• The 2026-2027 DO School Specific Threads are now available in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 discussions are now available in the prior year discussions forum.
  • Bring your 2026 application questions to our open office hours with Emil Chuck, PhD, Director of Advising Services for HPSA, and get them answered live. Personal statements, secondaries, interview prep, school list strategy. Sunday, May 17 at 9 p.m. Eastern.

how would the 2 relate?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

Lady Tokimi

Senior Member
10+ Year Member
5+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
How would being a lab tech help you as an osteopathic physician? Anyone?
 
responsibility, critical thinking, working with and as a part of a team....make something up 🙂 i never worked as a lab tech so i can't be more helpful 😀
 
crys20 said:
responsibility, critical thinking, working with and as a part of a team....make something up 🙂 i never worked as a lab tech so i can't be more helpful 😀

Thank you for your response.
 
I was a lab tech for 3 years before entering an osteopathic medical school. it really prepares you for practical/clinical medicine. also, and possibly most importantly, it gives you a tremendous amount of patient contact, which is a learned skill in and of itself. finally, when you read case studies, you'll have a slight advantage because you're familiar with many of the tests and results being presented in the case.
 
TheFish005 said:
I was a lab tech for 3 years before entering an osteopathic medical school. it really prepares you for practical/clinical medicine. also, and possibly most importantly, it gives you a tremendous amount of patient contact, which is a learned skill in and of itself. finally, when you read case studies, you'll have a slight advantage because you're familiar with many of the tests and results being presented in the case.

Not sure what type of lab tech you are but i'm one that works at the bench, so no patient contact 🙁. Just their blood 😀
 
ah, i see. i worked in a private office, so we actually drew the samples then worked them up. the familiarity with the tests will still help.
 
I worked as a lab tech in a hospital. I got to go all over the hospital to collect blood specimens. I worked in the ER, OB, ICU, NICU, and every floor in between. I met many patients, nurses, doctors and other techs. If I had to guess, I would say this job got me into med school and I am sure it prepared me for what to expect on the road ahead.

If you are interested in how to do this, check out your local JC and see if they have a phlebotomist training course. I was placed in a job at the end of my externship. It was great experience and the blood money was good too.

- 👍