Physician Associate Internships in Arusha

Internship details

Build your practical medical knowledge on a Physician Associate internship in Tanzania, shadowing and assisting local doctors and nurses in clinics and hospitals around Arusha. This is a perfect internship for PA students who are more advanced in their studies, where you will learn from experienced professionals and help patients in a range of healthcare departments.

This is an in-country internship, with accommodation and meals provided.

In the context of an international internship, the Physician Associate experiences are designed to familiarize participants with the typical services and workplaces that a PA may be involved with, throughout the progression of their career. Additionally, the international placements are designed to help interns develop their intercultural competencies, while gaining an enhanced perspective of healthcare provision. Our Physician Associate internships provide real-world experience under the supervision and/or in collaboration of a fully trained medical doctor (or relevant medical team).

Interns shadow and assist to gain first-hand insight into medical techniques, assessments and treatments. Interns gain a highly realistic understanding of working in the health sector by observing your supervisor in all aspects of their daily work. Note that supervision on these internships is handled by a range of medical professionals. Interns must expect to work in a multidisciplinary team. Depending on your medical department and variations of your daily roster, this may include nursing teams, doctors, or other department heads. Such team members are in the best position to provide guidance, direction, and answer questions as it will pertain to current duties and responsibilities. Therefore, there is not one sole supervisor throughout, as interns interact with a range of local staff in various positions, deferring to their expertise and instruction. Outside of the placement supervision, interns additionally have access to support from the Program Director, who oversees placement allocation.

Physician Associate interns can gain specialist skills in a range of medical departments, with placements available in units such as:

• Surgery
• Outpatient clinics
• General wards
• Children’s wards
• Medical community outreach
• HIV outpatients
• Mental health services
• Administrative departments

Bear in mind that the Physician Associate profession and education model has its origin in North America. The occupational title of “Physician Assistant” and “Physician Associate” originated in the United States. Although the role has been adopted in some other countries, each has their own nomenclature. Therefore, occupation titles and certifying authorities vary. If you are seeking a Physician Associate internship for academic purposes, which must be supervised by someone carrying the specific occupational title of “Physician Assistant” or “Physician Associate”, please ensure that you notify Intern Abroad HQ when applying.

It’s important for medical interns to be prepared for a very different healthcare system than what you may be used to at home. Healthcare in Tanzania can be under-resourced and under-funded, and patients may endure conditions that would be considered rare or unacceptable in your own home country. While you may encounter culture shock , it is important to remain professional and compassionate at all times. You’ll be encouraged to consider the local staff as valuable and knowledgeable resources and mentors. They’re in the best position to provide guidance and local context into the needs and challenges of the local community. This internship is conducted in English. Some patient interactions may be carried out in local languages, but local staff can debrief these sessions in English with you afterwards - just be sure to ask them if you wish to have a follow-up discussion.

Due to the unpredictable nature of patient flow in clinics and hospitals, interns should note that the timing of treatments can be irregular. This means that there will be days which are very busy, as well as slower days if patient workload is lighter. Interns should be adaptable, proactive and willing to help where it’s needed. Interns are able to discuss your schedule while in Tanzania, and can pick up extra work where it’s available.

It is important to note that the internship placements grouped as “Medical” require interns to make a Ministry of Health contribution. This supports the operation of placements and covers supervision for interns on medical-related placements. This contribution is not included in the internship program fee; it must be made directly, in-country, under the direction and guidance of the Program Coordinator in Arusha. Interns will not be permitted to commence their placement until this has been covered. The amount of the Ministry of Health contribution varies, as it is not the same for every clinic/hospital. However, to cover the contribution sufficiently, we ask interns to budget up to US$75 per week.

In all cases, interns should expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in and gaining some introductory knowledge, as you will not “hit the ground running”. Rather, you should start with learning about the placement to gain an understanding of what you can build upon, develop, learn, and contribute. Ensure that you ask questions and provide feedback during the introductory period, so that your supervisor understands how you’re progressing. This will help them to better understand important details, such as how quickly you learn, what you find challenging, what you find interesting, etc.

Understand and expect that individual internship experiences vary, as the specific placement that you’re assigned will depend on review of your resume and your current level of studies and experience. Therefore, if you’re at a more introductory level, you should reasonably expect a more introductory internship. Likewise, if you’re interning for a shorter duration, you will have a different experience from someone who is interning for a longer duration. Placement preferences are considered but always subject to availability.

Typical Schedule

• Approximately Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. It is important to understand that flexibility is a key requirement for this internship placement, as the unpredictable nature of patient flows in clinics and hospitals can lead to irregularities in the timing of treatments/procedures. This means that there may be days which are very busy, as well as slower days if patient workload is lighter. Interns should be adaptable, proactive and willing to help where it’s needed. You will be welcome to adapt your schedule or contribute extra hours, provided that discussion and agreement to do so takes place between you and your coordinator/supervisor. Some weekend and night shift work may be required.

Career Benefits