Answered

[toastedbutter]

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[GoSpursGo]

This seems like a crazy distinction to me. I would absolutely count this as clinical. Even if there is one adcom out there who makes such a picky distinction, I think the vast majority will count it.

 

[Catalystik]

I worked as a psychiatric technician in an ECT and mood disorders clinic for 14 months. 4am shifts, tons of direct patient exposure in both a medical (actually circulating the ECT procedures with the psychiatrist and anesthesiologist) and support (being with patients prior to their turn in the treatment room, patient transport back to inpatient floors, checking in and discharging, cleaning beds, helping nursing staff, helping patients families while they wait) capacity.

Today, my father tells me that a friend of his, whose wife is on the admissions committee of a school, explained that my clinical experience doesn't count as such because I was a "technician" rather than an MA/CNA or something else. I have never heard of this distinction. I thought I was fine because, while I don't have an MA or EMT certification and was indeed a technician, I had tons of direct patient exposure in both a medical and supportive manner and worked in an environment where physicians were providing patient care and I was a part of that beyond just shadowing.

Now I am super confused and worried. I spent 14 months and over 700 hours at that job, and left it so I could graduate on time this semester and finish up my thesis. My plans for my gap year were to volunteer in a free clinic, finish up my shadowing, and do some more research. What should I do? If all of this experience will indeed not be counted, should I try to pursue some kind of certification and get a new job during my gap year? Has anyone heard of this distinction before, where being a technician negates any potential clinical exposure? Was I mistaken from the beginning in thinking what I was doing was good clinical experience? Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

I think the vast majority will count it.

I agree with GoSpursGo.

 

[LizzyM]

I'm also on an adcom and I say that the opinion of your father's friend's wife is full of ****. You were face-to-face with patients. That's all we ask. You aren't expected to be working in a professional capacity as a licensed provider to get clinical experience.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

There's always a couple of faculty that judge the activity by the title instead of reading the description of work. Let's hope there are enough sensible voices that agree this is clinical on that committee.

 

[LunaOri]

You helped patients and supported patient care. It’s clinical.

 

[Goro]

I worked as a psychiatric technician in an ECT and mood disorders clinic for 14 months. 4am shifts, tons of direct patient exposure in both a medical (actually circulating the ECT procedures with the psychiatrist and anesthesiologist) and support (being with patients prior to their turn in the treatment room, patient transport back to inpatient floors, checking in and discharging, cleaning beds, helping nursing staff, helping patients families while they wait) capacity.

Today, my father tells me that a friend of his, whose wife is on the admissions committee of a school, explained that my clinical experience doesn't count as such because I was a "technician" rather than an MA/CNA or something else. I have never heard of this distinction. I thought I was fine because, while I don't have an MA or EMT certification and was indeed a technician, I had tons of direct patient exposure in both a medical and supportive manner and worked in an environment where physicians were providing patient care and I was a part of that beyond just shadowing.

Now I am super confused and worried. I spent 14 months and over 700 hours at that job, and left it so I could graduate on time this semester and finish up my thesis. My plans for my gap year were to volunteer in a free clinic, finish up my shadowing, and do some more research. What should I do? If all of this experience will indeed not be counted, should I try to pursue some kind of certification and get a new job during my gap year? Has anyone heard of this distinction before, where being a technician negates any potential clinical exposure? Was I mistaken from the beginning in thinking what I was doing was good clinical experience? Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

Whoever that person was who that you activity wasn't clinical is an absolute moro-n.

Your clinical experience is very admirable in my book. Not many people are willing to get up close and personal with persons with severe mental illness.

 

[toastedbutter]

Thank you all for your comments, they were all very helpful. I will stick to my plan.