Emt?

[DrTex?]

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I graduated college in 2002. I'm going to go back soon and make a run for med school.
It seems like EMT work is one of the best ways to get hands on experience with patients, not only for my apps, but also as a way to determine if medicine is really something that I want to do with my life.
Thinking about this I realized that I may, (or may not,) have a problem.
In April of 2000 I was arrested for DWI. Later I got defferred adjudification. Not to make any excuses, but at the time of the arrest I was under 21. Had I been of age, I doubt that I would have gotten arrested, (I refused the breath test because I knew that it was over 0.)
Do you think that the DWI arrest will cause problems finding EMT work? By the time that I actually try to find the work, the arrest will be 5 years old, DA, with nothing else on my record.

 

[pseudoknot]

No, you'll be fine with a private company. They will only care if you have problems getting licensed or insured to drive.

 

[nockamura]

When I took my EMT cert test, we were asked to provide any information regarding arrests. And, yes, they can look at records that have been sealed since it's DOT. Just tell the truth and it probably won't matter. Haven't taken the ambulance driver's test yet. Supposedly most people fail it the first time. Good luck.

 

[g3pro]

Why do people think that EMT work is good for seeing if you like medicine? As far as the adcoms are concerned, it shows that you want to do EMT work as a career.

 

[Medicfletch]

Why do people think that EMT work is good for seeing if you like medicine? As far as the adcoms are concerned, it shows that you want to do EMT work as a career.

I don't necessarily think so. I feel it shows the adcoms that not only are you dedicated to medicine but you seized the oppurtunity to experience it and enter with an understanding of the rewards and difficulties that lie with a career in medicine. While the pre-hospital arena is different from that of the hospital, it gives you a taste of being on the front lines and making a difference in someones life or realizing you're in over your head. I would much rather have an individual who took the time to ensure medicine was a right fit for them serve as my physician rather than one who entered into medical school right out of college and during their third year realized they hated it. So yes I feel it does allow you see to determine if you enjoy healthcare/medicine to a certain degree, but also gives you experiences to fluff your secondaries and PS. 🙂

 

[DrTex?]

Thanks guys. I hope that it doesn't matter.

g3pro... Well, I can see that you don't think that EMT work is benificial, but I don't understand why. EMT work is very different from the work that a doctor does, but it still exposes people to the aspects of medicine that some people find difficult to live with. Talking to some doctors, having patients die on you, having some patients that are ungrateful and may even try to physically harm you, dealing with the odors and spilled bodily fluids, and getting used to sleeping odd hours are some of the most difficult aspects of medicine.
I am volunteering at a hospital now. I have been working in the pediatrics ward. It is interesting to talk to the patients and help them go get their meals and stuff. It is also interesting to watch the doctors treat the kids and to talk to them about the patients. Still I would like more hands on experience.
I would not be getting EMT experience for the adcoms, but for myself. I want to get bled on and puked on before I start the tourturous process of med school, so I can see if this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
g3pro, where are you in the road to becoming a doctor?

 

[g3pro]

I've heard horror stories about pre-meds who tried to pimp their EMT work or their PA/NA positions in interviews. I've always heard that med schools look down on those particular stats.

I don't know the whole situation as I haven't been through it as an EMT. What I do know is that by spending significant amounts of time with several attendings and fellows and giving input on patients, participating in physical exams, I want exactly to be a physician. I could elaborate more if needed... 👍

 

[beanbean]

If you get your EMT just to put it on your application it will mean nothing. If you get certified so that you can work or volunteer in EMS - great.

I have been a volunteer EMT for 18 yrs. I was complimented on my service to my community when applying to med school. There are plenty of EMTs in my class now at UCONN.

Working as an EMT, particularly if you are the lead tech in a service that does 911 calls (not just transports) is a great experience.

Check out the EMS forum here for more info.