from San Diego, Calif., and will sail throughout Southeast Asia beginning May 1, 2012, and return at the end of August 2012. The terms of service begin May 25, 2012, and end Aug. 12, 2012. Rotations are set up for all participants and may vary depending on need. Applicants are encouraged to participate in both rotations. The entire project lasts 79 days and includes all rotations.

The first regular rotation is from May 25 to July 4, 40 days, and serves Indonesia and the Philippines. The second regular rotation is scheduled from May 25 to July 28, 64 days, and serves Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. The third rotation begins July 5 and ends August 12, serving Vietnam and Cambodia. Shorter rotations are available for high need personnel.

Some work is conducted off of the ship in clinics when ported in different cities and countries, while other responsibilities are completed on board. Those applying must be in good physical condition.

Those participating in the partnership will need to submit copies of diplomas, current state licenses, have a passport current through Oct. 2013, up-to-date immunizations and malaria prophylaxis, and be interviewed prior to being accepted to the program.

Volunteers in only the following fields are needed: biomedical technicians, X-ray technologists, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, optometrists, optometry technicians, certified OR technicians, OR scrub nurses, midwives, dermatologists, infectious disease specialists and translators.

All applicants must be a temple worthy member of the Church and will be set apart as a humanitarian service volunteer by their current bishop. The Church pays for travel expenses and the Navy provides housing and food on board of the USNS Mercy Hospital Ship. Any personal travel is not covered. Applicants in the areas listed should apply to Dr. Susan Puls at pulssu@ldschurch.org. Each applicant entry is to be completed, filed and credentialed before the end of the year.

sdelacerda@desnews.com