Volunteering or ???

[Jmukhalian]

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I currently work in a hospital as a HUC and a Monitor Tech in the ICU, I was wondering if I need bother volunteering at a clinic or hospital for my apps? I have 2 years put in at a hospital already and plan to have at least 3 more years before I apply for med school. I am not opposed to volunteering but in my area there are not any places you can volunteer and assist with something medical they will mostly just stick you at a desk answering phones or greeting people.

Also how should I get my shadowing hours documented and also I have observed some open heart surgeries in the past but have no documentation when I apply should I even waste my time mentioning that on my app?

 

[chman]

You should volunteer still, but it does not need to be in a hospital. Find a cause that you believe in and go for it. That is not to say that you can or should not volunteer at a hospital, but it would show that you have other interests and other causes you believe in.

Here is another thread with a similar discussion; http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=736445&highlight=scribe

To answer your other question; it really depends on where you are volunteering. At the hospital I volunteer at I clock in to a computer system. The bottom line is that you need to document them somehow. Maybe that means the person in charge does that, or it means you do it yourself and have them sign off on it every once in a while. Even if you are not asked for that verification, it is good to have for sure. At the very least get contacts.

 

[MexicanDr]

Volunteer at a free clinic, hospice, something different..