Advice for hospital volunteering position

[Rob Biomed]

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Hi,

I'm currently a senior undergraduate student pursuing a Biomedical science degree. I have a 4.0C GPA and will hopefully be doing well on my MCAT that I am taking this coming January.

I am, however, slightly behind on my ECs as of now. I am looking to volunteer at a local hospital next semester and would like your input on what sort of volunteer position I should take up. Here are my options:

Assignment Preference:
Audiology
Bariatric Clinic
Bedside Music
Behavioral Health Out-Patient Clinic
Cancer Center
Caring Canines
Caring Clowns
Children's Rehabilitative Services
Education
Fit Kids Clinic
Foundation
Front Desk
Gift Shop
Greeter/Escort.
Infection Control
Laboratory
Lobby Music
Magazine Cart
Material Management-Stores
Medical Library
Medical Staff Services
Nutrition Services
OB greeter
Out-Patient Pharmacy
Physical Therapy - CLERICAL
Pre-Admissions
Recovery
Spiritual Care
Surgery Waiting Room
Taylor House
Therapy Services
West Campus Reception Area

I am supposed to choose my top 3 preferences. What do you think will look the best when it comes time to put it on my med school application? I'm thinking Medical Staff services, recovery, and maybe something like greeter/escort?

Thanks for the help!

 

[stscrivener]

I would call and ask what your options are as a premedical student. I did this at my local hospital, because the only options listed on the website were things like receptionist, patient transport, etc.

I was able to get a position as an ER assistant, pretty similar to a scribe. Make some phone calls and be persistent.

 

[dsoz]

How can we help you? You need to pick what sounds interesting to YOU! If I say that lobby music is the best volunteer position around, you may hate it and not continue. You may be well suited to play lobby music (piano or guitar or whatever it is that they have), but unless you like doing it, it is worthless.

That being said, anything where you interact with people would be better. The more you interact with the unwashed masses, the better. Get to know what humanity is like. The good and the bad. You will meet some of the best people, and you will meet some of the worst people while in this profession. That is what makes it so fun.

dsoz

 

[Irish Football]

I think you have to find out more about the specifics of each job. Maybe have a meeting with or call somebody in the volunteering department and try to get a better feel for what these various positions will entail. Then, like dsoz said, it's really up to you. If you are worried which positions med schools will like to see, the answer is that it won't matter (as long as "you can smell patients," as LizzM famously put it.

 

[NYPreMed88]

Caring Clowns

 

[Served]

Do what you feel passionate about. Don't try in vain to catch medical school's attention by considering what will "look the best."

 

[adalinaabella]

I think you should choose the one in which you have the most interest, because some times it's being tough to continue with the branch which has been choosen by other's choices.