Volunteer EMS summer?

[NP545]

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Should I volunteer in my local EMS this summer to gain ~110 hours of clinical experience to pad onto my app?

I'm already volunteering in a hospital 4 hours/week and doing part time research over the summer and wanted to know if I should do EMS once a week (10 hours/week overnight) for this summer? Would it be more impressive or will it have no noticeable effect on my app if I do EMS for the summer only and then quit?

 

[clocks123]

I know you probably have heard this before, but only do EMS if you truly enjoy it. Don't always do activities based on if it will make your application more impressive.

 

[Planes2Doc]

Doing a short stint during the summer is the way to go if you aren't taking any classes or studying for the MCAT. It's not going to make much of an impact on your app, since EMT is a very common activity, and there are already applicants who do it as their jobs throughout the year. In my opinion, it's not worth during entry-level clinical jobs due to the extensive time commitment, and because they just don't look all too impressive anymore due to the large number of applicants who do them. As for you, it can only help, and maybe provide some nice stories for your PS and interview. It's another check-box, and will also push your volunteer hours higher, which doesn't hurt either. If you have the time, then go for it! It can't hurt.

 

[NP545]

I don't have any summer classes or MCAT to study for.

Should I do it in 2 different EMS's? I live near 2 different branches and could ride overnight 2 days/week that way. Would amount to 200 hours over summer

 

[Fedekz]

I don't have any summer classes or MCAT to study for.

Should I do it in 2 different EMS's? I live near 2 different branches and could ride overnight 2 days/week that way. Would amount to 200 hours over summer

Are you an EMT-B? When you say "ride overnight" 2 days a week, do you mean 3rd ride or actually work 2 nights a week.

If you're just going to ride with a crew twice a week id look into different agencies, I know id probably get pissed off having a 3rd rider two days a week (I only work 3 days a week at that). Just keep that in mind, you may want to ride to pad your resume but you should consider whoever your riding with.

Now if you're an emt and actually working (I.e just you and hopefully a paramedic) then it's obviously a totally different story.

I personally don't think you should just do EMS to pad your application, but I'm probably just a bitter paramedic who thinks it degrades the profession...

 

[volunteeremt]

You need to clarify whether or not you are an EMT or paramedic (or neither). In order for you to have a beneficial experience (in terms of making you a better applicant), you will actually have to be responsible for patients. And observing other EMTs work will not be regarded highly since many applicants are actual EMTs themselves. If you are an EMT, and you will have the opportunity to be responsible for patients, go for it. If it's just to pad the volunteer hours, find something else to do.