Clinical and non-clinical volunteering with the same organization

[Mopsd]

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Due to limited transportation I am looking to combine all my volunteering hours to one day per week. I am wondering if it's okay to get both clinical and non-clinical volunteering with the same organization. Say I volunteer in a clinical position for a few hours then move on to do my non-clinical volunteering on another floor of a hospital. Would this look weird or be questioned? EDIT: These would be my only volunteering experiences on my app (i.e. no other organization listed).

Also, which duties would give me the best experience? I have the option to choose from five aide positions including Physical Therapy (help therapists with patients), Dietician (assist with kitchen duties), Nurse/ Ward Clerk (delivering food/water, assisting with discharges), Recreation (socializing w/ patients) and Pharmacy (assist w/ basic pharmacy duties in hospital pharmacy). They also have a transporter position where my duties would be limited to assisting with discharges. Would any combination of two of these positions be considered as satisfying clinical and non-clinical volunteer duties?

 

[LizzyM]

None of those will satisfy the non-clinical volunteering that med schools are looking for. Are there any food pantries, soup kitchens, tutoring programs for poor kids, or other services to the needy in the vicinity of the hospital?

How far along are you in your college education? Are you certain your travel will be limited through your last year before application? Does your school offer an alternate spring break in the US where students go as a group to help out in a depressed area (can be urban or rural)?

 

[Catalystik]

Due to limited transportation I am looking to combine all my volunteering hours to one day per week. I am wondering if it's okay to get both clinical and non-clinical volunteering with the same organization. Say I volunteer in a clinical position for a few hours then move on to do my non-clinical volunteering on another floor of a hospital. Would this look weird or be questioned? EDIT: These would be my only volunteering experiences on my app (i.e. no other organization listed).

Also, which duties would give me the best experience? I have the option to choose from five aide positions including Physical Therapy (help therapists with patients), Dietician (assist with kitchen duties), Nurse/ Ward Clerk (delivering food/water, assisting with discharges), Recreation (socializing w/ patients) and Pharmacy (assist w/ basic pharmacy duties in hospital pharmacy). They also have a transporter position where my duties would be limited to assisting with discharges. Would any combination of two of these positions be considered as satisfying clinical and non-clinical volunteer duties?

For clinical experience I'd suggest either patient transporter or Physical Therapy Asst.

 

[Mopsd]

None of those will satisfy the non-clinical volunteering that med schools are looking for. Are there any food pantries, soup kitchens, tutoring programs for poor kids, or other services to the needy in the vicinity of the hospital?

I'm still new to the area so I'm not quite sure. Will be looking and asking around for any opportunities similar to what you've mentioned. I do know there's a hospice facility and a VA center within walking distance. Would non-clinical opportunities be available with either of these organizations?

How far along are you in your college education? Are you certain your travel will be limited through your last year before application?

I am about to enter my junior year after a gap in my education. Hoping to apply the summer after I graduate (spring 2020). I could get a car for my senior year...but I'm trying to avoid that cost altogether. If I do get a car in my final year and hold off on non-clinical volunteering until then (~12 continuous months), would this aspect of my app be acceptable for the 2020 application cycle?

Does your school offer an alternate spring break in the US where students go as a group to help out in a depressed area (can be urban or rural)?

Not aware of such program at my school. There is a formal volunteer organization on campus that meets twice a month and can provide transportation to volunteer sites. However, their volunteering is focused on the environment (community clean-ups and invasive species removal, etc).

 

[LizzyM]

Ask yourself why you want to be a doctor. if it is to help people, don't wait until the year before you apply to find people in need of help and go about helping them. Find a need being filled by a local community group and join with them or, find an unmet need and work to fill it.

 

[candbgirl]

You mentioned a VA Center. There are probably several opportunities to help the unserved/underserved at the center. I have found that vets are really interesting people and have so much to share if someone would just listen. They are sometimes lonely too. If you volunteer with some of the activities at the center and visit and talk with the vets you might find it very rewarding.