Clinical experience without training?

[Neelesh]

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If you want to work in a clinic, I mean actually work and have some sort of purpose (not shadow), is it legally possible to do so without any certification?

And if you need certification, say as a Nurses assisstant or phlebotomist, how long did it take you?

Thanks

 

[alwaysaangel]

I've worked as a medical assistant for 3 years and the only training I got was on site while working.

I can do vitals, in-house labs (glucose checks, UTI checks, etc), and they were going to teach me to give shots but it turned out not being necessary.

So yes, you can find places and jobs that won't require certification - you just have to look for them.

 

[spicedmanna]

I can do vitals, in-house labs (glucose checks, UTI checks, etc), and they were going to teach me to give shots but it turned out not being necessary.

Ironically, even after obtaining EMT-B certification, I still can't use the glucometer in my jurisdiction. 🙄

If you want to work in a clinic, I mean actually work and have some sort of purpose (not shadow), is it legally possible to do so without any certification?

And if you need certification, say as a Nurses assisstant or phlebotomist, how long did it take you?

I suppose it is, but there are definite liability considerations, depending on what you are doing. You won't likely find this priviledge at a hospital, but more likely at free clinics. You don't need certification to obtain vitals and patient history; that's fairly innocuous, as long as you receive training and are supervised by a professional who has a healthcare license. In general, you cannot, however, provide any treatment or make any interventions without some sort of baseline healthcare certification under which you practice under a medical director's license; even then, your scope of practice is quite limited.

It's fairly easy to obtain phlebotomy certification, and many hospitals will training you on-the-job. Check with one you wish to work for and see if they are willing to do this. CNA is a little more time-consuming, usually taking about a semester, but will allow you to practice under a medical director's license, so you can do much more patient care.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Ironically, even after obtaining EMT-B certification, I still can't use the glucometer in my jurisdiction. 🙄

Hahaha. Wow, thats pretty tragic. My like first day they handed me the glucometer set and had me doing it. We also do A1Cs which is the same process just a different machine does it. Sometimes I wonder about the practices of my clinic and some of the things they let me do...but I'm not gonna complain.

 

[jillibean]

I suppose it is, but there are definite liability considerations, depending on what you are doing. You won't likely find this priviledge at a hospital, but more likely at free clinics. You don't need certification to obtain vitals and patient history; that's fairly innocuous, as long as you receive training and are supervised by a professional who has a healthcare license. In general, you cannot, however, provide any treatment or make any interventions without some sort of baseline healthcare certification under which you practice under a medical director's license; even then, your scope of practice is quite limited.

It's fairly easy to obtain phlebotomy certification, and many hospitals will training you on-the-job. Check with one you wish to work for and see if they are willing to do this. CNA is a little more time-consuming, usually taking about a semester, but will allow you to practice under a medical director's license, so you can do much more patient care.

This probably varies by location. Where I am, phlebotomy is a quarter (10 week) class at a community college, but you only need 80 hours of training to get a CNA (2-3 week class at a nursing home or hospice).

Although CNA work is not the most interesting (to say the least), if you get a hospital job, you might be able to train to do other things (i.e. I know a girl that works as a CNA at the same hospital as me and she is also getting trained at the hosp. to be an EKG tech).

 

[spicedmanna]

This probably varies by location. Where I am, phlebotomy is a quarter (10 week) class at a community college, but you only need 80 hours of training to get a CNA (2-3 week class at a nursing home or hospice).

Good point. OP, make sure to research this with respect to your jurisdiction; each state health board, or governing body, has their own policies regarding these kind of things.

Although CNA work is not the most interesting (to say the least), if you get a hospital job, you might be able to train to do other things (i.e. I know a girl that works as a CNA at the same hospital as me and she is also getting trained at the hosp. to be an EKG tech).

Agreed. Obtaining an actual job at a hospital can be a way to enter into more training and/or responsibility.

 

[Darkshooter326]

Most of the clinical experiences available, from my experience, require some sort of on-site training before being able to do any 'procedural' work. Usually positions that require some formal certification are paid positions, i think 😳

 

[spicedmanna]

Most of the clinical experiences available, from my experience, require some sort of on-site training before being able to do any 'procedural' work. Usually positions that require some formal certification are paid positions, i think 😳

That's my experience as well, for hospitals. Basically, being a volunteer at a hospital doesn't work out for them in terms of liability, but employing you does.

 

[NCF145]

I am a phlebotomist with no certification and I got on-the-job training