Logan Reid
Whether or not volunteering at a hospital is considered clinical experience is a topic of debate. Some people argue that hospital volunteering does not count as clinical experience because it does not involve direct patient care or clinical procedures. On the other hand, hospitals are places where people receive healthcare services for illnesses, injuries, or preventive services, and hospital volunteers often interact with patients and their families, providing support and assistance. While it may not be considered as highly as other clinical experiences, such as EMT or CNA roles, hospital volunteering can still be valuable and provide insights into the healthcare field and patient interaction. It is also a more accessible option for students seeking clinical experience, as it does not require prerequisites or certifications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of work | Getting patients water, restocking glove boxes, comforting patients, talking with them and their families, transporting them, etc. |
| Interaction with doctors | May not get to interact with doctors, nurses, or PAs |
| Perception by schools | May not be considered good enough clinical experience by some schools |
| Perception by adcoms | May not be viewed favorably by adcoms |
| Benefits | Empathy, familiarity with healthcare settings, ability to work as part of a healthcare team, service orientation, bedside manner, etc. |
| Other opportunities | Working as an EMT, CNA, MA, scribe, pharmacy tech, phlebotomist, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Interacting with patients
Volunteers can also assist patients with daily tasks and activities, particularly when working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). CNAs work under the supervision of licensed nurses and help patients with their daily needs, providing an opportunity for meaningful interaction and care.
For those seeking a more active role in patient care, becoming a volunteer Emergency Room Technician can provide a more hands-on experience. This role involves taking a more direct part in patient care, such as dressing wounds, taking samples, and monitoring vital signs. Emergency Room Technicians work in fast-paced and unpredictable environments, requiring quick thinking and decision-making skills.
Volunteering in a hospital setting allows individuals to develop their "bedside manner" and communication skills. This includes learning how to build trust with patients and their families, as well as understanding the importance of empathy and effective communication in a healthcare context.
It is worth noting that the level of interaction with patients may vary depending on the volunteer role and the time of day. Some volunteers have expressed frustration with a lack of contact with physicians and patients, particularly if their volunteer hours are during the late evening when doctors are not present or patients are asleep. Adjusting volunteer schedules to mornings or afternoons can increase the chances of meaningful patient interaction.
Overall, interacting with patients through hospital volunteering can provide valuable insights into the healthcare field, develop important soft skills, and demonstrate a commitment to patient care and service.
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Shadowing physicians
When considering shadowing opportunities, it is important to think about the specialty areas that interest you, such as oncology, neurology, pediatrics, or emergency medicine. You can then reach out to physicians in those fields and express your interest in shadowing them for a few weeks or months. It is important to be professional and courteous throughout the process, ensuring you meet any compliance requirements, such as HIPAA training and providing immunization records.
While shadowing, be mindful of the unique opportunity you have been given. Pay attention to how the physician interacts with patients, builds trust, and communicates effectively. Observe their daily tasks and the challenges they face, as this will provide a realistic perspective on the profession. Remember, shadowing is less hands-on than other clinical experiences, but it is still crucial in developing your understanding of the medical field and demonstrating your initiative to admissions committees.
It is worth noting that not all hospitals or physicians may allow shadowing due to privacy concerns or other restrictions. In such cases, consider alternative clinical experiences, such as volunteering in emergency rooms, community clinics, hospice care, cancer centers, or veteran's administration, where you can interact with patients and gain valuable experience. Additionally, roles like Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), medical scribe, or pharmacy technician can provide hands-on skills and direct patient care experience.
Overall, shadowing physicians can be a rewarding and informative experience, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the medical profession. It is an excellent way to supplement your clinical knowledge and skills, demonstrating your commitment to a career in healthcare.
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Developing empathy
Volunteering at a hospital can be a valuable opportunity to develop empathy, a crucial aspect of providing compassionate patient care. Here are some ways through which volunteering in a hospital setting can foster empathy:
Interacting with Patients and their Families: Volunteering in a hospital often involves engaging with patients and their loved ones. By interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds, volunteers can develop a deeper understanding of their needs, concerns, and challenges. This firsthand experience allows volunteers to cultivate empathy by seeing patients as more than just their medical conditions, recognising their fears, hopes, and unique life circumstances.
Understanding the Patient Perspective: Through volunteering, individuals can gain insight into the patient experience, witnessing the physical, emotional, and mental challenges that patients face. This understanding is essential for developing empathy. Volunteers may observe the anxiety and discomfort patients endure during hospital stays, the difficulties of coping with illness or injury, and the impact of healthcare procedures on patients' lives. This perspective fosters a sense of compassion and empathy, encouraging volunteers to view healthcare through the patient's eyes.
Communicating and Building Trust: Effective communication is vital in healthcare, and volunteering provides an opportunity to develop these skills. By interacting with patients, volunteers learn to communicate in a clear, compassionate, and respectful manner. Building trust with patients, especially in vulnerable situations, is an essential aspect of empathy. Volunteers can learn to listen actively, address concerns, and provide reassurance, fostering a sense of comfort and understanding.
Observing the Impact of Care: Volunteers can witness the impact of quality healthcare on patients' lives. By observing the improvements, recoveries, and positive outcomes resulting from medical care, volunteers can appreciate the significance of empathy and compassion in the healing process. Seeing the difference made by empathetic healthcare professionals can inspire volunteers to emulate these traits in their future careers.
Engaging in Reflective Practice: Reflection is a powerful tool for developing empathy. Volunteers can engage in reflective practices by regularly contemplating their experiences, interactions, and observations. This process allows for deeper self-awareness, recognising one's emotions, biases, and assumptions. By reflecting on their hospital volunteering journey, individuals can identify areas for personal growth, enhance their understanding of others, and cultivate a more empathetic mindset.
While hospital volunteering can offer valuable opportunities for developing empathy, it is important to note that the nature of volunteer roles may vary. Some positions may provide more direct patient interaction and exposure to clinical settings than others. Therefore, individuals seeking to maximise their empathetic growth through volunteering should carefully consider the nature of the volunteer role and choose positions that offer meaningful interactions and experiences.
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$29.98
Working as an EMT
While hospital volunteering is often considered clinical experience, it may not be viewed as favourably as other roles that are more hands-on, such as working as an EMT. EMTs, or Emergency Medical Technicians, respond to emergency situations and provide hands-on skills and care to patients.
EMTs work in a variety of settings, including ambulances, where they may drive, ride, and give medical treatments. They also work at the scenes of emergencies, which can be in any location and type of weather. EMTs are often dispatched with fire and police services, and they may arrive on the scene first or work alongside firefighters to provide initial assessments and interventions. EMTs are responsible for giving a complete report of the patient's condition and circumstances to hospital staff upon arrival at the emergency department.
EMTs must be able to assess and manage a wide range of injuries and illnesses, providing emergency medical care and potentially life-saving interventions. They may be required to stop bleeding, immobilize spines, manage shock, provide ventilation, and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They also prepare patients for transport to the hospital and ensure safe transportation, including monitoring vital signs during the journey.
To become an EMT, individuals must complete a post-secondary educational program and obtain state licensure. Certification exams consist of cognitive and psychomotor assessments, evaluating both knowledge and practical skills. EMTs typically receive further training during their educational programs, including simulated scenarios and clinical experience through ride-alongs with trained EMTs.
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Hands-on patient care
Volunteering at a hospital is a great way to gain hands-on patient care experience. While the specific duties of a hospital volunteer vary, they often involve interacting with patients and providing direct assistance to the nursing staff. This can include tasks such as rounding on patients, offering them water, tea, or coffee, and providing fresh towels and gowns. Volunteers may also assist with administrative tasks, such as taking out soiled linen bags and replacing them with clean ones.
In addition to these general duties, volunteers can also gain hands-on patient care experience by seeking out opportunities to work directly with patients. For example, volunteers can offer to help move patients, restock IV trays, or drive patients to and from their appointments. In some cases, volunteers may even be able to assist with more specialised tasks, such as taking blood specimens to the lab or monitoring patients' vital signs, under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
For those interested in a more hands-on role, becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) can provide an opportunity to gain more extensive patient care skills. These roles often involve working alongside nurses or physicians to provide direct care to patients, and can be done part-time or full-time while pursuing education.
Volunteering in a hospital setting can also provide valuable experience in communicating and empathising with patients and their families. This may include offering emotional support, reading to patients, or simply engaging in friendly conversation. Such experiences can help volunteers develop their "bedside manner" and improve their ability to care for patients in a holistic manner.
Overall, volunteering at a hospital can provide a range of hands-on patient care experiences that can be both rewarding and informative for those interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. By seeking out opportunities to assist both patients and healthcare staff, volunteers can gain valuable skills and make a positive impact on the lives of others.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the nature of the volunteering work. If the work involves direct interaction with patients and providing them with some form of care or service, then it is considered clinical experience. However, if the work does not involve direct patient care, such as restocking supplies or administrative tasks, it may not be considered clinical experience.
Volunteering at a hospital can involve various tasks, and some examples that would likely be considered clinical experience include:
- Interacting and providing support to patients and their families.
- Assisting with patient care under the supervision of healthcare professionals.
- Working directly with patients in research studies aimed at improving patient experiences.
Yes, volunteering at a hospital can still provide valuable insights and experiences even if it doesn't meet the strict definition of clinical experience. It can give you a sense of the hospital culture, allow you to interact with healthcare professionals like nurses, technicians, and physicians, and help you understand the healthcare system. These experiences can still be beneficial and showcase your commitment to a medical career.
Yes, there are alternative paths to gaining clinical experience. Some examples include:
- Working or volunteering at local clinics, nursing homes, or hospice care facilities, where you can interact with patients and provide comfort and support.
- Participating in clinical research projects that involve direct patient interaction or community health initiatives like HIV or COVID-19 testing.
- Taking on paid clinical jobs or internships in medical facilities, which often offer extensive hands-on experience and patient interaction.
