I am going to be a graduate student in a SMP type program in the fall and I am looking for clinical experience.
I have had previous clinical research experience with limited patient contact (2 different projects, 1 of which I was consenting patients, administering questionnaires and writing down qualitative experiences and it was a PAID position.
I have been emailing professors to see if they have any openings in the their labs but it may be up to a week until I hear from them or I may not even hear from them at all.
I have been interviewed for a volunteer clinical research position in the ER (underserved area) where I would consent patients, enroll them in studies and "conduct clinical research" (not sure what that means exactly.) It is 16 hours a week (volunteer) and may have the opportunity to be paid after 6 months. I would be enrolling patients in various studies as they come thru the ER. It's two 8 hour shifts a week.
My question is: should I take the volunteer position or should I continue looking for a paid position and continue with some free health clinic/mentoring volunteering in the meantime? Would it be better to be a part of one study or build connections in the ER and be consenting for various studies??
I am unable to get an MA position or phlebotomy at the moment because I have no certification and can't commit 20 hours a week during normal businesses hours. Most place hiring around me are also looking for full time employees. What is a good way to get enough clinical experience? I can definitely tie either research position to why medicine (even the ER one)
How will DO schools look at research done in departments of family medicine or with underserved populations?
I am worried if I'm put on one study I won't have any patient interaction and I'll be doing a lot of the paperwork etc.
Any advice would be appreciated
