CRC vs. MA job for gap year?

[User05252022]

I currently have 1800-2000 hours of wet lab research:

• Lab 1: 150-200 hours
• Lab 2: 400-500 hours
• Lab 3: 1200-1300 hours, summer fellowship, 1 poster, high honors senior thesis, probably eventual mid author publication, but not in time for this cycle

I only have 400-450 hours of clinical experience through campus EMS though, and only the vast minority of those were actual patient contact

I have currently have two job offers for my gap year (similar pay):

1) Primary care medical assistant, 25 minutes commute (1-way)
Pros: More direct patient care experience. Potential shadowing opportunities⁠
Cons: I wouldn't be the MA of a specific doctor, so less opportunities to build a strong relationship.

2) Clinical Research Coordinator, academic center, 50 minutes commute (1-way)
Pros: Different types of research experience. Would still have some patient interaction through screening, data collection (including vitals, height, weight, etc.) Potential network opportunities?
Cons: Funding for clinical research seems uncertain at the moment at a federal level, so potentially less job security? Wouldn't be direct patient care and direct patient hours would be way less. Slightly lower pay.

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[chilly_md]

Do the MA job. You have enough research and don't need to subject yourself to a long commute. 50 hours of shadowing is important to get as well across a few different specialties.

 

[LizzyM]

Longer commute for lower pay and fewer hours of direct patient contact. Seems like a no-brainer to pick the MA job.

 

[LindaAccepted]

I currently have 1800-2000 hours of wet lab research:

• Lab 1: 150-200 hours
• Lab 2: 400-500 hours
• Lab 3: 1200-1300 hours, summer fellowship, 1 poster, high honors senior thesis, probably eventual mid author publication, but not in time for this cycle

I only have 400-450 hours of clinical experience through campus EMS though, and only the vast minority of those were actual patient contact

I have currently have two job offers for my gap year (similar pay):

1) Primary care medical assistant, 25 minutes commute (1-way)
Pros: More direct patient care experience. Potential shadowing opportunities⁠
Cons: I wouldn't be the MA of a specific doctor, so less opportunities to build a strong relationship.

2) Clinical Research Coordinator, academic center, 50 minutes commute (1-way)
Pros: Different types of research experience. Would still have some patient interaction through screening, data collection (including vitals, height, weight, etc.) Potential network opportunities?
Cons: Funding for clinical research seems uncertain at the moment at a federal level, so potentially less job security? Wouldn't be direct patient care and direct patient hours would be way less. Slightly lower pay.

MA job.