Gap Year Jobs

[965978]

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I need a gap year job and I would like it to be clinical. I was wondering what the relative advantages and disadvantages are? Here are the ones I’m considering:

-EMT
-Scribe
-Phlebotomist
-CNA

Would @LizzyM or @gyngyn be kind enough to chime in?

 

[2.9GPA]

I'm biased but you'd probably have the most fun as an EMT. My buddy and I got hired by the same agency at the same time and work was basically hanging out/eating/studying at post until a call came in. Almost felt bad for getting paid. The clinical stuff was fun in and of itself, and it was pretty rewarding so the downtime was just a plus.

 

[allantois]

Scribe as you can pick up doctors' brains the most

 

[LizzyM]

What one person considers a plus, another might consider a negative. You need to do you which means you need to think hard about each job and what you consider to be the pluses and minuses of each. The adcom doesn't care.

 

[DrFortiusNatando]

These are pretty standard gap year jobs, nothing we have not seen a ton of each year. So the reasons to pick one over the others include 1. better pay. 2. closer to home. 3. greater job security. 4. one job more interesting than the others to you 5. one job will give more flexibility to do other things that you will enjoy and which also may help you in your career as a physician. None is a certain ticket into medical school, and if you have to do a second gap year, some may be much more boring than the others.

 

[stickflip723]

Of the four, CNA will by far have the most patient contact. It is a back-breaking, nausea-inducing, soul-crushing job, but it's hard to find better hands-on experience in a hospital, especially if you can work at a county hospital with residents around. Also, it's a pretty cheap and easy cert to get, and there is always huge demand for CNAs. You will have all sorts of ridiculous stories come interview time.

But, as stated above, you'll probably have way more fun as an EMT.

 

[EMS0821]

I've been working as an EMT throughout my gap year and its been great. Many of the calls aren't true emergencies, however, there are plenty of calls that you can make a real difference in peoples lives which is really rewarding. When you aren't going out on calls, many agencies will give you a fair amount of leeway on what you do with that time as long as the station is kept in order. I get paid on a regular basis for sleeping.

 

[Rachapkis]

The gap year job that is best for you might not be the gap year job that is best for someone else. I would consider the types of things that you most enjoy doing, and seek a job that may inspire/fulfill you. For example, I can see why the folks posting above really enjoyed being an EMT. I personally, however, would not enjoy arriving at the scene of a violent accident. I would also consider your prior experience and look for jobs that would introduce you to a new aspect of medicine or make you a more well-rounded med school candidate.

 

[WhatsUpPup]

I was a scribe. Don't do it through a company (I think Scribe America is the only one left after they merged w/ PhysAssist), as the pay is terrible. If you can find an independent scribe job at an outpatient clinic, you will be paid well with no certification needed. Phlebotomy is a good skill to have, but places that train you on the job are not the best places to work (plasma donation, etc). EMT cert is expensive, but probably the most exciting. CNA cert is quick and cheap, and CNA's are always in demand even if the work is boring. Pharm tech is also a good option if you don't need the clinical hours (my dad is a pharmacist manager at walmart and their pharm techs start at $16 an hour, and then bumped to $18 after certification).

 

[jarednogeek]

I worked at a grocery store. Got multiple acceptances. Do what job you like best.

 

[Boola Boy]

Get a job that will lead to a good career in case you don't get into medical school. Always have a backup plan.

 

[puahate]

I worked at a grocery store. Got multiple acceptances. Do what job you like best.

Loved working in a grocery store

 

[TelemarketingEnigma]

Are you already certified as an EMT? If not, that training will take a chunk out of your gap year by itself, so you may not actually end up working as an EMT very long.

 

[965978]

What one person considers a plus, another might consider a negative. You need to do you which means you need to think hard about each job and what you consider to be the pluses and minuses of each. The adcom doesn't care.

These are pretty standard gap year jobs, nothing we have not seen a ton of each year. So the reasons to pick one over the others include 1. better pay. 2. closer to home. 3. greater job security. 4. one job more interesting than the others to you 5. one job will give more flexibility to do other things that you will enjoy and which also may help you in your career as a physician. None is a certain ticket into medical school, and if you have to do a second gap year, some may be much more boring than the others.

What are your opinions on having a full time gap year job that is completely non-clinical?

 

[jarednogeek]

What are your opinions on having a full time gap year job that is completely non-clinical?

As long as you’re not lacking in an area it’ll have no negative effect. I haven’t done anything clinical during my 18 months off except 12 shadowing hours. Was never questioned during my 10 interviews

 

[Catalystik]

As long as you’re not lacking in an area it’ll have no negative effect.

I agree. Bonus points if you have interactions with the public and get to exercise your people skills.