.

[nuggetsovertenders]

---

Members don't see this ad.

.

 

[BoneBroCO]

PCT, EMT, Phlebotomist, Medical assistant, etc.? What should I get certified in to gain clinical experience because I have applied to so many jobs and have no luck. What's something relatively quick, cost efficient, and the most worth it?

EMT

 

[LunaOri]

EMT gives you the most exposure to varied conditions, but the training is longer. If you need a job right now, you can probably get a phlebotomy certification in about 6 weeks. Either of these jobs is especially good because you can pick up shifts for extra $ any time you need money (during med school). There are also some hospital jobs (like "sitter") that require no formal training, and give you clinical contact.

 

[Deltasidearm]

Many hospitals have PCA jobs (PCA/PCT/unit tech) that require nothing more than a HS diploma to get started. Pay will vary (depends on locations and any shift differential) and you do not do invasive procedures, but the actual patient care experience is hard to beat. You are strongly integrated in the actual healthcare team helping provide care to patients during their hospital stay. I did this throughout the hospital, but focused in the MICU and SICU, while I was an undergrad. I learned a lot about healthcare, got comfortable around patients, forged strong connections for MD and RN LOR, and experienced many patient interactions that made a strong enough impression on me to show up in different essays.

I felt I got a lot more out of it than my peers who scribed, which is the most common go-to. I can answer any questions you have, but that is my suggestion if this is intended to be short term and you want to minimize the time invested in uncompensated training.

 

[Deltasidearm]

Yeah i'm a sophomore and I really didn't want to take a gap year but I decided on med school just a few months ago and I don't have any clinical/volunteering/shadowing experience. I've applied to so many jobs but havent gotten one and i've tried to find volunteering locally but my local food pantry and hospital isn't accepting new volunteers rn. Idk what to do. I cant seem to gain experience and I feel like im just wasting my time doing nothing. The PCT positions at my local hospitals all require certification and minimum years of experience. I've volunteered as an EMT during highschool and hated it but ig i might have to go back to it for the hours.

There is nothing wrong if you do need to take a gap year. Yes, it delays your entry into medical school, but in the grand scheme of things you wont even notice/remember that. Instead, you'll remember the experiences and wisdom gained from the gap and be more prepared for the trials of medical school.

Did you obtain an EMT certification and upkept it from that volunteering? You may have been able to volunteer with EMT's then, but rules change when you become a legal adult and I do not know of a single EMT position which does not require a certification through a program.

Reach out to your advisors and student organizations on your campus. They should be able to help you and point you in the right direction for your particular community.