Help, please!

[ZRCMed]

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So, let's say I've been working as an in-home Patient Care Assistant for an elderly person with a myriad of varying health problems. And, despite the accompanied stress, it has been a pretty decent learning experience. However, I am being paid in cash since this isn't through an agency. Is this still valid for med school apps and my job history? I'm a little stressed about this right now and would greatly appreciate some feedback.

 

[aggie08]

Just my opinion (aka not legal advice):

Yes, it's fine. They aren't going to call the feds and you're learning from it. As long as your not doing anything illegal (things an RN or LVN should be doing) I think it is fine.

 

[Isoprop]

So, let's say I've been working as an in-home Patient Care Assistant for an elderly person with a myriad of varying health problems. And, despite the accompanied stress, it has been a pretty decent learning experience. However, I am being paid in cash since this isn't through an agency. Is this still valid for med school apps and my job history? I'm a little stressed about this right now and would greatly appreciate some feedback.

yes

 

[Mattabet]

Right. I'm not sure that I understand the question, but you are allowed to work for money. Medical school applications don't abhor capitalism.

 

[lstone13]

Right. I'm not sure that I understand the question, but you are allowed to work for money. Medical school applications don't abhor capitalism.

If it's under-the-table pay, I would be wary to mention the fact that it was a paid job. I would be cautious about how you word this. I wouldn't ever necessarily refer to it as a volunteer position (because it wasn't), but I also would not call it a paid job. Of course, include it in your application because it has been a very valuable experience to you. Like I said though, be careful with your wording.

 

[ZRCMed]

If it's under-the-table pay, I would be wary to mention the fact that it was a paid job. I would be cautious about how you word this. I wouldn't ever necessarily refer to it as a volunteer position (because it wasn't), but I also would not call it a paid job. Of course, include it in your application because it has been a very valuable experience to you. Like I said though, be careful with your wording.

How exactly should I be wording it in my applications?

 

[Bacchus]

I can see your apprehension. Are you working as a free-agent or through an agency? To me it sounds as if you saw a "help wanted" poster, called the number, and got the job.

 

[lstone13]

Before I give my opinion on wording, I'm a little concerned with how this arrangement works. What of liability? Usually, these things are through an agency or organization to buffer liability concerns with waivers, training, etc. How did you find out about this job? What kind of responsibilities do you have?

I guess what I am saying is that I just don't have enough information to give you my opinion yet....

 

[ZRCMed]

I can see your apprehension. Are you working as a free-agent or through an agency? To me it sounds as if you saw a "help wanted" poster, called the number, and got the job.

It's not through an agency. There is a Personal Care Assistant ad system from the University I go to that had her contact information on it. And I'm not her only care-giver. She has about 10 or so all from the university.

 

[ZRCMed]

Before I give my opinion on wording, I'm a little concerned with how this arrangement works. What of liability? Usually, these things are through an agency or organization to buffer liability concerns with waivers, training, etc. How did you find out about this job? What kind of responsibilities do you have?

I guess what I am saying is that I just don't have enough information to give you my opinion yet....

Basically, I document her intake and output, keep her company (watching tv and such), feed her cats, organize her medicine (not giving it to her but simply putting the pills in a small cup for her), and I lift her from her bed to her commode. Nothing more than that.

 

[NotSur]

I really wouldn't worry about it. It sounds legit to me. I'd put it down as a job. Do you make under $4,000? You don't need to file taxes for it then so it's not even illegal.

 

[Bacchus]

I don't think the concern here is how you got paid. You need to describe the experience well enough that you don't to appear doing things outside your window of ability. All of the tasks listed above seem legitimate to me. Those are tasks that any family member can do. You just happen to be a local college student doing them. I'm sure you're getting a lot from the experience. The amount of life experience this woman has to offer must be astronomical.

 

[ZRCMed]

I really wouldn't worry about it. It sounds legit to me. I'd put it down as a job. Do you make under $4,000? You don't need to file taxes for it then so it's not even illegal.

Accidental Double post.

 

[ZRCMed]

I really wouldn't worry about it. It sounds legit to me. I'd put it down as a job. Do you make under $4,000? You don't need to file taxes for it then so it's not even illegal.

I make about half that much.

 

[Rachell]

Maybe try to get paid more?? No?

 

[ZRCMed]

Maybe try to get paid more?? No?

I only work a weekend shift, so the payment is fair for the amount of time I work. It's very part-time.

 

[slowbutsteady]

So, let's say I've been working as an in-home Patient Care Assistant for an elderly person with a myriad of varying health problems. And, despite the accompanied stress, it has been a pretty decent learning experience. However, I am being paid in cash since this isn't through an agency. Is this still valid for med school apps and my job history? I'm a little stressed about this right now and would greatly appreciate some feedback.

"myriad" means "many and varied."

"with a myriad of varying health problems" should be "with myriad health problems."

common mistake, but really annoying.