Another volunteering question

[mommdtobe]

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I am interested in volunteering in a hospital near my home and had a few questions.

1. The hospital needs help with front desk work. I am excited to help but wanted to know if anyone began volunteering this way?

I also am checking into shadowing, and wondered if anyone has advice?



Thanks so much 🙂

Michelle

 

[mommdtobe]

Bump

 

[Howard Roark]

shadow well known physicians
check them out on medline, pubmed, ovid, etc
see where they went to school, residency, fellowship, etc
and when you ask for a LOR dont be afraid to say "would you feel comfortable writing a STRONG POSITIVE LOR for me?"
that way you know it willl be good, if they say no - then move on (better to know though so you dont waste your time)

 

[vtucci]

I am not a big fan of desk work unless you are going to learn the routing of tests/labs as a starting point.

Even then.... find a department that interests you and see if they need help with research. I volunteer doing clinical research in an ED. Even if they don't have a formal program, you may be able to find a mentor (or just a really overwhelmed doc who needs the help).

Shadowing is a great idea

 

[efex101]

Volunteering in a clinical setting is so you get to see what being a physician entails. I think that volunteering at the front desk will not offer this opportunity.

 

[Fermata]

Volunteering in a clinical setting is so you get to see what being a physician entails. I think that volunteering at the front desk will not offer this opportunity.

Yep. This is why I think adcoms also like to see that you've shadowed in a private practice setting. This allows you to see what a doc actually does on a day-to-day basis.

 

[joy77]

Good advice from vtucci. Contact a doctor or department directly and offer to help with research. If you don't know any doctors, look on the website of the hospitals in your city to learn about their research interests before calling. Express your interest in seeing the clinical side of things, too, and they will most likely allow you to shadow. It worked for me, and it turned into a paid part-time CRA position. Good luck!

 

[mommdtobe]

Thank you so much for all the great advice. I actually asked for the ER and they agreed.

I also am looking into shadowing! I worked in a Family Practice way back in the late 80's. I loved it and the MD I worked for is very supportive. He is willing to help in any way.

Again thanks so much for the fast replies.