What Clinical experience do I need?

[Lucylu123]

Hello all...I have been lurking around here for a while and decided it was time to post! I am a 24 yr old nontrad doing post-bacc classes full time. I graduated with a 3.06 gpa but am slowly brining it up (3.19 now with a 4.0 in 5 prereqs) I should be able to bring it up to a 3.33 when all is said and done.

My main question is about clinical experience. I was a psychology major in college, and spent about 2 years working extensively with the autistic population. This includes research, independent study, and a ton of therapy. After graduation, I worked for a year as a family counselor/behavioral specialist in a social work type setting. Then I spent another year working as a Chiropractic Assistant (I know I know, but it was great clinical experience for me...the job was about 95% patient contact.) I don't know how much of this adcoms will look at as "clinical" experience since none of it was in a medical setting.

I am all set up to volunteer at a cancer center this coming semester, but I'm sure that the work won't include much clinical experience. Should I be doing more (getting an EMT-B or CNA certification) or just concentrate on getting A's and volunteering/shadowing?

Thanks so much for your help!

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[ScubaEMT]

It seems to me that one of the most important thing about clinical experience is getting comfortable working with patients. Your work with autistic children should be a pretty good mark on your record.

I have been working as an EMT for a few years now and my knowledge of the medical field as well as my comfort in working with patients and physicians has improved dramatically in that time. I would highly recommend it.

The only issue that I see is that, because you are doing your post bacc stuff, you dont have a lot of time to get used to the roles that you would be taking on as an EMT or CNA. I would recommend trying to get a position as a scribe. I have heard tons of good things from the scribes that work at the ER I am at.

 

[MSmentor018]

Hello all...I have been lurking around here for a while and decided it was time to post! I am a 24 yr old nontrad doing post-bacc classes full time. I graduated with a 3.06 gpa but am slowly brining it up (3.19 now with a 4.0 in 5 prereqs) I should be able to bring it up to a 3.33 when all is said and done.

My main question is about clinical experience. I was a psychology major in college, and spent about 2 years working extensively with the autistic population. This includes research, independent study, and a ton of therapy. After graduation, I worked for a year as a family counselor/behavioral specialist in a social work type setting. Then I spent another year working as a Chiropractic Assistant (I know I know, but it was great clinical experience for me...the job was about 95% patient contact.) I don't know how much of this adcoms will look at as "clinical" experience since none of it was in a medical setting.

I am all set up to volunteer at a cancer center this coming semester, but I'm sure that the work won't include much clinical experience. Should I be doing more (getting an EMT-B or CNA certification) or just concentrate on getting A's and volunteering/shadowing?

Thanks so much for your help!

you've got plenty, more than the average. get the A's, max the mcat. hell if you can quit and just concentrate on school, that's even a better option. I wouldn't worry too much about shadow time, assuming one of your supervisors (MD or DO) can write you a LOR. the whole point of shadowing is to let someone know you're interested in medicine. the numbers get you to the adcom door.....work experience and interview will get you through it. sounds like you're on a good track, keep it up! good luck