Medical Field Experience

[fzwarrior]

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I just finished two years at my local community college originally planning on going into pharmacy. I have been working as a certified pharmacy technician in a retail setting for three years now and have decided to switch to premed. Because pharmacy school does not require extensive voluteer work, I have not yet begun volunteering in medical settings. However, I am hoping that my job as a pharmacy tech will count as medical field experience and be of some value on my med school application and interview. I plan on starting my voluteer work soon and hope to make a smooth transition as I change my career path. 😎

 

[redrower]

i dont think schools will look at your work as a pharmacy tech as medical field experience. its definitely giving you an advantage over those without the experience (you see another side of the industry), but what med schools are looking for in volunteering and shadowing is evidence that youve thought about this career path and have seen the realities of it. a post in this forum talks about "the scent of a hospital," which is something that every premed should have an idea about. you have to show schools youve seen what its like to deal with patients at the end of their lives; youve seen how physically taxing a 48 hour shift can be; youve seen a surgical team and the high level of interdependence it requires to successfully pull off a procedure.

also as a side note (you probably already know this), some schools frown on prereqs taken at community colleges (CCs). i woud suggest looking into completing the required coursework at a 4 year accredited institution.

im sure youll do great following this path if its truly what you want and you work hard at it! good luck!! =)

 

[Stratego]

Your experience working in a pharmacy will be valued, but only the time you spent interacting with patients and educating them about their medications would be considered clinical experience. It is good to have, but not sufficient in itself, so I'm glad you already have plans to start some volunteer work in a clinical/hospital setting. Good luck with the transition to a four-year school. Keep that GPA high.

 

[maaza1]

also as a side note (you probably already know this), some schools frown on prereqs taken at community colleges (CCs). i woud suggest looking into completing the required coursework at a 4 year accredited institution.

Excuse me, but why do they frown upon taking pre reqs at community colleges?
I' am currently going to a community college, and I plan on finishing my Associate's in Science (Biology), and then transfer for Ba in Biology, at a community college because:

- Cheaper
- Smaller class size
- closer to my house

Is this something I should worry about? Thanks.🙁