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The Quartermaster coordinates the moving of equipment and boxes from the United States to the host country and back again. S/he deals with customs agents, counting boxes and unpacking equipment on arrival and re-packing upon departure. The Quartermaster should be in excellent physical health, able to lift boxes that weigh 50lbs and have the stamina to handle the transport of boxes and medical cargo.

The Medical Record Keeper must be a detail-oriented person, be computer literate and be able to work with Microsoft Excel. The responsibility for keeping track of all the records, including names of all children seen, procedures performed and final medical values, is handled by this individual. S/he must also make sure that all medical record forms are appropriately filled out by the medical team and complete the medical summaries after the mission is over. Approximately 2 hours of training in advance of the Mission is provided and required.

The Sterilizer makes sure that the instruments are cleaned and sterilized as the surgeries progress during the day. The Sterilizer also ensures that the instruments are counted and accounted for throughout the day so that no important medical equipment is left behind.

The Interpreter acts as a liaison between the medical staff and the patients and between families and local hosts whenever necessary. The role of the Interpreter is to interpret exactly what is being asked and not to comment unless so requested. An Interpreter must be flexible and be able to work under intense, emotional and often times confusing conditions.

Photojournalist

It is the responsibility of the Photographer/Journalist to record the trip in daily updates, to take photographs and to communicate back to the office a record of what is occurring on site. The Photographer/Journalist job does not end upon return. The volunteer provides Rotaplast International with a PowerPoint presentation, digital photos and personal stories of patients and team members in a 1,500-word document we use to create a Mission Newsletter. Knowledge of the language is helpful. The Photojournalist also assists the Medical Records Keeper during the Opening Day Clinic.

The Ward Coordinator is in charge of preparing patients to be moved from the ward to the surgical area when requested by the Head Nurse. S/he checks that patients arrive at the hospital when scheduled. S/he arranges for patients to replace those who do not arrive or are disqualified for surgery. This volunteer works with the Pediatricians and brings any problems to their attention.

Helpers in the Recovery Room area help the Recovery Room Nurses. They may comfort a child or a parent, run errands for the Recovery Room Nurses or serve in any way they can to allow the medical personnel to function effectively. They should be comfortable with exposure to body fluids and have the stamina for long hours in this environment.

This volunteer may or may not be needed depending on the proximity of the ward to the operating room. If needed, the Patient Transport volunteer wheels patients to the pre-surgery area and, if possible, remains with the patient until s/he is taken to the Operating Room. The Patient Transport volunteer may also function as the Recreation Therapist.

The Recreation Therapist works either in the ward or in the pre-surgery area entertaining and occupying the time of our patients before surgery. S/he may read to the patients, help them with puzzles or art, engage them with magic or create other activities with the purpose of easing their anxiety.