Leading a STM Medical Team
Early Pre-Trip Tasks
Team Selection
Before you begin interviewing prospective candidates you need to know the dates of the trip, the ministry location, the trip objectives,
and the approximate cost.
An initial interview of approximately 30 minutes
is the first step. You should ascertain if the applicant has a heart to serve the poor; what level of
spiritual maturity is present; and whether the applicant is a team player. This
interview questionnaire may help keep a record of different applicants.
Following the interview the interested applicant should complete an application. This application gives the trip leader additional information
about each applicant and brings data together (address, phone, email, passport numbers, etc.) in an easily accessible place. You might consider
a non-refundable deposit as part of the application. This application and deposit process requires thoughtful answers to questions about their
spiritual life and their interest in the trip, and the deposit indicates a greater level of commitment and seriousness.
Examples of the forms used by Menlo Park are available here: STM Application for first time
applicants and STM Application for returning
applicants.
The leader should keep in mind that one bad apple can be very destructive to the team in the field, especially for
longer trips. As applicants are reviewed, the
skill set to complete the trip objective must be weighed against the spiritual maturity of each applicant and how well each person might
function with the team. Generally speaking, we need an applicant pool of two times the number of spots on the team.
The goal is to form a team that will accomplish the medical goal, work well together, support one another, and
function as a community. Some people
will not be appropriate for the trip due to health or strength issues, a skill set that has already been met, or personality issues, and the
trip leader must be willing to say "no" when necessary.
You should be mindful of the "key" positions that will allow the trip objectives to be met. These might include a medical director (MD), a nursing
director (RN), or a pharmacist. The two director positions will generally be filled by a person with the correct training and also with prior
short term mission experience. Occasionally a national host will request a specific sub-specialty physician to be on the team. This can present
quite a challenge which becomes a matter of prayer for the trip leader.
Downloads available:
- Interview questionnaire
- STM Application for first time applicants
- STM Application for returning applicants
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