Working while applying

[Palam]

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I mulled over a few threads but they were pretty old.

I recently graduated with a BS in Psychology (studied neuroscience) and took the summer off to finish my degree and study for the MCAT. Now I find myself in a quandary.

I'll be entering EMT school this September but it won't be completed until March 2013. Even then I'll be a volunteer. I would love to get a job that builds clinical experience but it seems very unlikely without training and experience. It had been recommended that I get a certification in phlebotomy and ekg, only for me to find that people with certs and no experience have been waiting years for a job. There are too many MA's, CNA's out there.

I suppose I could try and find my way into some sort of psych clinic, but I'm not sure that's going to offer me a whole lot of experience or money. I apply June 2013, which affords me roughly 2 years to work and gain experience.

Any insight? I'm starting to think that I should just get any job that pays decently and get clinical experience through volunteering. I could also try and get into a hospital at any cost in hopes of building rapport with someone and eventually get moved to ER tech or something of the likes.

Oh and money isn't the biggest deal for me so much as experience. I'm single and living in my parents house and so I would absolutely love to be able to get out of here even if it means eating top ramen. But I think it's important I get my foot in the door somehow.

 

[TwistinD]

What about looking into a research position? I myself am a research assistant in a hospital and its another aspect of medicine that may be interesting to you. I have a masters degree myself, but loads of assistant positions get filled with people who only have a bachelor.

Something to think about!

 

[Palam]

What about looking into a research position? I myself am a research assistant in a hospital and its another aspect of medicine that may be interesting to you. I have a masters degree myself, but loads of assistant positions get filled with people who only have a bachelor.

Something to think about!

That might be my best bet. I could use my experience in the lab at school (although that was much different than what would be in the hospital) to get a position. Do you think it's provided you solid experience?

 

[augeremt]

That might be my best bet. I could use my experience in the lab at school (although that was much different than what would be in the hospital) to get a position. Do you think it's provided you solid experience?

It depends on the PI. In my experience with looking for research work, you need to know the basic gist of what you will be doing but a lot of the training is provided on the job. So definitely mention the lab experience you have but also make sure to emphasize you are a quick self learner and can pick up things along the way. That's honestly one of the most valuable traits in a research assistant.

Good luck!

 

[TwistinD]

Oh yeah, Ive been here 2 months and am already working towards publishing. I have a lot of experience in previous labs, so I'm actually working at a higher position than I was originally sought out for.

As the above poster said, a lot of experience in research depends on the lab and the PI - My PI is wonderful and wants me to succeed - he's been giving me a lot of half-written papers to start finishing so I can get a few publications under my belt. I also get to do a lot of tasks meant for the research scientists, so I'm learning a lot and learning quickly. It's very rewarding.

 

[sisko]

be careful about the EMT route... I got my EMT license a year ago, thinking I could use it to work a part time job while finishing up school and get some good hands on experience with patient care. well, a year later, and I haven't been able to get a job with it yet! 🙁

maybe I'm just a ***** lol, but I did not know at the time, and the school certainly never told me, that for all of the counties in my area, if you want to work for 911 you have to be a firefighter as well as an EMT or paramedic. and there are no volunteer EMS units around here.

check your area, it may be different where you are. and some places have the volunteer units which you can ride on and get experience much better than straight hospital volunteering.

I'm still on the lookout for jobs, so something may yet come up for it here. and at least i got some training and experience taking patient histories, and quasi-"diagnosing" ... you are never supposed to call it diagnosing, and it certainly is not definitive, but you learn that if patient is presenting with X, Y, and Z then you should be suspecting A or B, and here's what you can do as an EMT (and here's what your paramedic partner can do) to fix it or stabilize it. but so far, financially speaking, it has been a giant money loser of an investment.

 

[Palam]

be careful about the EMT route... I got my EMT license a year ago, thinking I could use it to work a part time job while finishing up school and get some good hands on experience with patient care. well, a year later, and I haven't been able to get a job with it yet! 🙁

maybe I'm just a ***** lol, but I did not know at the time, and the school certainly never told me, that for all of the counties in my area, if you want to work for 911 you have to be a firefighter as well as an EMT or paramedic. and there are no volunteer EMS units around here.

check your area, it may be different where you are. and some places have the volunteer units which you can ride on and get experience much better than straight hospital volunteering.

I'm still on the lookout for jobs, so something may yet come up for it here. and at least i got some training and experience taking patient histories, and quasi-"diagnosing" ... you are never supposed to call it diagnosing, and it certainly is not definitive, but you learn that if patient is presenting with X, Y, and Z then you should be suspecting A or B, and here's what you can do as an EMT (and here's what your paramedic partner can do) to fix it or stabilize it. but so far, financially speaking, it has been a giant money loser of an investment.

Wow that's a total bummer, sorry to hear that. It's very different here on Long Island, NY. There were three places for me to volunteer within 4 miles. There were two fire departments but I instinctively just inquired at the local EMT station. Basically I signed a contract to volunteer 8 hours a week for 1 year and they pay for the EMT course and books. Sadly I missed the summer course so I'll be stuck doing the 5-6 month course through the fall.

You can get a paid job if you'd like but it's mostly transporting and little action. Not that there is much action going on at the local station anyway. Too many different EMTs available.

I wish you luck though, just keep looking!

 

[sisko]

ha crazy... yeah my mom who lives in another state said she saw a commercial about that where she is, them paying for your training if you'll volunteer. guess FL is the wrong place to be.

 

[Palam]

I was actually pretty blown away by the fact they would pay for the course. The only problem is if I don't like working there. I did some paramedic ride-alongs in the city and it was way, way busier. It seems like there's so many stations out here that the calls are so dispersed. I guess I'll use the time to study.

But yeah, I need a job. I'm tired of having no money. All my crash cymbals are cracked on my drumset and my car is not being treated the way it should. Kind of sucks.

 

[Palam]

Well it seems like I won't get the job I'd like (ER Tech) without having completed the EMT course. I've been looking at most hospital jobs including research but they all require certs. I'm worried I might have to just take anything for money and volunteering in the mean time.

Any advice? I applied for a nurse/er assistant that didn't stipulate the need for the EMT course but it was preferred, so I told them in my cover letter that I was enrolled in the course and would be willing to do unpaid training.

 

[starlight15]

I mulled over a few threads but they were pretty old.

I recently graduated with a BS in Psychology (studied neuroscience) and took the summer off to finish my degree and study for the MCAT. Now I find myself in a quandary.

I'll be entering EMT school this September but it won't be completed until March 2013. Even then I'll be a volunteer. I would love to get a job that builds clinical experience but it seems very unlikely without training and experience. It had been recommended that I get a certification in phlebotomy and ekg, only for me to find that people with certs and no experience have been waiting years for a job. There are too many MA's, CNA's out there.

I suppose I could try and find my way into some sort of psych clinic, but I'm not sure that's going to offer me a whole lot of experience or money. I apply June 2013, which affords me roughly 2 years to work and gain experience.

Any insight? I'm starting to think that I should just get any job that pays decently and get clinical experience through volunteering. I could also try and get into a hospital at any cost in hopes of building rapport with someone and eventually get moved to ER tech or something of the likes.

Oh and money isn't the biggest deal for me so much as experience. I'm single and living in my parents house and so I would absolutely love to be able to get out of here even if it means eating top ramen. But I think it's important I get my foot in the door somehow.

I'm in almost the exact situation (without the EMT)... just finished MCAT and now looking for a job/volunteer opportunities for the next 2 years although its hard to find a job in the health care/hospital sector with patient interaction when I only have a bachelors. Just not quite sure what kind of job I really want I suppose.

 

[Palam]

I'm in almost the exact situation (without the EMT)... just finished MCAT and now looking for a job/volunteer opportunities for the next 2 years although its hard to find a job in the health care/hospital sector with patient interaction when I only have a bachelors. Just not quite sure what kind of job I really want I suppose.

I've been searching my local hospital online job postings (there are a billion hospitals where I live) and searching craigslist

Pretty much every job with patient contact requires a nursing/medical assistant certification, but I did just come across a position for a "unit support associate" which is pretty much a glorified patient transporter only there are some other menial tasks added. This seems like one of the best ways to get into the hospital until I'm an EMT with some experience.

 

[7175pank]

Why not work as a psychiatric technician at a hospital? It's killer experience and you all ready have the degree for it. The pay isn't great (~10$/hr) but considering the experience and perspective you gain, I think it's totally worth it.

It depends on where you are but from my experience most inpatient psychiatric facilities are more than willing to accommodate you if you aren't a CNA (in my experience it was due to high turnover rates though unfortunately).

 

[Palam]

Usually anything with "technician" in the title means it requires a certification and most likely experience. I will definitely look into it though- thanks for the heads up!

 

[7175pank]

No worries. You don't need a certification just a degree. 😉

I've been doing it for about 2 years now myself and most of the people who come in are fresh from the psychology major farm (self-included).

 

[grt398]

See if you can find a clinical research assistant job. It'll give you plenty of patient contact (potentially) and doesn't require any prior experience as long as you can convince the hiring person you want to work hard and will stick around.

 

[woodside9]

OP, I'm in a similar situation and have been doing volunteer research work while working part time, at least until I can find a clinically-related assistant/technician job that will take me and only requires a bachelor's. good luck!

 

[Palam]

Well guys I'm having a hell of a time trying to find employment. I've started my EMT course but it won't be over until March.

I've been applying to anything with patient contact and general research positions. Not even an interview yet! I may very well have to just find any kind of job at this point because I hate living off my parents! Not to mention I have no money for my hobbies.

I've tried looking and applying for psych tech positions (they are few and far between) but they all want experience.

 

[Palam]

Still looking... Just applied for what was listed as Unit Support (which usually involves patient contact) but the responsibilities were primarily housekeeping.

I'm stuck between taking almost anything in a hospital to get a job and waiting for something miraculous to come my way. Even though I'm just a college graduate I'm worried about "devaluing" myself.

I'm also debating saying "forget it" and volunteering at my dad's hospital and getting a part time job that I think is cool. Something like rock climbing, or a coffee shop. I feel like plenty of people get into medical school without working full time as a medical assistant, it just gives them a big leg up.

Feel free to join my rant.

 

[JoyC90]

OP, I'm in the same exact position as you. Recently graduated with a degree in Psychology (Neuropsych concentration), taking my state EMT cert exam next month, unemployed and living with my parents. I'm behind the curve because I spent 3 months in Ft Sam Houston doing training for my Reserves job and I've been applying to jobs like no other in the past month that I've returned. My friend suggested looking at Unit Secretary positions too if you have any clerical experience, at least that'll get your foot in the door in a hospital and you'll be able to observe things too. I currently am interviewing for Clinical Research Assistant positions. I was REALLY close to getting one at the ER at my local hospital and then an internal candidate was referred to them last minute, I was INFURIATED because the interview went so well and the doctors told me I was at the top of their candidate list 😡

I totally know what you mean by the whole devaluing thing. I didn't spend 4 years at a top school only to be working somewhere like Office Max, ya know?

My next hope is this Clinical Research job at a hospital that specializes in women and infants. I've done 2 interviews with them and they really enjoyed me, so I have a third interview with the Principal Investigator next week. *crosses fingers*

 

[Palam]

OP, I'm in the same exact position as you. Recently graduated with a degree in Psychology (Neuropsych concentration), taking my state EMT cert exam next month, unemployed and living with my parents. I'm behind the curve because I spent 3 months in Ft Sam Houston doing training for my Reserves job and I've been applying to jobs like no other in the past month that I've returned. My friend suggested looking at Unit Secretary positions too if you have any clerical experience, at least that'll get your foot in the door in a hospital and you'll be able to observe things too. I currently am interviewing for Clinical Research Assistant positions. I was REALLY close to getting one at the ER at my local hospital and then an internal candidate was referred to them last minute, I was INFURIATED because the interview went so well and the doctors told me I was at the top of their candidate list 😡

I totally know what you mean by the whole devaluing thing. I didn't spend 4 years at a top school only to be working somewhere like Office Max, ya know?

My next hope is this Clinical Research job at a hospital that specializes in women and infants. I've done 2 interviews with them and they really enjoyed me, so I have a third interview with the Principal Investigator next week. *crosses fingers*

Someone who shares my pain! (I'm sure there are many, many more)

Good luck with the interviews- I'm amazed that brought you back two more times!

 

[JoyC90]

Someone who shares my pain! (I'm sure there are many, many more)

Good luck with the interviews- I'm amazed that brought you back two more times!

Third interview was with the PI and it went very well, she said some very positive things (i.e. "Hope to speak with you again soon" and "If you get this job you'll rock it"), was impressed that I was a first generation college student and that I was actually a local, so I was happy. I was contacted by HR today and they were asking for my references, so here's the final leg of the race! I'm worried, though, that it's going to turn out just like the other job where everything seemed to align and then BOOM some internal candidate snatches the job from me...I'm really not sure what my back up plan is :/

 

[Funke]

I'm in a similar boat. I have a liberal arts degree and have had a horrible time finding medically related jobs. I'm going for a January-April EMT course, and I'm hoping just to get anything full time to support myself while I get the cert. Then I can cross my fingers and pray that I can get a job with it so that I can take my pre-reqs to get into med school (all 8 science courses). Good luck with your search!

 

[JoyC90]

Quick update-- I got a job offer!!!!! I'm happy to say I'll be working as a Clinical Research assistant for the OBGYN hospital in my area! My advice is keep your head up, and stay enthusiastic, if the person sees that motivation in you it'll speak louder than your resume! 🙂 Good luck!

 

[Mister Murke]

I'm in a similar boat. I have a liberal arts degree and have had a horrible time finding medically related jobs. I'm going for a January-April EMT course, and I'm hoping just to get anything full time to support myself while I get the cert. Then I can cross my fingers and pray that I can get a job with it so that I can take my pre-reqs to get into med school (all 8 science courses). Good luck with your search!

This must be a pretty packed boat! Didn't get an ii yet, and I know the #1 problem is probably my lack of experience clinically. Every hospital job I've applied for I've gotten an e-mail saying I don't meet the requirements (even for the jobs I'm overqualified for). It's very frustrating. Since I desperately need a job to pay bills, it's time to look outside healthcare and volunteer as much as I can before the next cycle. Sorry for the rant. Good luck to everyone on this boat!

 

[steveeshair]

If you work part time the alj will say that if you can work part time then you can work full time. Remember you are saying that you cannot work at all when you applied for ssdi So if you work part time you lied to the ssa saying that you cant work at all and want ssdi.