How to make volunteering at disabled children's home count as clinical experience?

[hkdc]

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I have the opportunity to volunteer at a home for disabled children. I have some self direction in what the role will be. Could this count as clinical experience? And if so, how can I make this role count as clinical experience?

 

[MedSchoolPilot]

If the role is mostly playing with the kids, reading, or general supervision, it would typically fall under non-clinical volunteering. If you’re more directly involved in their care, helping with feeding, mobility, hygiene, or assisting alongside nurses/therapists during care routines, that’s what usually makes it clinical.
If you have some flexibility, just make sure you understand what your actual day-to-day responsibilities will be before labeling it. Either way, both clinical and non-clinical service in that kind of setting tend to be viewed positively.

 

[hkdc]

If the role is mostly playing with the kids, reading, or general supervision, it would typically fall under non-clinical volunteering. If you’re more directly involved in their care, helping with feeding, mobility, hygiene, or assisting alongside nurses/therapists during care routines, that’s what usually makes it clinical.
If you have some flexibility, just make sure you understand what your actual day-to-day responsibilities will be before labeling it. Either way, both clinical and non-clinical service in that kind of setting tend to be viewed positively.

Good insight. Thank you.

 

[Goro]

Even if it’s nonclinical, it's very commendable activity on your part.

People usuall don't like getting up front eith our morbidity and mortality

 

[LizzyM]

Just a few questions: are these people referred to as "patients" or by some other collective noun? is this facility in the US or abroad?

 

[hkdc]

Just a few questions: are these people referred to as "patients" or by some other collective noun? is this facility in the US or abroad?

They are referred to as patients. The facility is in the US.

 

[LizzyM]

Those are pluses. People who play with pediatric patients in hospital settings call it "clinical volunteering" so I don't see how it would be different for children in a facility where they are called patients. That said, not everyone is as liberal with their definition as I am and if you can provide hands on care under the supervision of a licensed professional, you will be on stronger footing.

 

[hkdc]

Those are pluses. People who play with pediatric patients in hospital settings call it "clinical volunteering" so I don't see how it would be different for children in a facility where they are called patients. That said, not everyone is as liberal with their definition as I am and if you can provide hands on care under the supervision of a licensed professional, you will be on stronger footing.

Understood. Good advice. Thank you.