medical experience for P.A.

Started by brightness
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brightness

brightness

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I am currently an undergrad entering my second year and seriously considering applying to PA school after I finish my degree in biomedical science with a minor in psychology. I know that when entering PA school it is very important to have medical experience; however I am a full time student, taking difficult classes and not able to work a full time job while I go to school. I am looking to finish up as quickly as possible, also.
I considered doing phlebotomy but then I read here that it was somewhat lame, or at the very least, not the best medical experience. It seemed like a good choice for me because it is only a class or two to become certified and then limited hours. If phlebotomy is not the best choice, what other jobs are open either at the entry level or just with a class or two? I'm not looking to really start a career, but to get medical experience that will be valuable in PA school and making some extra money while in school certainly wouldn't hurt!!
Thanks!
Lindsay
 
brightness said:
I am currently an undergrad entering my second year and seriously considering applying to PA school after I finish my degree in biomedical science with a minor in psychology. I know that when entering PA school it is very important to have medical experience; however I am a full time student, taking difficult classes and not able to work a full time job while I go to school. I am looking to finish up as quickly as possible, also.
I considered doing phlebotomy but then I read here that it was somewhat lame, or at the very least, not the best medical experience. It seemed like a good choice for me because it is only a class or two to become certified and then limited hours. If phlebotomy is not the best choice, what other jobs are open either at the entry level or just with a class or two? I'm not looking to really start a career, but to get medical experience that will be valuable in PA school and making some extra money while in school certainly wouldn't hurt!!
Thanks!
Lindsay
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ER tech.
 
EMT, ER tech, patient care tech, CNA are some choices.
it is okay to work for a year or so after college and then apply. concentrate on doing well in classes for now. you've got time, no rush. PA school will always be there.
plus, try to shadow PAs when you can.
 
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I'm really wanting to go to PA school right away. I feel a rush...athough maybe I shouldn't, I have no financial backing...so I'd rather just get done and get medical experience part time through school. But I will consider it. 🙂
 
Best advise I have for you? 1- Take a year off. Don't be so quick to get into PA school, they wont want you anyway so fresh out of college. 2- Take an EMT course and apply for work as a CNA, ER Tech (thats what I did..) or whatever. Forget Phleby. You'll learn a significant deal of medicine in the ER, so get to it. Becoming an ER Tech was the best thing I ever could have done, despite the 8.35/hr lousy pay...Cheers and good luck, bro!
 
"Becoming an ER Tech was the best thing I ever could have done, despite the 8.35/hr lousy pay..."

ditto....except it was 6/hr when I did it....then after my emt-p program running 911 calls I made 6.50/hr........then during pa school I worked 24 hrs/wk on a critical care transport unit for 6.75/hr.......I make a bit more than that now......
 
you could just volunteer in an ER (or acute care setting) and apply to a PA program. I would check with the schools you are interested in and see what their "experience" requirement is...

I have "heard" that some schools do not require a great deal of experience...

just my 2 cents
 
I have "heard" that some schools do not require a great deal of experience...

YUP-they are called the lower tier/undesireable programs......
 
Here's the thing- the longer I remain in $6-$8 jobs and barely making money, the longer I can barely pay my bills and eat on my income. Its not that I don't want experience for PA school, but I'm hoping I can get that experience while I go to school. Most of the PA programs I am looking at require 500 hours of medical experience- I am looking at Wayne State U, Central Michigan University, and MAYBE (if I move) Oregon Health and Science U. I'd love opinions on these programs, if you have them.
I will look in to ER teching. I would much rather work in an ER than do the EMT thing- driving to accidents and such and not knowing what I'm getting into is jumping in a bit headfirst for me. I currently work at an animal hospital but its doing clerical work, not vet teching. I am wondering if animal experience would count for PA school?
 
"I am wondering if animal experience would count for PA school?"

NOPE-just vet school🙂
 
Thank you for your help!! I am thinking I will look into volunteering first, then move into working in a nursing home/home for the disabled that is here in Mt. Pleasant. Next summer I will try to take a class in EMT or something. I wanted to do phlebotomy first to eaaase into the medical world, and I may still do that. I'm currently just a receptionist at an animal hospital, but my tummy gets all nervous when an emergency comes in, so I think its best if I work my way into medicine slowly. I'd love to eventually ER tech, because I think that would be faced paced and really prepare you for anything in medicine. I'm working my way through my undergrad fairly slowly, at about 15 credits a semester because thats all I can afford. I could handle more classes, at least one, but I'm going to try and work to get experience while I go to school. Its not that bad since I have free weekends and quite a few free nights this coming semester, too.
 
emedpa said:
"Becoming an ER Tech was the best thing I ever could have done, despite the 8.35/hr lousy pay..."

ditto....except it was 6/hr when I did it....then after my emt-p program running 911 calls I made 6.50/hr........then during pa school I worked 24 hrs/wk on a critical care transport unit for 6.75/hr.......I make a bit more than that now......
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It pays about $11-16 now.. often with differentials 🙂 I'm in the Detroit area.
 
ER tech it is...$11-16 an hour would be pretty cool, actually. Do you need a class for it?
 
brightness said:
ER tech it is...$11-16 an hour would be pretty cool, actually. Do you need a class for it?
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You should try to get an EMT-B for it, but I know that CNA's can be cross trained on the job in some places around here. I had an EMT-B. I agree that doing that job prior to PA school was the best thing I could have done in preparation.

Pat
 
hospPA said:
You should try to get an EMT-B for it, but I know that CNA's can be cross trained on the job in some places around here. I had an EMT-B. I agree that doing that job prior to PA school was the best thing I could have done in preparation.

Pat
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Same here Pat. My EMT-B training and experience was great and helped me tremendously through my PA training & beyond.
 
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As previously mentioned - take a deep breath, you're a sophomore in college, you've got all the time in the world and PA school isn't going anywhere!!!

If you are interested in going the ER tech route - I would also highly recommend getting certified as an EMT or a CNA, while also finding yourself a volunteer position in a local ER at the same time. Even if you only go in once a week, go in there and make a good impression and make yourself known. By the time you finish your EMT course, you'll have most likely set yourself up with a perfect opportunity and a possible job op in that ER. And even if it doesn't work out that way, you've still gained valuable volunteer experience and baseline medical knowledge with the EMT training. So it's a win-win proposition, and that EMT cert. should be valid for at least a couple years if you can't or aren't immediately able to start working. It worked for me; I'm due to start my new job as an ER tech in a month or so at the hospital where I've been volunteering now for a year and I couldn't be happier.

I started in the ER not knowing what I wanted to do - looking into masters/PsyD psych options, post-bacc premed programs, PA school, you name it. That year gave me the clarity I needed to figure out where I was headed and the chance to prove myself to the folks in the hospital where I'll soon be working. You need that clarity and experience yourself, and when you get it you'll be a much better applicant for PA school in turn.
 
emedpa said:
"Becoming an ER Tech was the best thing I ever could have done, despite the 8.35/hr lousy pay..."

ditto....except it was 6/hr when I did it....then after my emt-p program running 911 calls I made 6.50/hr........then during pa school I worked 24 hrs/wk on a critical care transport unit for 6.75/hr.......I make a bit more than that now......
Click to expand...

I was getting paid 11.45/hour but that was the 7p-7a full time in PEDS ER shift. I use to love 😀 seeing those checks and then cry 🙁 but man it is worth it when you are able to say that you know how to draw blood from a one year old with his parents in the room looking over you like hawks....Ahhh the good old days. 😛

Also there are EMT programs that are full time (5 days/week) you can take it during summer A or summer B. Just make sure that the program is accepted by the state. But that is the best route because you get to be involved in soooooo much “hands on" vs. Shadowing. Everything from spinal taps to drawing blood to bagging a pt when they code. Its a lot of fun... also :laugh: a lot of sheets need to be folded and stacked and lets not forget having enough "4 x 4s" and "butterfly needles" ......Its also a lot of fun. :laugh:


Mars 👍
 
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