EMT-B/ER Tech or Rehab Tech? Does it really matter?

[iqe2010]

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So I'm a senior graduating in May with a B.S. in exercise science with a biology minor.

My plan is pretty straight-forward: take 6/7 more classes to raise GPA, take MCAT and apply early and broadly starting May of 2018. I was gonna apply in 2017, but I feel it would be better to space the classes out more and not jump into a post-bac program right after graduating. I feel (somewhat) burnt out, I need a break and I need to start making some money even if it's only 10-15 an hour.

With an exercise science degree I could probably land a job as an entry-level exercise physiologist in a cardiac rehab setting watching old people walk on treadmills all day and checking their blood pressure periodically. However, I'd rather not do that.

I was pretty set on getting an EMT-B certification immediately after I graduate. My local CC offers it in the summer for $1500. I don't have $1500, so I'd have to have my folks pay for it of course. They would do it, but I hate to ask them for more money especially since they paid for my college 100% out of pocket (no loans, yay!).

My other option is I could apply for Patient Care Tech or Rehab tech jobs, those just require BLS which I'll be getting in a few weeks.

As far as medical school applications, would working as an EMT or ER Tech necessarily look better than working as a rehab or patient care tech? I think I would get pretty good hands on patient care with either job. And it would be great if I didn't have to come out of $1500.

I think the important part is being able to convey how my interactions with patients have prepared me for a career in medicine (along with the academic components).

What do you guys think?

 

[Petrichor1]

when you say 'apply may'...isn't june usually when you are allowed to submit? Sorry just confused cause now it's the 2nd time I've heard someone mention they will submit their stuff in may.

 

[iqe2010]

when you say 'apply may'...isn't june usually when you are allowed to submit? Sorry just confused cause now it's the 2nd time I've heard someone mention they will submit their stuff in may.

I'd have to go look to make sure, but I think the application opens up in May and it can be submitted starting June 1.

 

[Petrichor1]

I'd have to go look to make sure, but I think the application opens up in May and it can be submitted starting June 1.

yea that's what I was thinking, you just can't submit until june but begin in may.

 

[RealHumanBean1]

I can't comment explicitly on which would be looked upon more favorably by admissions committees, but I can give you a bit of insight from the perspective of an ER tech.

As far as patient care technician positions go, I think being an ER technician is the best route for anyone whose goal is to attend medical school. In my experience, ER techs get to do and see much more than techs in other areas of the hospital (much less cleaning and turning; not that this is something we're too good for, but it just isn't ideal for exposing yourself to a variety of experiences and interactions). You will encounter a much wider variety of disease than most other departments and will be exposed to a different side of medicine - one that can be taxing at times. Additionally, the environment is much more fast-paced and exciting.

I think all of these factors combine to give you an experience that maximizes your exposure to the different aspects of patient care and keeps things interesting at the same time. It also has the potential to be pretty draining (both physically and emotionally), which I believe can be used to gauge whether or not you're cut out for the daily difficulties you'll encounter as a physician.

As far as working as an EMT goes, I think that would be a wonderful experience as well. Personally, I would choose a tech job because of the upfront costs and longer training period. I also feel you might have a better chance to connect with patients/develop you're patient care skills if you're dealing with patients for a significant amount of time, rather than snagging them at their worst and dropping them off in the ER shortly after (Again, no disrespect is meant, I love my EMS squad; I just feel that an ER tech position will provide you with an experience more appropriate for the skills you're looking to develop).

Best of luck!

 

[iqe2010]

I would love to be an ER Tech actually. I want to be an ER physician as a matter of fact. But it requires IV start and EMT B does not teach that.

I would have to get another certification for IV start/phlebotomy. Which would cost even MORE money.

 

[emergencycat]

I think that they're going to look pretty similar to admissions committees. It certainly looks good and shows a dedication to patient care, but since many applicants do these kind of positions during/after college it's not a game changer in your application. I agree with the above poster, an ER tech is a pretty good gig, whereas working as a patient care tech seems like it may very well be similar to CNA type work. I'm an EMT and have enjoyed the experience, the benefit being that you're in charge of the patient when you're in the field. It's your responsibility to get them safely to the hospital and under the care of a physician. That's a great feeling and an awesome experience. That being said, I've spent hundreds of hours hanging out in the ER in a shadowing-type role under a physician and learned far, far more in that capacity. Many EM physicians are extremely friendly and will take those interested under their wing. Being an ER tech puts you in a position to take advantage of that, to find an ER doc you connect with and learn from them. Both will give you a good experience, but since they'll probably look pretty similar, go with the one you think you'll enjoy more and get more out of. You may want the experience of being in an ambulance and learning about how prehospital care works; if that's so, be an EMT. Take your parents out on a trip after a few months of work to pay them back if the money issue makes you feel bad. If you don't have much experience being in a hospital and really want to spend all your time in the ER (but have a bit less responsibility over the patient), be an ER tech. You'll get more out an experience you enjoy, don't worry too much about what adcoms think of things.

 

[RealHumanBean1]

I would love to be an ER Tech actually. I want to be an ER physician as a matter of fact. But it requires IV start and EMT B does not teach that.

I would have to get another certification for IV start/phlebotomy. Which would cost even MORE money.

You might want to look into the requirements for different hospitals. We don't start IVs at the hospital I work at, although they're working on incorporating phlebotomy into our job duties in the future. You might get lucky and find a hospital in your area with different requirements.

 

[emergencycat]

I would love to be an ER Tech actually. I want to be an ER physician as a matter of fact. But it requires IV start and EMT B does not teach that.

I would have to get another certification for IV start/phlebotomy. Which would cost even MORE money.

Starting an IV is a pretty basic skill you're going to learn in medical school. You don't need to try to do everything now, nor will it be beneficial. Pick the choice where you're going to get better patient exposure. That being said, I'll most likely be going into emergency medicine, and when I asked my mentor (an EM doc) which I should do (ER Tech vs. EMT) he said unequivocally to be an EMT. Many EM docs you talk to were EMTs before medical school. It gives you an insight into prehospital care that is beneficial, and provides you the kind of direct patient care responsibility that you will not have as an ER tech. Don't worry about specific skills at this point in your career like starting an IV, focus on the bigger picture. As an EMT, you are taught and will use the exact same basic clinical skills that you will use as an EM doc. It's a great intro to emergency medicine.

 

[iqe2010]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

I'm going to start actually applying for tech jobs over spring break, and if I don't hear anything then I'd go ahead and get the EMT cert.