Working Experience

<p>One of my professors recently suggested that I take a certification course in EMT/Paramedic training and try to use employment as such to both help fund my education but also to create valid and applicable experience to my resume for med school apps... </p>

<p>Do you think it will have a significant effect?</p>

<p>First, do not do EMT-P as that is a long (2 years post EMT-B) program and would not benefit you any more than the EMT-B would. OTOH, while EMT-B is not necessary, it can be helpful in getting some good clinical experience. It is the experience you get, not the work that matters. EMT-Bs typically make ~$10-15/hr depending upon where you live. Realize, though, that EMT-B is a pretty saturated market in most places so you may end up volunteering, so it’s really not that great a source of income. It’s the clinical opportunities the cert would afford you that are of value.</p>

<p>I wasn’t worried about the money… I am looking for the clinical opportunity… especially if it’s something that can help me be more active in the American Red Cross… or that I can do something else with like a Doctors Without Borders though I believe the latter only takes docs and nurses.</p>

<p>It is great clinical experience to add to the application, but it is not in itself enough clinical experience. You will still need to do something that allows extensive interaction with doctors.</p>