Policy Guidelines For Short-Term Volunteers

1

Letter of application explaining your Mission, giving proposed dates, services to be delivered in as much detail as possible must be sent at least six (6) to eight (8) weeks before the planned date of arrival.

2

The volunteer group or individual should have a local contact, the name and address of whom should be submitted to the Ministry.

3

The local health authorities at parish and regional levels must be involved and must endorse the activities you plan to carry out, including the venue and personnel involved. You should therefore contact one or more of the following persons at the local or regional levels.

  • The Regional Director
  • The Regional Technical Director
  • The Medical Officer (Health)
  • The Parish Manager

The address and contact numbers for these officials are given in the attached.

4

Once the local health authorities approve of the activities, you will need to apply for special registration of the various professionals who will be members of your team (see forms enclosed, which can be copied). Along with the completion of these forms, for each professional you need to send:

  • Two (2) passport size photographs.
  • Certified copy of each professional certificate, for basic and post-basic (or post-graduate) courses.
  • Certified copy of current license or practising certificates.
  • Two (2) recent references (written within six (6) months) of application.
  • Certified copy of front page of passport.

The approved documents are then forwarded to headquarters for endorsement then submitted to the relevant Councils for registration. Each Council has its own fees for the registration of the particular professionals.

On receipt of registration from the relevant councils application is then made to the Ministry of Labour for Work Permit Exemption.

  • A list of any pharmaceutical, equipment and/or supplies you plan to take with you on the trip, indicating the ones you plan to donate to Jamaica and which ones will be returned to the USA. Generic names, strength, quantity and expiry date of each preparation must be given. Expiry dates for pharmaceuticals coming into the country should be longer than one (1) year from date of arrival. The estimated value of each item should also be given. After approval of the list, the Ministry will apply for a waiver of duties and charges from other relevant government authorities for the items you wish to donate to the Ministry.
  • For equipment ands motor vehicle, the age, specification, electrical requirements, availability of operator’s and service manuals and spare parts and the estimated value should also be given.

5

A report on the activities carried out during the Mission is also required at the end of the visit. This report should include:

  • Number of clients seen
  • Type of services delivered
  • Diagnoses made
  • Treatment given
  • Disposal/referral of clients for follow-up. (Specific names of practitioners and institutions required).

6

The Ministry of Health will not be responsible for any debt incurred by the volunteer group or individual. The group/individual must stand the full cost of all activities, including airfares, accommodation, meals, transportation and any other materials and supplies to be used while on the Mission.



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Short Term Volunteer Requirements

Doctors

First Time

  • Short-Term Volunteer Forms
  • Form A – The Medical Act
  • Certified copy of Basic Degree Certificate – the one that says “Doctor of Medicine”
  • Certified copy of Current Licence
  • Names and Addresses of 2 Medical References
  • Work Permit Exemption Application Form
  • 2 photographs

If doctor was trained at an Offshore Medical School and has a Board Certificate he/she needs to submit this.


Returning

  • Short-Term Volunteer Form
  • Form A
  • Certified copy of Current Licence
  • Work Permit Exemption Application Form
  • 1 photograph

Fees

  • Doctors – $1,000.00 each
  • Full Registration – $2,000.00

Contact

Name Address Website
Medical Council of Jamaica 18 West Road
UWI, Mona
Kingston 7		 Website

Nurses

First Time

  • Short-Term Volunteer Form
  • Blue Form
  • Curriculum Vitae (Resume)
  • Certified copy of Birth Certificate
  • Certified copy Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
  • Certified copy of Certificate/Diploma from School of Nursing
  • Certified Copy of Current Licence
  • Two written references from Nursing Supervisors
  • Work Permit Exemption Application Form
  • 2 photographs

Returning Nurses and Jamaican Trained Nurses

  • Short-Term Volunteer Form
  • Updated Curriculum Vitae (Resume)
  • Certified Copy of Current Licence
  • Two written references from Nursing Supervisors
  • Work Permit Exemption Application Form
  • 1 photograph

Fees

  • First Time – $ US 50.00
  • Returning – $ US 30.00
  • Jamaican Trained – $ J 2000.00

Contact

Name Address Website
Nursing Council 50 Half Way Tree Road
Kingston 5		 Website

Dentists/Dental Hygienists

First Time

  • Short Term Volunteer Form
  • Form A – Dental Act
  • Work Permit Exemption Application Form
  • Degree Certificate (Doctor of Dental Surgery)
  • Current License
  • 3 professional references
  • 2 photographs

Returning

  • Short Term Volunteer Form
  • Current License
  • Work Permit Exemption Application Form
  • 1 photograph

Fees

  • Dentists – $5000.00 each
  • Dental Hygienists – $5000.00 each

Contact

Name Address Website
Dental Council 50 Half-Way-Tree Road
Kingston 5		 Website

Optometrists

First Time

  • Short Term Volunteer Form
  • Degree Certificate (Doctor of Optometry)
  • Current License
  • 2 professional references
  • Work Permit Exemption Application Form
  • 2 photographs

Returning

  • Short Term Volunteer Form
  • Current License
  • Work Permit Exemption Application Form
  • 1 photograph

Fees

  • Optometrists – US$25.00 or the Jamaican Equivalent

Contact

Name Address Website
Optometric Council

Pharmacists

First Time

  • Short Term Volunteer Form
  • Degree Certificate
  • Current License
  • 3 professional references
  • Work Permit Exemption Application Form
  • 2 photographs

Returning

  • Short Term Volunteer Form
  • Current License
  • Work Permit Exemption Application Form
  • 1 photograph

Fees

  • Pharmacists – US$50.00 or the Jamaican Equivalent

Contact

Name Address Website
Council of Professionals 1st Floor, Rooms 1-3
50 Half Way Tree Road
Kingston 5		 Website

Students

  • Short Term Volunteer Form
  • Work Permit Exemption Application Form
  • 2 passport sized photographs
  • A letter from the University verifying status of student(s)

Support Staff

  • Short Term Volunteer Form
  • Work Permit Exemption Application Form
  • 1 passport sized photograph

Other

Audiologists, Dietitian, Radiographer, Medical Technologists, Therapists Physiotherapist (Speech, Occupational & Physical)

  • Short Term Volunteer Form
  • Completed Form A – The Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act, 1965
  • Certified Copy of Diploma/Degree
  • Transcript
  • Certified Copy of current license
  • Two letters of reference – one from a member of your profession and one character reference
  • Work Permit Exemption Application Form
  • 2 photographs

Returning

  • Short-Term Volunteer Form
  • Form A
  • Certified copy of Current License
  • Work Permit Exemption Application Form
  • 1 photograph

Fees

  • Dieticians Audiologists, etc. – $4,000.00 each
  • Work Permit Exemption – All persons

Contact

Name Address Website
Council of Professionals 1st Floor, Rooms 1-3
50 Half Way Tree Road
Kingston 5		 Website
Download Short Term Volunteer Form

Ministry of Health Policy and Procedure Guidelines Volunteering