"Clinical Research" assistant vs. ER tech

[j_diggity]

Hello,

I'm trying to decide between a position of "clinical research assistant" in a pediatric ED and working as an ER tech. The clinical research assistant role is essentially a "terms and conditions" role - I go in and consent patients for certain studies that the department is doing, explain their rights under HIPAA and get them to sign release forms, then go and enter data into a computer. There isn't much that is redeeming about the job (no patient care) besides maybe being able to study sometimes on the job? and the hours are pretty bad and very inflexible - I'd have to work very late on Friday night (till 12-1), then wake up early (730a) Saturday morning for gen chem lab 8-12 and then work again 2-8pm. I JUST started a postbac and feel like it will be very difficult to do a good job in school or at work with those hours, and there's no flexibility. The pros of the job include a potential LoR from the ER MD who runs the research studies (although I have to wonder if I'll get a good LoR if I'm not able to put in my best work) and that I work with other postbac students. I'm not passionate at all about this type of work, though.

On the other hand, I just recently got my EMT license and would like to do something with that. I was thinking that I might really like working as an ER tech. It will probably be busy, so no studying, but I'm OK with that. I could possibly get an LoR from a physician this way as well. I won't be working with other postbac students, but I will be having more fun and will be able to pick hours that work better for me.

Any thoughts as to which of the two routes I should choose? I need to make a decision pretty quickly.

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[jhmmd]

Hello,

I'm trying to decide between a position of "clinical research assistant" in a pediatric ED and working as an ER tech. The clinical research assistant role is essentially a "terms and conditions" role - I go in and consent patients for certain studies that the department is doing, explain their rights under HIPAA and get them to sign release forms, then go and enter data into a computer. There isn't much that is redeeming about the job (no patient care) besides maybe being able to study sometimes on the job? and the hours are pretty bad and very inflexible - I'd have to work very late on Friday night (till 12-1), then wake up early (730a) Saturday morning for gen chem lab 8-12 and then work again 2-8pm. I JUST started a postbac and feel like it will be very difficult to do a good job in school or at work with those hours, and there's no flexibility. The pros of the job include a potential LoR from the ER MD who runs the research studies (although I have to wonder if I'll get a good LoR if I'm not able to put in my best work) and that I work with other postbac students. I'm not passionate at all about this type of work, though.

On the other hand, I just recently got my EMT license and would like to do something with that. I was thinking that I might really like working as an ER tech. It will probably be busy, so no studying, but I'm OK with that. I could possibly get an LoR from a physician this way as well. I won't be working with other postbac students, but I will be having more fun and will be able to pick hours that work better for me.

Any thoughts as to which of the two routes I should choose? I need to make a decision pretty quickly.

Go with whatever position you're more interested in. Whatever you choose, you need to be able to speak passionately about your experiences, so follow your heart.

 

[LindaAccepted]

Hello,

I'm trying to decide between a position of "clinical research assistant" in a pediatric ED and working as an ER tech. The clinical research assistant role is essentially a "terms and conditions" role - I go in and consent patients for certain studies that the department is doing, explain their rights under HIPAA and get them to sign release forms, then go and enter data into a computer. There isn't much that is redeeming about the job (no patient care) besides maybe being able to study sometimes on the job? and the hours are pretty bad and very inflexible - I'd have to work very late on Friday night (till 12-1), then wake up early (730a) Saturday morning for gen chem lab 8-12 and then work again 2-8pm. I JUST started a postbac and feel like it will be very difficult to do a good job in school or at work with those hours, and there's no flexibility. The pros of the job include a potential LoR from the ER MD who runs the research studies (although I have to wonder if I'll get a good LoR if I'm not able to put in my best work) and that I work with other postbac students. I'm not passionate at all about this type of work, though.

On the other hand, I just recently got my EMT license and would like to do something with that. I was thinking that I might really like working as an ER tech. It will probably be busy, so no studying, but I'm OK with that. I could possibly get an LoR from a physician this way as well. I won't be working with other postbac students, but I will be having more fun and will be able to pick hours that work better for me.

Any thoughts as to which of the two routes I should choose? I need to make a decision pretty quickly.

You have two good options. It sounds like you're leaning towards the ER tech and if you think you'll be happier with that, that's what I would recommend. You'll have good clinical exposure and seem to think you will enjoy it more.

 

[MyOdyssey]

ER tech but be careful to limit your hours.

 

[neuroticism101]

Another thing to keep in mind with a tech position is that (depending on the norms in your area) it can be tough to get a job without prior EMS/truck/healthcare experience. It's not impossible by any means but I had to submit at least 50 applications before I got an interview since I didn't have formal truck experience (just campus EMS work).

 

[jhmmd]

Yea it can be helpful to volunteer for a fire dept. first to get some EMS experience under your belt (just saying this for the people who might think it's easy to get an ER tech job w/out first being an EMT on an ambulance). For clarification purposes most hospitals/clinics/etc. do not hire EMTs as ER techs without prior job experience as an EMT.

 

[deleted1017120]

Yea it can be helpful to volunteer for a fire dept. first to get some EMS experience under your belt (just saying this for the people who might think it's easy to get an ER tech job w/out first being an EMT on an ambulance). For clarification purposes most hospitals/clinics/etc. do not hire EMTs as ER techs without prior job experience as an EMT.

This is very dependent on your area.

My entire metro area hires ER Techs and basically none of them (including myself some years ago) have any experience on an ambulance. Aside from the old guard that are in the position for the long haul, they're almost all pre-nursing/pre-med/pre-PA students that have zero healthcare experience prior to getting the job. It's a staple pre-health student job here.

The pay may also be notably better than the OP's other opportunity. I started at $17/hr and that was six years ago. This also may be why it doesn't require ambulance experience; ambulance jobs pay better than ER Tech jobs here.

To the OP, you've listed literally zero positives about the clinical research job in comparison to the ER Tech job. The ER Tech job will give you real patient care experience, almost certainly better pay, almost certainly more flexible hours, and you can also get great LOR's from the physicians you work with (I got several of them).

I don't even see a real choice here, to be honest. You already know which one is a better choice.

 

[jhmmd]

This is very dependent on your area.

My entire metro area hires ER Techs and basically none of them (including myself some years ago) have any experience on an ambulance. Aside from the old guard that are in the position for the long haul, they're almost all pre-nursing/pre-med/pre-PA students that have zero healthcare experience prior to getting the job. It's a staple pre-health student job here.

The pay may also be notably better than the OP's other opportunity. I started at $17/hr and that was six years ago. This also may be why it doesn't require ambulance experience; ambulance jobs pay better than ER Tech jobs here.

To the OP, you've listed literally zero positives about the clinical research job in comparison to the ER Tech job. The ER Tech job will give you real patient care experience, almost certainly better pay, almost certainly more flexible hours, and you can also get great LOR's from the physicians you work with (I got several of them).

I don't even see a real choice here, to be honest. You already know which one is a better choice.

Yea this is more often the case in rural areas. But, like you said, it depends.