Volunteering In Hospitals: Do These Count As Clinical Hours?

Hospital volunteering is a great way to gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting. It is considered clinical experience if there is direct patient interaction and care. This could include assisting nurses, comforting patients, or working in waiting rooms. However, simply performing administrative tasks or data analysis does not count as clinical experience, as it lacks direct patient interaction. Medical schools value both academic knowledge and practical experience, so it's important to showcase how hospital volunteering has shaped your skills, empathy, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. While hospital volunteering can be valuable, it may not be viewed as favourably as other clinical experiences like EMT, MA, or CNA roles, which offer more hands-on patient care opportunities.

Direct patient care

Whether hospital volunteering counts as clinical hours for direct patient care depends on the nature of the volunteering work. If the volunteering role involves direct interaction with patients, it is likely to be considered clinical. For example, volunteering in the ER or ICU and helping patients with tasks such as getting water bottles, blankets, and food is generally considered clinical. Similarly, sitting with hospice patients, interacting with their families, and providing emotional support is also considered direct clinical experience by some.

On the other hand, volunteering in a hospital gift shop or purely administrative tasks are generally not considered clinical. Additionally, some people argue that certain roles, such as medical scribing, are not considered clinical experience as they are closer to shadowing since they do not involve direct patient care.

It is important to note that the definition of "clinical experience" may vary depending on the institution or program. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check with the specific institution or program to clarify what types of volunteering roles they consider as clinical hours for direct patient care.

Overall, gaining clinical experience through hospital volunteering can be a great way to explore your interest in medicine and gain valuable skills. However, it is essential to carefully evaluate each opportunity to ensure it aligns with your future career goals and clinical requirements.

Shadowing physicians

When shadowing a physician, you will primarily be a silent observer, following them through their typical work activities. This includes patient visits, procedures, paperwork, and interactions with other healthcare professionals. You may also have the opportunity to interact directly with patients and their families, but it is important to be respectful and attentive, saving your questions for an appropriate time. It is also important to be punctual and mindful of hospital policies, such as those related to eating, drinking, and hand hygiene.

To find shadowing opportunities, you can start by reaching out to pre-med advisors at your school, who often have connections with local hospitals and practitioners. You can also cold call or email physicians directly, expressing your interest and attaching your resume. It is recommended to accrue a considerable number of shadowing hours, typically around 50-75 hours, before applying to medical school.

While shadowing, keep a journal or notebook to reflect on your experiences and make notes on your observations. These reflections can be valuable when crafting your personal statement for medical school and during interviews. Don't forget to request a letter of recommendation from the physician you shadowed, as this can enhance your application.

In addition to shadowing, volunteering at hospitals, clinics, or hospices can provide a longer-term, active opportunity to engage with the clinical setting and interact with patients and healthcare professionals. This can complement your shadowing experiences and demonstrate your commitment to serving in medical and non-medical settings, which is highly valued by admissions officers.

Assisting nurses

Whether or not hospital volunteering counts as clinical hours depends on the nature of the work and the organisation involved. For an experience to be considered clinical, it typically requires direct interaction with patients or involvement in medical care.

Volunteering roles that involve assisting nurses will likely be considered clinical, as they involve working closely with medical professionals and providing support to patients. This could include tasks such as providing emotional support to patients, assisting with basic care, and interacting with healthcare staff.

In some hospitals, volunteers may also have the opportunity to work directly with nurses and other healthcare team members. This could involve assisting with patient intake, administrative support, or shadowing nurses to learn about their daily responsibilities and patient care routines.

However, it is important to note that not all hospital volunteering roles involve direct patient interaction. Some volunteers may be tasked with restocking supplies, cleaning, or other indirect support tasks. While these roles are still valuable and contribute to the overall functioning of the hospital, they may not be considered strictly clinical in nature.

To ensure that a volunteering opportunity aligns with your goals and requirements, it is advisable to carefully review the role's responsibilities and the organisation's mission and values. By understanding the nature of the work and the impact it will have, you can make an informed decision about whether it qualifies as clinical experience.

Administrative roles

Whether hospital volunteering counts as clinical hours depends on the nature of the work. If the role involves direct interaction with patients, it is typically considered clinical. For example, pushing patients in wheelchairs or assisting nursing staff is likely to count as a clinical role, whereas greeting patients and giving directions around the facility probably will not.

However, it is important to note that administrative roles that do not involve patient interaction or exposure to medical care may not be considered clinical experience by some schools. For example, one source mentions that scribing may not be considered the best clinical experience as it can be seen as closer to shadowing since the scribe is not directly providing patient care.

Therefore, if you are considering an administrative role as a way to gain clinical hours, it is important to carefully evaluate the opportunity to ensure it aligns with your future career goals and clinical requirements.

Civic engagement

Whether hospital volunteering counts as clinical hours is a grey area. Some people consider it clinical experience if there is direct interaction with patients or involvement in medical care. Others believe that hospital volunteering does not count as clinical experience because it usually involves getting patients water, restocking supplies, and other similar tasks.

Regardless of whether it counts as clinical experience, hospital volunteering is still a valuable opportunity for civic engagement and community service, which are highly valued by medical schools. It demonstrates a desire to help others and positively impact the community. Volunteering in a hospital setting can also provide insight into the hospital culture and allow interaction with the healthcare team, which can be beneficial for personal growth and understanding the healthcare system.

When considering hospital volunteering as a civic engagement activity, it is essential to evaluate the specific tasks involved. While some hospitals may offer opportunities for direct patient interaction, others may have volunteers perform more administrative tasks. It is crucial to understand the expectations and requirements of the hospital before committing to any volunteer position.

To make the most of a hospital volunteering experience, it is beneficial to view it as a learning opportunity. Volunteers can gain valuable insights into the healthcare system, develop an understanding of the challenges faced by healthcare professionals, and learn about the impact of healthcare policies on patients and their families. This knowledge can be invaluable for personal growth and can also be highlighted in medical school applications.

In addition to hospital volunteering, there are other forms of civic engagement that can be valuable for applicants interested in the medical field. For example, tutoring, coaching children, and helping the elderly are all mentioned as valuable activities by Princeton's Health Professions Advising. These activities demonstrate a commitment to serving diverse communities and can provide a well-rounded perspective on healthcare needs. Furthermore, community engagement and involvement are highly valued by medical and dental schools, as they showcase an applicant's desire to positively impact their community.

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