work experience

[DoctorC++]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello. I'm a non-trad... I wanted to gain more experience working in the medical/health field. What are some job options that I can consider? I would like to work part-time until I finish my pre-med requirements and then maybe full-time until I get accepted into medical school.

I've volunteered at the hospital and it was very satisfactory. I was thinking something along the lines of phlebotomy or paramedic/emt...

Can anyone share their experiences in their health-related jobs and the training required? I would like to be in a hospital/clinic environment.

Thank you.

 

[rysgst1]

Hi there! Yesterday, I posted a question about the hospital experience I am getting, which is being a patient excort (transporter) and patient care tech in Xray. Everyone agreed, (that replied), that being a transporter provides adequete clinical experience. The training is minimal, but you do get to see how EVERY deptartment in the hospital is ran, which is really cool. Also, the training in Radiology is minimal also and I think it pretty important to at some point get a job in a specific dept, (like radiology), because building relationships with the doctors is very important. Another opportunity that might provide good experience with minimal training is a surgery tech aide, which I haven't been, but a friend of mine does and she experiences a real lot, when literally her job is to just clean up and set up for surgery. Good Luck!

 

[RxnMan]

I've said you need to get your hands dirty (blood/bile/other bodily fluid) and have some good stories to tell at the bar.

LizzyM, a member of SDN and an ADCOM, sums it up by saying you need be where "you can smell the patient."

For particulars, you have to be close and you have to interact with patients. Try and see a range of people from many socioeconomic backgrounds. See how a patient's position in life (age, amount of money, culture) determines, in part, how they want to be cared for. See lots of procedures. Get involved in one if you can, but don't be surprised that an MD won't let you help. Meet and understand how healthcare providers integrate - nurses, PAs, techs, and all of the MD specialities. While you're at it, use the opportunity to create contacts that will write letters and let you shadow them.

For me, being a ER volunteer at a major urban trauma center/teaching hospital worked for all of these, but in the age of HIPAA, you need to be employed to get these sorts of opportunities. EMTs and Paramedics are good choices, but you need to make sure the hospital you're based out of will also provide you these other opportunities. Urban teaching hospitals are good - lot's of patients, lot's of interesting cases, a range of patients (including the poor), everyone is teaching as-is, so one more student (you) won't matter much. State your interest early on. Some docs encourage folks in your position and let them do more than the average person.

 

[moranwoods]

I worked as a phleb at a high volume plasma donation center. Saw my share of puke and body fluids.

Check out this thread in the pre-allo forum.

 

[wook]

I've said you need to get your hands dirty (blood/bile/other bodily fluid) and have some good stories to tell at the bar.

LizzyM, a member of SDN and an ADCOM, sums it up by saying you need be where "you can smell the patient."

For particulars, you have to be close and you have to interact with patients. Try and see a range of people from many socioeconomic backgrounds. See how a patient's position in life (age, amount of money, culture) determines, in part, how they want to be cared for. See lots of procedures. Get involved in one if you can, but don't be surprised that an MD won't let you help. Meet and understand how healthcare providers integrate - nurses, PAs, techs, and all of the MD specialities. While you're at it, use the opportunity to create contacts that will write letters and let you shadow them.

For me, being a ER volunteer at a major urban trauma center/teaching hospital worked for all of these, but in the age of HIPAA, you need to be employed to get these sorts of opportunities. EMTs and Paramedics are good choices, but you need to make sure the hospital you're based out of will also provide you these other opportunities. Urban teaching hospitals are good - lot's of patients, lot's of interesting cases, a range of patients (including the poor), everyone is teaching as-is, so one more student (you) won't matter much. State your interest early on. Some docs encourage folks in your position and let them do more than the average person.

I would 2nd EMT experience. You can volunteer in this capacity with a local fire dept. You not only get to see patients, but help in their care. May also help you down the road when trying to figure out what you may or may not want to do for residency (ie you'll get a decent amount of ED exposure).


Wook

 

[relentless11]

Just curious, how hard is phebotomy class? I need to take this class sometime this year, since the person that normally draws blood for my research may be leaving, so I may have to do it myself..lol.

Don't want it to impact my normal academic routine so if its intense like an EMT course then I'll look into something over the summer. If not then I'll just take it during the normal academic year. Thanks!

 

[r0b0tafflicti0n]

Just curious, how hard is phebotomy class? I need to take this class sometime this year, since the person that normally draws blood for my research may be leaving, so I may have to do it myself..lol.

Don't want it to impact my normal academic routine so if its intense like an EMT course then I'll look into something over the summer. If not then I'll just take it during the normal academic year. Thanks!

Don't sweat it. . .if you have ANY college experience, a phlebotomy course should be a breeze. There was a "theory" component to my class (a crash-course in A + P, more or less), but most of the people in my class were, um. . . not very academically gifted. . .so my teacher's repeated reviews of each topic was an adequate substitute for out-of-class studying. At most, I reviewed my notes on the train en route to class.

 

[billydoc]

Hi All!
I don't mean to hijack this tread. I'm a non-trad (whatever it means), but only in terms of age (26 to be in June). I've been an RN for over 15 yrs, and a Licensed Acupuncturist x 4 yrs, with M.S degree in Oriental Medicine. Do you guys it's likely to help me, or hurt my chnces at U.S MD/DO? I had no problems getting in some of the major Caribbean schools, but now realize that I'm only trying to shortcut my own future. But I've heard that US esp allopathic med schools, don't really want to take ppl with lots of life exp, and over 30? Also I just looked at some 2003 MCAT materials 😱 😕 Holly Crap, I don't think I could pull it off by August.And at my age I don't want to spend 2 more years of "may be" getting in.Should I just forget it, and go to the Carib again ( I've tried ROSS in 2004, got sick, and came back)?

Thanks guys 🙂

 

[relentless11]

Hi All!
I don't mean to hijack this tread. I'm a non-trad (whatever it means), but only in terms of age (26 to be in June). I've been an RN for over 15 yrs, and a Licensed Acupuncturist x 4 yrs, with M.S degree in Oriental Medicine. Do you guys it's likely to help me, or hurt my chnces at U.S MD/DO? I had no problems getting in some of the major Caribbean schools, but now realize that I'm only trying to shortcut my own future. But I've heard that US esp allopathic med schools, don't really want to take ppl with lots of life exp, and over 30? Also I just looked at some 2003 MCAT materials 😱 😕 Holly Crap, I don't think I could pull it off by August.And at my age I don't want to spend 2 more years of "may be" getting in.Should I just forget it, and go to the Carib again ( I've tried ROSS in 2004, got sick, and came back)?

Thanks guys 🙂

From my limited experience, it is NOT impossible for someone "older" to apply and get into medical school. At UCSF, it is not uncommon for someone to be an MS1 at age 40. For students entering in 2005, the age range was 21-38, with a mean of 24.1. So its leaning towards the "non-trad" age. The other UC's are similar, and I am willing to be there are many other schools like that. However just search on SDN, to find those "non-trad friendly" schools.

I don't know where you got that rumor that US allopathic schools don't want people with a lot of life experiences. The opposite is true. You will find topics regarding "well-rounded" applicants. I can guarantee that every school will have some non-trads. Some may have more, some may have less, but regardless they have some. Why worry about something you can't change (e.g.: your age), worry about making a competative application. You're planning a campaign that may last for years, so you want to make each shot count. Take the MCAT when you are ready, psychnologically, and academically. One can easily bomb the MCAT by feeling "unprepared" despite having the knowledge capacity to do well on it. So yea, age is moot...and this is where you take the reigns and go make a good application😉

On a side note, thanks r0b0tafflicti0n for the info. I will definately look into it🙂

 

[labrat2Doc]

Just curious, how hard is phebotomy class? I need to take this class sometime this year, since the person that normally draws blood for my research may be leaving, so I may have to do it myself..lol.

Don't want it to impact my normal academic routine so if its intense like an EMT course then I'll look into something over the summer. If not then I'll just take it during the normal academic year. Thanks!

To work as a phlebotimist, most of it is OJT, and if the employer requires a course it is no more than 2 classes. To obtain a certification in phlebotomy requires 100 sticks ( venipunctures and heel sticks, etc).The phlebotomist that work in the lab where I am are mostly OJT types and the Specimen collection supervisor gives a course leading to certification in house.