try to get a clinical job, or not

[crystal87]

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I recently graduated from college and have 4-5 months in which I plan on working full time. I automatically thought to look for a clinical job to gain some more clinical experience (as a hospital tech, etc) and have been filling out a ton of online apps. But reading through the forum, it appears that it can take a while to get such a job, and people often start as a volunteer and work their way up...and it doesn't help that I'm not certified and don't have too much experience (and the economy sucks).

Sooo...I feel like I'm wasting time just waiting around for a possible callback, and I actually do need to start working and earning money.

Should I start looking for a non-clinical job and just volunteer instead?
For those with a clinical position, how soon did you get the job after applying?

 

[centrigeugle]

There aren't any clinical jobs that will hire you knowing that you'll only be around for four or five months.

 

[Etorphine]

i filled out about ~30 "callback" apps, interviewed at 4, and finally landed a part-time gig. After 2 months, I was offered a fulltime position. Keep at it, at least for me it was a pain to get situated but it was worth it. Literally writing this response from work right now.

 

[mvenus929]

I did have training, and it still took me 2 months to find a job. I started PRN, and got offered a full time position when one opened up (shortly after I finished my training).

So yeah, I'd recommend getting whatever job you can, and volunteering if you can't find a clinical one.

 

[45408]

Yes, I would try to do it, but it can be hard. I got my EMT-Basic in December and couldn't land a job until the next October.

 

[zamzee]

I am in the same situation. In the spring before I graduated (I'm a fresh grad, FYI) I applied to three corporate jobs and was able to get interviews at all of them. Except I declined all of them because I didn't wanna work while doing secondaries. Now, I'm applying to clinical jobs to gain some more experience, and NADA. I've started to apply to a mix of clinical/non-clinical jobs to make sure I get some stream of money. Keep at it, we're bound to get something 🙂 Good luck!

 

[estarr]

I am in the same situation. In the spring before I graduated (I'm a fresh grad, FYI) I applied to three corporate jobs and was able to get interviews at all of them. Except I declined all of them because I didn't wanna work while doing secondaries. Now, I'm applying to clinical jobs to gain some more experience, and NADA. I've started to apply to a mix of clinical/non-clinical jobs to make sure I get some stream of money. Keep at it, we're bound to get something 🙂 Good luck!

Thanks for the encouragement 🙂
yea, I called the local ER Dept, and they said that they're currently reviewing 100 applications for one ER tech position 😱
I'll keep applying to hospitals up until the next week or so, and then I think I'll broaden my search. sucks that we happen to be looking when unemployment is so high

 

[Doctor246853]

There aren't any clinical jobs that will hire you knowing that you'll only be around for four or five months.

They do for nursing students🙄 Everytime I train a new tech they all say they are graduating in a few months and will be looking for a job as a nurse. OP dont tell them about the 5 months part. Do you have any kind of certification?

 

[music2doc]

Thanks for the encouragement 🙂
yea, I called the local ER Dept, and they said that they're currently reviewing 100 applications for one ER tech position 😱
I'll keep applying to hospitals up until the next week or so, and then I think I'll broaden my search. sucks that we happen to be looking when unemployment is so high

That's actually pretty good odds (believe it or not). Our average ED Tech position garners over TWO HUNDRED applications. We interview about 5-10 candidates and then almost always hire internally. We don't even consider candidates without at least 3 months of experience on an ambulance or in the ED and excellent recommendations from their current supervisor.

 

[Morsetlis]

Don't you love the preprofessional allied health field? So much competition, so little education.

Try ambulance jobs. Those typically have high turnover and less competition (not to mention the qualification test is actually kinda hard).

 

[crystal87]

Hey guys,

Do you think working as an optometry tech would count as something clinical?
Because I relate optometry with vision correction, which would mean that it's not dealing with patients, per se...

 

[Morsetlis]

Hey guys,

Do you think working as an optometry tech would count as something clinical?
Because I relate optometry with vision correction, which would mean that it's not dealing with patients, per se...

What does an Optometry tech do? Do you talk to patients?

 

[BirdIsTheWord]

That's actually pretty good odds (believe it or not). Our average ED Tech position garners over TWO HUNDRED applications. We interview about 5-10 candidates and then almost always hire internally. We don't even consider candidates without at least 3 months of experience on an ambulance or in the ED and excellent recommendations from their current supervisor.

Where do you live?

 

[EvryDayImHustln]

OP,
I was in the same position, except for looking for a position for about a year. I submitted X > 50 applications for Patient Care Assistant, Clinical Research Assistant, Medical Assistant, and even a few receptionist positions. Nothing! Most jobs required patient contact which I did not have--except shadowing. I had gotten several interviews from laboratory jobs and eventually accepted a full time position in a materials science company (no relation to medicine). This is just how the economy is and medical schools understand that you do need money.

And for all of you who live in/near major cities, "Lab Support" is a great company for finding you laboratory jobs (especially temporary ones). They hook it up.

Good Luck!

 

[music2doc]

Where do you live?

A large city between the Appalachians and the Rockies.

 

[BirdIsTheWord]

A large city between the Appalachians and the Rockies.

Ah, okay! I think I might live next to you actually, but I'm not sure

 

[zamzee]

What's the consensus on informing companies about the fact that you're applying to medical school? I'm thinking maybe we shouldn't tell them. I interviewed for a company I really wanted to work for, and the CEO wanted me to work there. But I told them about my medical school apps in an effort to be honest, and then I got a prompt rejection haha.