Should I take this lab tech job?

[deleted916225]

I'm looking for a summer job (hopefully one that offers some valuable experience) and I applied for a student lab tech job. I was emailed this:

This is a preclinical medical device research lab that specializes in implanting various biomedical devices such as heart valves, grafts, stents, etc. Our research helps determine the safety and efficacy of medical devices for use in humans. Various animal models are utilized, with the majority of them being sheep, and pigs. Student employees participate in various tasks including helping preparing animals for surgery, making and sterilizing surgical packs, treating animals daily, circulating during surgical procedures, and doing a large amount of general cleaning. It is open Monday-Friday from 7 am to 3:30 pm. Student schedules will work around classes. There are weekly early morning/late night shifts and occasional weekends, overnights, and holiday shifts that are on a rotational basis. This job is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in a veterinary, medical, or health professions.

I know being a lab tech isn't the same as doing research (and I already work at a research lab, although I don't enjoy it much). I'm not sure I can commit 20 hours on top of my work load, volunteer commitments, and research time during the school year. I'm free during the summer though, so maybe I could just work then?

What are your thoughts? Should I take it?

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[deleted915763]

If you are looking for a summer job that will help you get to medical school, I don't think lab tech is the way to go, I'm pretty sure adcoms will know what being a lab tech entails.

 

[deleted916225]

If you are looking for a summer job that will help you get to medical school, I don't think lab tech is the way to go, I'm pretty sure adcoms will know what being a lab tech entails.

What do you think would be a better route? EMT or scribe? Or should I avoid medical-type things?

 

[deleted915763]

What do you think would be a better route? EMT or scribe? Or should I avoid medical-type things?

Either one of those would be great!

 

[thegreengreatdragon]

I wouldn't write off the lab tech thing so soon. Do you think you'd enjoy it? It sounds like an interesting experience, and one that you could probably talk about in your application. This isn't just a "washing glassware" kind of lab tech position.
Plus, lab tech jobs often (in my experience and those of my friends and classmates) lead to research positions later if you end up enjoying the work and getting along well with the people in the lab. You say you don't enjoy the research you're currently doing. Does the research at this lab seem like research you'd like to do?

 

[WIMNFamilyMed]

I wouldn't write off the lab tech thing so soon. Do you think you'd enjoy it? It sounds like an interesting experience, and one that you could probably talk about in your application. This isn't just a "washing glassware" kind of lab tech position.
Plus, lab tech jobs often (in my experience and those of my friends and classmates) lead to research positions later if you end up enjoying the work and getting along well with the people in the lab. You say you don't enjoy the research you're currently doing. Does the research at this lab seem like research you'd like to do?

Agreed, I wouldn’t write it off just because you have research experience already and might need more clinical to check a box. If you want to research more but don’t like your current one, this could be a great transition.

Weigh the new research opportunity and how much more you need a clinical experience. Also consider if you’ll work much as a CNA or EMT once you’re certified or not and if you need money from the research job or can lose money taking the class this summer.

 

[deleted916225]

Thanks to everyone for replying!
I was interviewed today and they elaborated a bit on what to expect. The position would include checking in on the animals, giving injections, taking vitals, intubating, sometimes assisting on the surgeries (closing up) and necropsies, and sterilizing packs among other things. They emphasized that it encourages independence and competence. I think it sounds really cool, but ... they'd want me to work full time over the summer, and I was already planning on increasing my hours at my research lab since I'm helping with a current project and volunteering more.
As far as working during the school year ... do most pre-med students have jobs and research on top of their classes and still do well? I've never had many commitments at once, which made school easy but didn't help with efficiency and time management skills.

 

[tditt21]

do most pre-med students have jobs and research on top of their classes and still do well? .

I currently work ~40 hours a week between 2 jobs, I am taking 17 upper-level credits, and I volunteer and do research. You definitely have to manage your time well, but it's totally doable!

 

[thegreengreatdragon]

It sounds like a really cool opportunity, but obviously, the time commitment can be tough.
I will say that I know some really stellar premeds who have jobs and are still doing very well. I haven't had to work, so I can't personally attest to it, but seeing the people around me, it's very doable if you work hard.
(and hats off to you, tditt! You're exactly the sort of premed I'm alluding to, and I honestly don't know if I could do it. What you're doing is amazing.)