Various Clinical Experiences

[westsidestoryz]

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Hello all, I had a question in regards to clinical experiences. I've done some research on these forums and seems like volunteering at a hospital (non-contact) still counts as clinical experience.

I have volunteered at a physical therapy department doing clean-ups, assisting PTs, monitoring oxygen levels, and other various non-contact duties (73 hours). I have also looked at charts and monitors and learned a little about patient care.
I will be transitioning to the Cardiology department next week handling the front desk, assisting nurses with patients, cleaning up after patients, and other various office work. I will continue doing this as long as my schedule allows.

All these work are non-contact so I was wondering if Med Schools want students to be more involved in patient care.
I was thinking about getting my Phlebotomist Certificate or become a CMA. I will be applying to several Medical Scribe positions as well as contacting local Doctors if I have can shadow at their clinic.

So my question is if Medical Schools prefer students to have some experiences in patient care (contact) and if getting certified will be a good investment (Costly for my current financial situation).
And how many clinical hours should I have under my belt?

Thank you all

 

[starlite911]

I'm by no means an expert, but in my experience, if you volunteer at a hospice or nursing home, provided you are emotionally mature enough to handle it, you get much more "patient contact," even though it is still mostly in the form of visiting, etc. than you do through most hospital volunteer programs.

To do most things "substantial," you will need a certification. However, I consider this to be unnecessary, particularly if it will cause financial strain. Applying to medical school is expensive. Save money for that.

 

[Goro]

Quoting the great LizzyM: if you can smell the patients, it's a clinical experience.

Hello all, I had a question in regards to clinical experiences. I've done some research on these forums and seems like volunteering at a hospital (non-contact) still counts as clinical experience.

I have volunteered at a physical therapy department doing clean-ups, assisting PTs, monitoring oxygen levels, and other various non-contact duties (73 hours). I have also looked at charts and monitors and learned a little about patient care.
I will be transitioning to the Cardiology department next week handling the front desk, assisting nurses with patients, cleaning up after patients, and other various office work. I will continue doing this as long as my schedule allows.

All these work are non-contact so I was wondering if Med Schools want students to be more involved in patient care.
I was thinking about getting my Phlebotomist Certificate or become a CMA. I will be applying to several Medical Scribe positions as well as contacting local Doctors if I have can shadow at their clinic.

So my question is if Medical Schools prefer students to have some experiences in patient care (contact) and if getting certified will be a good investment (Costly for my current financial situation).
And how many clinical hours should I have under my belt?

Thank you all

 

[Catalystik]

Hello all, I had a question in regards to clinical experiences. I've done some research on these forums and seems like volunteering at a hospital (non-contact) still counts as clinical experience.

I have volunteered at a physical therapy department doing clean-ups, assisting PTs, monitoring oxygen levels, and other various non-contact duties (73 hours). I have also looked at charts and monitors and learned a little about patient care.
I will be transitioning to the Cardiology department next week handling the front desk, assisting nurses with patients, cleaning up after patients, and other various office work. I will continue doing this as long as my schedule allows.

All these work are non-contact so I was wondering if Med Schools want students to be more involved in patient care.
I was thinking about getting my Phlebotomist Certificate or become a CMA. I will be applying to several Medical Scribe positions as well as contacting local Doctors if I have can shadow at their clinic.

So my question is if Medical Schools prefer students to have some experiences in patient care (contact) and if getting certified will be a good investment (Costly for my current financial situation).
And how many clinical hours should I have under my belt?

Thank you all

If you are interacting with patients, you are getting the type of active clinical experience adcomms prefer and that you need to have to be sure medicine is right for you. Touching or having physical contact with patients isn't required; communicating with them is sufficient.

 

[westsidestoryz]

Thank you all for your quick responses.
So what I'm understanding is that, yes I am doing clinicals and no, I do not need to shell out couple thousand bucks to be certified.

But if it will boost my app, I think I would like to become a phlebotomist. In this way, I can get paid while learning on the job. But a medical scribe would be the best way to go.

Any tip on how to stand out as an app?

Thank you all once again!