Peer Support Specialist - Clinical?

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

I have two opportunities presented for paid work of an at least semi-clinical nature.

First, phlebotomy. Typical hospital-based role afterward. This is pretty straightforwardly clinical and seems like a generally useful skill to have in your back pocket if needed. 🤷‍♂️ This will accrue me more raw hours because 12 hour shifts.

Second, the opportunity I'm more interested in but less sure is clinical, peer support specialist. Essentially a certificate level psychological support person from a similar background to the folks you're working with; I'm qualifying through the Youth pathway to work primarily with young people.

The psychiatrist I've been volunteer MAing with offered to pay for the certification with the state for me to work with a trans youth peer support group for her patients. I'd also have the opportunity to potentially work at a local community-centered inpatient type facility that has a youth wing. The support group would only be a few hours a week, not sure how many hours working part-time at the other place would be yet but I think they're 8 hour shifts.

My main question is, does the peer support specialist count as "clinical experience"? I'm def more interested in that opportunity as a trans person and hopeful future physician of trans people. I also volunteer with a few other LGBT groups like a crisis line for LGBTQIA+ youth and an advocacy organization as well. I do have slight reservations that getting a peer mental health support certificate may raise concerns about non-existent current mental health issues; is this something I should bother to explain or am I overthinking it? Finally, if it is clinical, does the potential offset in hours per activity matter much if I'll have 1000+ clinical hours regardless?

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[Mr.Smile12]

Is this peer support going towards your work as an MA? List as a certification earned if you get it.

 

[LizzyM]

Given that you've referred to the people with whom you'd be interacting as "patients" and if you'd be in a clinical setting, then I would call it clinical.

Sometimes, working with a single population can have the appearance of being overly narrow in your interests while others will recognize that you have an interest in a population with special needs that will need to be met by the next generation of physicians.

Having 1000+ clinical hours is exceptional, regardless of the role or site.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Is this peer support going towards your work as an MA? List as a certification earned if you get it.

It would, yes. I'd be continuing to MA and my role would be expanded to essentially working toward running a peer support group session. Will do RE: cert.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Given that you've referred to the people with whom you'd be interacting as "patients" and if you'd be in a clinical setting, then I would call it clinical.

Great! I will def pursue this option then.

Sometimes, working with a single population can have the appearance of being overly narrow in your interests while others will recognize that you have an interest in a population with special needs that will need to be met by the next generation of physicians.

Totally fair. For me, LGBT health has been a big part of my why medicine so I'd like to pursue that as far as my ability leads. I suppose the chips fall how they will.

Having 1000+ clinical hours is exceptional, regardless of the role or site.

Oh, cool. This is good news! Numbers are super inflated around here, I thought that was fairly average. What's considered exceptional for volunteering hours in your opinion?

 

[LizzyM]

What's considered exceptional for volunteering hours in your opinion?

Full time for one year or more as one would do with City Year or a similar Volunteer Corp that pays a tiny stipend in exchange for full time volunteering.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Full time for one year or more as one would do with City Year or a similar Volunteer Corp that pays a tiny stipend in exchange for full time volunteering.

I agree. 1000 hours is an exception, and that translates to full time for 6 months. Full time AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, or similar is very attractive. Any of the programs that offer "service waivers" for applying for fee assistance to SOPHAS (see the article posted on SDN in January 2023, table 2) can help a little.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Thank you both a lot for your guidance! I'll check out the table. It seems like I'm in way better shape than I thought. 😅

Right now I'm slotted for about 500 volunteer hours primarily on LGBT+ crisis line, a camp for kids with a certain illness, Red Cross elderly veteran outreach, and some assorted activities for soup kitchen, homeless initiatives, etc that are all fairly short term which I plan to put under one "Serving the Underserved" entry on my app.