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VOSH-Connecticut

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

VOSH MISSION PROTOCOL

2008-2009

 

  1. All VOSH-Connecticut mission members must be permanent residents or citizens of the United States of America, Canada or Netherlands unless granted prior authorization and consent of both Clinic Directors.  Non-U.S. Citizens may be allowed to participate in VOSH-Connecticut missions at their own risk of entry/re-entry to the United States.
  2. VOSH-Connecticut missions are limited to Optometrists, fully accredited optometry/medical school students, licensed and accredited opticians and optometric assistants, and helpers and translators.  No other individuals shall be allowed to participate in any VOSH-Connecticut missions without the express prior authorization and consent of the Clinic Directors.
  3. All VOSH-Connecticut mission members must be a minimum of age 18, unless accompanied by a mission member parent or family member and the child is at least age 14 and with prior approval of both Clinic Directors.  No mission members under age 18 shall be allowed unless a parent or family member has participated in a prior VOSH-Connecticut mission. Limited exceptions for 16 and 17 year old children of new OD mission members may be made on a case by case basis and with the prior authorization and consent of both Clinic Directors. Any mission member under age 18 must be able to participate fully in all aspects of the mission without parental/adult supervision.
  4. All VOSH-Connecticut mission members must sign a Legal Release and Mission Member Statement prior to participate in a mission.  Fax or e-mail signatures shall constitute a valid signature for legal purposes.  Documents for a mission member who is a minor may be signed by their parent only.
  5. First preference for future missions and clinic assignments shall be given to previous returning VOSH-Connecticut mission members.  Thereafter, mission vacancies shall be filled on a first come basis until mission capacity is reached, after which a waiting list shall be established for current and future missions.
  6. All mission members and volunteers shall be assigned a duty station.
  7. General Clinic Assignments shall include:

5-7 O.D.’s

10-15 Optometry students, with preference given to 2nd and 3rd year students and Spanish speaking students.  No more than 3 students shall be 1st year Optometry students.

3 Pre-Testing Assistants

8 Translators

2-5 Opticians

3-6 Dispensary Assistants

  1. VOSH-Connecticut members shall be courteous and respectful to other mission members and the host community at all times. All mission members shall respect the cultural differences and at all times avoid public/personal criticism of the mission leaders, other mission members and host community leaders, doctors and volunteers.
  2. No mission member shall leave his or her duty station for any extended period of time without the consent of the Clinic Directors.
  3. Clinic Hours are 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. All mission members are expected to be at the clinic by 7:45 a.m. for the morning greeting and stay until all patients are seen each day.  No mission member may leave the clinic site at any time between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. without the prior authorization and consent of the Clinic Directors.
  4. Clinic will close promptly each day from 1:00-2:00 p.m.  Lunch will be served from 1:00-1:30 p.m., and mission members will meet daily as a group from 1:30-2:00 p.m.  All mission members shall be present daily for both the lunch and the meeting, and shall close up the clinic as soon as instructed to do so.
  5. No alcohol shall be consumed on the clinic premises.
  6. Non-mission members may participate in the clinic breakfast and lunch for $10.00 per day per person, and the closing banquet for $25.00 per person, payable in advance at the start of clinic week.
  7. All mission members shall be required to wear their VOSH badges at all times during clinic hours and mission activities. Solid, sturdy shoes shall be worn for all mission activities. No sandals or flip-flops shall be worn at the clinic site. Appropriate dress for the clinic shall consist of shorts & t-shirts, no skimpy or inappropriate clothing allowed.
  8. All mission members shall be responsible for their own security, safety, and personal items, instruments, tools, and materials.  Each mission member should bring a large, dark sheet for room darkness and each student mission member should contact their supervising doctor prior to the commencement of the mission to discuss needed examination items and/or supplies.
  9. No smoking shall be allowed on the clinic premises.
  10. No knives, weapons, drugs or illegal substances shall be allowed on the clinic premises.
  11. All mission members shall follow the instructions of the Clinic Directors at all times.
  12. No candy, food, toys, or personal items shall be given out at the clinic except by individual mission members at their personal individual stations, under the direction of the Clinic Directors.
  13. No patients or other individuals are allowed in any clinic or examination room except those authorized to be specifically seen by the doctors.
  14. NO ONE is allowed in the dispensary except the doctors, opticians and dispensary personnel.
  15. No crowding, pushing or shoving is allowed in any clinic areas.  Mission members shall assist as needed in crowd organization and control, and shall also assist as requested in maintaining order and organized lines.  All patient areas are limited to patients and immediate family members only.
  16. All sunglasses shall be dispensed by the doctors ONLY. No sunglasses shall be dispensed by any one at any time without a written examination slip. Only 1 pair of sunglasses shall be dispensed per patient.  NO EXCEPTIONS.
  17. All patients MUST have an examination slip before being seen by the doctors.  All patients MUST have an examination slip before receiving a pair of sunglasses.
  18. Doctors must complete sign and date an examination slip for each patient. 
  19. There will be a $110.00 fee per person-US cash or check made out to VOSH-CT for all participating mission members, payable at the start of the mission.  Failure to pay this fee in full prior to the start of the mission will result in non-participation of the mission.  Included in this fee will be breakfast and lunch during clinic days and the closing banquet and a VOSH-CT t-shirt and transportation to and from the mission site. This $110 fee is payable in full by all mission members including children & assistants, and is due in full whether or not the bus transportation is used. There will be only 1 bus down and 1 bus back.  Alternative transportation arrangements are the responsibility of individual mission members at their own cost and arrangements and at no obligation or cost to VOSH-Connecticut. NO ALTERNATIVE AND/OR ADDITIONAL BUS ARRANGEMENTS shall be made at any time without the express authorization and approval of the Clinic Directors.
  20. All mission members shall attend the closing banquet.  Gifts for the host community leaders are fine.
  21. Mission members are invited to participate in a monetary collection to be presented to our host community leaders at the conclusion of the mission.
  22. All mission members are required to arrange for accommodations in SJDS within a short walking distance(no more than 5 minutes) of the clinic. No mission members shall stay outside of the immediate clinic vicinity. All mission members shall be limited to a maximum of 2 suitcases each per airline rules. Any additional baggage is the sole responsibility and financial responsibility of the mission member and VOSH-CT will assume no liability nor be held responsible in any way for any baggage of any mission member.
  23. VOSH-Connecticut appreciates and welcomes donations at any time.

 

 

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