EMT part-time while taking med school pre-req's?

[briy61]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi all,

For the last 8 months, I've been a research assistant at an academic institution, doing non-laboratory research, with a focus on health policy.

While my current job affords me the opportunity to contribute to healthcare from a policy perspective, I am interested in working directly patients, interacting, etc.

To that end, I'm planning to apply to medical school within the next two years, but I need to take the pre-requisites first (I was a marketing major in college).

I plan to start the pre-req's in the Summer '07.

In order to do this, I'll have to quit my current job, because summer classes are only offered in the daytime where I live.

To pay my rent, of course, I definitely need a job, and preferably one that would be A) flexible and B) pertinent to my aspirations.

I'm thinking about taking classes this spring to become a licensed EMT-Basic, and work part-time as such while taking day classes for the time that it takes me to complete the pre-requisites before applying to medical school.

I was wondering if anyone has taken a similar path, or any thoughts at all on this proposed path to med school.

 

[nick661806]

Being an EMT my self, I can tell you that if you want patient contact this is an excellent way to get it. However, if you are planning on relying on a part-time job as an EMT I would caution you because most EMT-Bs make very little. Also, part-time work is usually done by volunteers and paid personal are almost exclusively full-time. That being said, if you can find a paying part-time position and the wage is sufficient, I definately recommend it because it is an awesome experience.

 

[medicalbound]

Don't forget you could also work as an ER Tech. The pay is typically better than on the streets and you get great clinical experience! It may be easier to get a part time position with benefits as well. However, these can be coveted positions depending on where you live, so it might not be so easy to land one of these slots. I did this for 3 years on the weekends while earning my prereqs (and working full time during the week). I'd recommend it to anyone. Good luck!

 

[gotmeds?]

One of the perks of being an EMT is that whatever downtime you have is your own, so you can usually find at least a little time to study. One of downsides, however, is that you don't make a living wage. I started taking my pre-reqs while working as a paramedic (medics actually do make a living wage) and between shift trades and paid sick days, I managed to work full-time and be a full-time student. Barely, though.

 

[briy61]

Are there other part-time jobs out there that would involve interaction with patients, doctors, etc. ...that one could do while taking pre-req's

 

[briy61]

thanks for the responses by the way - this forum is great!

 

[mshheaddoc]

I know some people who work as unit techs, although there is no downtime either in that job or in ER. I considered that route but opted for private loans to concentrate on my studies as finding part-time work seemed to be hard as in the area I was in it was all volunteer.

 

[mshheaddoc]

I looked into phlebotomy, if I had more time (and did't already have a full course load) I was going to do a semester program through a community college for it. Some doctors might be able to hire you as a medical assistant but usually that is a position that is hard to come by unless you have contacts or your school helps premed with jobs. One of the schools I attended had a TON of opportunities like the med assist. I was jealous I didn't live closer to school.

 

[tkdrifto]

I am a Phlebotomist RPT(AMT), and it does afford people the option of getting clinical skill and the flexibility of going to school. They have a lot of per diem positions and if you are fortunate enough, you may be able to get part time with benefits. The pay is slightly better than an EMT in an ambulace on average, yet less than an ER tech.

Many CLS/Lab directors had aspirations to become a doctor yet didn't follow through due to various reasons (married, children, didn't have $$ for apps, etc.) and they will usually be flexible. My boss is flexible and will be willing to let me go interview anywhere. I just have to tell him.

Some side notes though about Phleb:
Pros:
1. You'll learn to palpate for viens, so you won't be messing up when you are a MSI or OMSI.
2. It's invasive, you're literally jabbing people for blood. (Gets over the blood jitters.)
3. You learn about tests and kinda associate it with DX.
4. You also get to work with CLS and learn alot from them on how things get analyzed.

Cons:
1. Work with needles and there is always the possibility of getting poked and having some disease.
2. Lots of time on your feet, since you are answering and responding to nurses, doctors, techs, while running to do STAT draws and blood cultures as needed.
3. Supervisors can be a real pain since they can only relate your performance to the # of draws that you can do; despite the difficulty of drawing from a patient. (IE-Obese, spider veins, elderly; coupled with people with Mastectomys, amputations, IVs, etc.) it can be stressful at times.
4. You work with other bodily fluids (urine, semen, fecal matter, serum, plasma) so be careful and for goodness sakes, please use the hood if you can.
Good luck to you.