Medical Assistant or Psychiatric Technician?

[PeninsulaDude]

College Freshman here. I want to increase my clinical exposure and also possibly make some money at the same time. Is being a medical assistant, nursing assistant, scribe, or psychiatric technician worth it and/or helpful for med school apps?

My school has an opening for a nursing assistant position on campus right now. Is this a good thing to take advantage of or pursue? Is it bad that the job title has 'nursing' in it?

I am trying to build my application, personal profile, and extracurriculars around my concern and passion for helping and understanding the biological basis of those with mental illnesses. Is this a good plan? Would becoming a psychiatric technician be a good idea to fit in with this plan or storyline?

The medical assistant job/cert. would be nice because I can continue it back at home during the summer and find employment in various settings and locations. Is it possible to take this class/become certified during the school year? Could I find a way to make work in a behavioral health center with this certification?

Overall, what are your thoughts on these positions in terms of how adcoms view them and their value in clinical experience and worthwhileness. Thanks.

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[Catalystik]

College Freshman here.

1) I want to increase my clinical exposure and also possibly make some money at the same time. Is being a medical assistant, nursing assistant, scribe, or psychiatric technician worth it and/or helpful for med school apps?

2) My school has an opening for a nursing assistant position on campus right now. Is this a good thing to take advantage of or pursue?
3) Is it bad that the job title has 'nursing' in it?

4) I am trying to build my application, personal profile, and extracurriculars around my concern and passion for helping and understanding the biological basis of those with mental illnesses. Is this a good plan? Would becoming a psychiatric technician be a good idea to fit in with this plan or storyline?

5) The medical assistant job/cert. would be nice because I can continue it back at home during the summer and find employment in various settings and locations. Is it possible to take this class/become certified during the school year? Could I find a way to make work in a behavioral health center with this certification?

1) Any of the above would be helpful to a med school application.

2) If you do not have a certification already, it's unlikely they will hold the position open until you have acquired one.

3) No.

4) You'll probably want to paint a picture of broader interests in medicine. It'a a mistake to suggest that you'll only be happy in a single specialty.

5) Your first priority to to earn a high GPA. I'd be concerned that you would dilute your attention to this primary focus by taking too many credits.