<p>Hey all -- </p>
<p>I am currently volunteering in a research lab, but I am thinking about taking on another volunteer job once summer comes, for more exposure to the medical community. </p>
<p>I am also going to be taking summer classes (most likely 2 online classes). </p>
<p>My question is: Should I use my time to volunteer at a regular hospital OR try to find a good physician to shadow throughout the summer (maybe long term?) </p>
<p>It seems to me like the volunteering at the regular hospital doesn't get me much contact with actual medical work, from what I've heard. In that case, isn't it better that I get exposure to the hospital via shadowing? </p>
<p>On a side note: Doesn't the volunteering I'm doing right now count for research AND volunteering hours as well?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Volunteering on AMCAS doesn’t mean “working for no pay,” it means community service.</p>
<p>In addition to what Brown said above on your application you will be asked to categorize every activity you list. You may only attach only ONE label to each activity (No double dipping!) even if the activity is multi-faceted and could reasonably “count” in several categories.</p>
<p>For example, you teach a community education class on water safety to 12 year olds and receive a small stipend for doing so (less than the local hourly wage rate). You need to decide how to classify the position. Paid employment, tutoring/teaching, and community sevice could all reasonably be justified. But you can only choose one category when you list it.</p>
<p>~~~</p>
<p>As to your other question: either shadowing or hospital volunteering will be fine.</p>
<p>Your initial job as hospital volunteer will likely not garner you significant clinical exposure. (It takes time for you to gain the trust and attention of hospital staff. They will want to demonstrate your reliability, ability to follow directions and trustworthiness first.) It may take several (read: more than 6) months to get into a position that has significant patient contact. What hospital volunteering is good for is putting you in place where it’s possible for you get asked to gain significant patient contact.</p>
<p>A story, possibly 3…</p>
<p>D1 volunteered in hospital ER. She provided water, blankets, reassurance to people waiting to be seen. One late night, a slew of high priority cases came in and the EM staff was short of hands. She was tapped to assist with a couple of procedures. (Spinal tap for menigitis, a patient waiting in a exam room pulling out all her IV lines and trying to bolt out the door while bleeding copiously) She performed helpfully so the next time she went in–the EM doc started talking with her and asking to come observe procedures.</p>
<p>D1’s friend also volunteered at an ER. Late one night, 5 shooting victims were brought in. She was told to glove up and was asked to press on a bleeder in one victim’s brain while the doc tried to stablize him for transport. (Her PS essay topic right there.)</p>
<p>D2 spent 2 semesters working as therapy assist volunteer in a neuro rehab ward. She would talk with the various therapists about the brain injuries and deficits of patients. Eventually the therapists recommended her to the chief neuro resident who would answer her questions in detail. Because he thought she asked "good questions: she was eventually invited to sit in on weekly patient evualation sessions with the entire neuro staff (attending, residents, all the therapists).</p>
<p>Ah, I didn’t realize that. Thanks for the clarification! </p>
<p>I just realized that since I’m working volunteering at a research lab through a hospital, I probably already went through the whole application process that regular volunteers have to go through. I had to do a whole ton of paperwork etc. I was looking at the opportunities through the hospital I’m volunteering at now, and there’s a WHOLE TON of direct patient contact volunteering positions! Here they are:</p>
<p>Child Life Department: Inpatient Playroom
Child Life Department: Sibling and Outpatient Playroom
Emergency Department (ED)
Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy
Surgery Center
Therapy Pool</p>
<p>I’ll go ahead and talk to people in my lab to see if I can start volunteering there over the summer! Yay!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info :)</p>