Health Sector

Health Volunteers work within their communities to promote important topics such as nutrition, maternal and child health, basic hygiene, and water sanitation. Volunteers also work in HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs to train youth as peer educators, develop appropriate education strategies, provide support to children orphaned by the pandemic, and create programs that provide emotional and financial support to families and communities affected by the disease.

An infant in his mother's arms getting a physical from a Peace Corps volunteer

Serve on the front lines of global health.

 

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Training and Experience for the Health Sector

Leveraging concrete knowledge and skills is central to on-the-ground international development work. Through this PC Prep program, you will begin to build a professional specialty, which should serve your career well whether or not you become a Peace Corps Volunteer.

For PC Prep, you need to complete at least 3 courses that align with a specific work sector (they can but do not need to come from your academic major or minor). You also must accumulate a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer or work experience in that same sector, preferably in a teaching or outreach capacity.
If you select the Health sector, you will participate in the following training experiences:

3 Courses From One of the Following Areas:

  • Nursing
  • Nutrition of Dietetics
  • Health Education
  • Pre-Med
  • Biology
  • Technical Education
  • Environmental or Sanitary Engineering

50 Hours of Relevant Field Experience Through Activities Such As:

  • Volunteer or work experience in such areas as HIV/AIDS outreach, hospice, family planning counseling, emergency medical technician (EMT) or CPR teaching/certification, maternal health, and hands-on care giving in a hospital, clinic, or lab technician setting.
  • Counseling or teaching in health subjects.
  • Working as a resident advisor in a dormitory, as a peer nutritionist, or as a sexually transmitted infections counselor.
  • Significant experience in mechanical repairs, construction, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, hydrology, or set design.
  • Have an AmeriCorps assignment in a related setting.
  • Volunteer at the Laramie Downtown Clinic.
  • Complete your social work/nursing practicum.

Recommended Courses:

  • FCSC 1141: Principles of Nutrition
  • HLED 1006: Personal Health
  • FCSC 3147: Community Nutrition
  • HLED 3020: Community and Public Health
  • NURS 2240: Medical Terminology

*If there is another course in the catalog you feel meets this requirement, please discuss it with your PC Prep Coordinator.

Need More Information?

Read the Peace Corps Prep Student Guide for more information or to answer any questions.

PeaceCorps Prep Student Guide

Botswana

Cameroon

Central America

Madagascar

A health worker sorting supplies in a pharmacy in Rwanda

*Photos courtesy of the Peace Corps