- Joined
- Jun 19, 2004
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I have a question that I am hoping someone might help with. I am a pre-med (actually a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering). I have worked as a health tech at a VA hospital for over 2 years. I work in the OR, and I catch on pretty quick. When I first started there, I was a volunteer. Then an employee. After a bit, I started spending a lot of time in the OR rooms (esp. Ortho lines). I have read all three volumes (an older edition) of Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics, and started to ask a lot of questions. Before I knew it, I was scrubbing in on the cases. After a year or so of holding limbs, I started to learn how to perform the procedures. I was allowed to cut, suture, drill, cut, hammer, burn, and just about every part your typical ortho procedure. I had to demonstrate that I knew the anatomy well as well as having a solid background in what was going on before I was allowed to do this. In addition, I have assumed the role as scrub tech on various general surgery cases as well.
Sounds like a great background for a future orthopod. However, I realize that I have zero hours of formal medical training. I would like to mention this experience in my essay and interviews, but I do not know if I should.
Does anyone know about the ethics involved in this? I really feel like I am in a bind. Thank you.
Sounds like a great background for a future orthopod. However, I realize that I have zero hours of formal medical training. I would like to mention this experience in my essay and interviews, but I do not know if I should.
Does anyone know about the ethics involved in this? I really feel like I am in a bind. Thank you.