There are many different options for gaining medical work experience, including both unpaid and paid positions. Some of these jobs require medical experience or education, while others do not. It may be an excellent opportunity for those with no prior medical experience to determine whether they are interested in pursuing a career in medicine in some form or another.
At a young age, people can gain unpaid medical work experience in a variety of fields. Many hospitals still have candy striper programs, in which teens and young adults are hired to help and support patients. Volunteering at a doctor’s office or shadowing a physician are two examples of programs that are more geared toward learning medical skills. Although these aren’t always “programs,” approaching individual doctors could lead to an unpaid internship, particularly for those considering medical school. The various technician and technology jobs, as well as the numerous support jobs, may all welcome a volunteer who wishes to learn a specific field, and people may be able to find these opportunities doing some research.
There are entry-level positions available for those interested in paid medical work experience that do not require a lot of education. Though most doctors prefer medical assistants with some experience, they may be willing to train someone to work in the front or back office. Experience in a related field, such as secretarial work, may be beneficial. People without prior experience may be able to find work in custodial settings or as assistants in hospitals, birth centers, surgical centers, convalescent homes, or doctor’s offices.
With training, more people will get paid medical work experience, and the type of experience they get will vary greatly depending on the type of training they have. Technicians, technologists, medical assistants, nurses, physician’s assistants, nurse practitioners, emergency medical workers, and doctors are all professions that people can study. Practical training is usually included with education, especially in more hands-on fields.
Even so, many people graduate from programs such as nursing school and discover that employers value education and experience. It can take a long time to find work, and nurses are often advised to set lower expectations for their first job in terms of hours or pay in order to gain experience. Not all experiences are valued equally. Working in a convalescent home, which is readily available, is not always equated to working in a hospital. If a nurse wants to work as a hospital nurse, she may need to commute, work odd hours, or work on a temporary basis to gain the experience needed to land full-time positions.
In the end, medical work experience can only get you so far. Many medical professions necessitate extensive training. It’s still a good idea to have some medical experience before deciding on medicine as a career. When applying to programs that offer more education, early work in this area and strong letters of recommendation from medical practitioners may be useful.