Looking for great clinical experience

llee8820 · Mar 30, 2008

As a finishing sophomore, I'm looking for some great clinical experience positions. I don't really know much about the many positions out there for pre-med students, and so far for "clinical/patient" experience I volunteered as a escort (pretty much a transporter) for a semester and shadowed an alternative medicine doctor for a summer.

So I'm looking for more experience in the clinical field, volunteer is fine but I'd prefer it to be a job as well since I need money. But both advice is welcome.

I was planning on being a EMT, but my local community college require classes from 8am to 5pm M-F and $1000. There's no way I have the time or money to complete that, so that plan was shot down. I'm currently trying to get a job as a transporter in my local hospital, which I guess to me is the next best thing that I know of. I've heard of Scribes, but don't know really much about it. If anyone is a scribe, could you help me on how you found or applied for that job?

It's been really hard for me to find a job in my local hospitals. They rarely have job opening for undergrads and most of them are taken by inside connections anyway. Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated.

T12 · Mar 30, 2008

I'm currently a transporter and although it may not be known as "clinical" work, it is definitely clinical experience. Some transporter positions aren't really that involved but the one I'm in is patient-interaction intensive. In my eyes, if you are in physical contact (and I mean VERY physical) with over 30 patients a day, you're getting very important experience. You have to communicate with them, let them know what's going on, determine if they need anything, and are solely responsible for their safety and well-being while being moved. Another plus in my view is that you get to see the entire hospital, rather than just the ER, like so many volunteer positions. In a given day, you observe CT, MRI, Radiology, several different specialized ICUs, Pedi, surgery patients of every sort, and of course, the ER. You meet new people everyday and stay on your feet the entire time.

On the other hand, I'm also trying to get a job as a scribe currently, its on one of these threads somewhere...See it for more detail about what they do and whether its in your area or not, a lot of people had really useful input about scribing and being an EMT.

Best of luck to you!

kedrin · Mar 30, 2008

im about to apply for several positions that give huge amounts of clinical experience. They are called multi skill techs, critical care techs, and a few other things with tech after them. They are a long shot as a certification is preferred but not required but i am still trying. Anyone else had any luck with getting these types of jobs without a certification?

T12 · Mar 30, 2008

kedrin said:
im about to apply for several positions that give huge amounts of clinical experience. They are called multi skill techs, critical care techs, and a few other things with tech after them. They are a long shot as a certification is preferred but not required but i am still trying. Anyone else had any luck with getting these types of jobs without a certification?

I know it's a lot harder than it used to be to get those jobs with no cert. My fiancees dad worked as an X-Ray tech, Lab tech, phlebotomist, and MA all by just asking people in the departments if they needed part-time help. It would take well over the four years usually spent in college just to get all the certifications these days. And this was just the 80's....things have really changed in 20 years.

decafplease · Mar 30, 2008

T12 said:
I know it's a lot harder than it used to be to get those jobs with no cert. My fiancees dad worked as an X-Ray tech, Lab tech, phlebotomist, and MA all by just asking people in the departments if they needed part-time help. It would take well over the four years usually spent in college just to get all the certifications these days. And this was just the 80's....things have really changed in 20 years.

Harder, but not impossible. I was offered a job as a MA with no certification and no clinical/medical experience. Look around, you might be surprised. They may not advertise "no experience required" but send your resume in anyway.

batch5000 · Apr 3, 2008

Free Clinic. Look into them. At mine, I draw blood, do lab work, triage patients - taking short histories, vitals, etc., as well as train other volunteers to do the same so I'm getting some leadership/teaching experience. Its great and highly suggested. Much better than the bedsheet folding that is standard at a hospital.

brianmartin · Apr 3, 2008

If you are in certain cities you can scribe. Check the wiki (I wrote!) for the expanding list of places that use them 🙂

Howzat · Apr 3, 2008

I currently volunteer in the ER and I get to do lots of stuff. Definitely alot of clinical exposure. It didn't start out that way. Get your foot in the door somewhere and go from there!

45408 · Apr 3, 2008

I'd say surgeons get some pretty good hands-on clinical experience, so if you find any openings for a general surgeon, take it!

Ictericia · Apr 3, 2008

Hi llee, if I were you, I would consider any unique skills that you have. Do you speak any languages other than English? -- volunteering as a medical interpreter is a phenomenal clinical experience. If you enjoy art or music, you could work with children in a children's hospital. If you like more technical responsibilities, you could volunteer as a lab tech or radiology tech, as others have mentioned.

Personally, I think interacting and talking with patients is the best type of clinical experience, but it has the downside of not giving you a great idea of how doctors spend their time. If you couple a clinical experience that complements your unique skills and interests with physician shadowing, I think that gives you a pretty broad and meaningful exposure to clinical medicine.

Don't underestimate the importance of enjoying whatever clinical position you decide on. Make sure it's something you want to do and this will help you discuss that experience passionately and thoughtfully when your interviewers ask you about it.

al112987 · Apr 3, 2008

GEt involved on a clinical research project.

fireflygirl · Apr 3, 2008

al112987 said:
GEt involved on a clinical research project.

I was about to suggest this as well since I have been doing it for the last two years. I think about 18 months is really all that anyone can take unless you are working on multiple studies. I am only working on one big one so that takes up most of my time. If you want some leadership skills then try and find a clinical coordinator position where you are not only scheduling patients but you are doing all the work that goes into running a study like data analysis and IRB regulatory work which is what I do. As a research assistant you get to schedule and see patients but don't have to deal with the politics behind the scenes which could be a good thing.

On the other hand, I have two friends that are working as ER techs and do just about anything and they really have some interesting solid experiences.

Looking for great clinical experience

llee8820

Full Member

T12

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kedrin

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T12

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decafplease

Medical Student

batch5000

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brianmartin

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Howzat

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45408

Ictericia

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al112987

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fireflygirl

The Ultimate Blindian

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