Being an EMT is ideal for pre-med students since it allows them to have the most involvement, accountability, and abilities while not requiring the year or more of school that paramedic certification does. EMT training typically equates to 6 college credits and can be completed during the summertime or during a typical semester.
Getting pre-med medical experience will go a long way toward ensuring that this is what you want to do for the rest of your life, whether you’ve always wanted to be a doctor or gained an interest in the science of medicine during your undergraduate years.
Medicine is a rewarding job, but it, like any other line of work, has its highs and lows, and the more you know about the reality of medicine, the more equipped you’ll be to make this life-changing decision.
Volunteering as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or working as a paid EMT is one approach for pre-med students to get clinical experience. EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) training gives you the skills you need to treat seriously wounded or sick persons in an emergency situation. When you think about it, there is no other career experience that will provide you with as much patient interaction as that of an EMT.
Let’s Take a Look at School Admissions
The training and experience as an emergency medical technician will undoubtedly seem impressive on paper. It shows medical school admissions officers that you have the requisite medical and patient experience and exposure, as well as the ability to make life-or-death judgments when necessary. This puts you well ahead of other pre-med students who may have had minimal experience as clinic volunteers or research assistants for a doctor.
From The Standpoint of Personal Development
You will have a strong edge if you have worked as an emergency medical technician since you will have dealt with and communicated with patients. Because you’ve already interacted with patients, you’ll be more prepared and less frightened when dealing with them, and you’ll need less time and practice to feel at ease in any healthcare situation.
What Does EMT Training Entail?
Aside from the apparent benefits of EMT training, the training itself is beneficial because of the numerous vital skills you will master during the programme. Here are some of the things you may expect to learn:
- On-site evaluation of individuals’ medical conditions
- Managing trauma and cardiac crises
- Getting rid of blocked airways
- Using sophisticated field equipment
- Using sophisticated airway devices
- Intravenous fluid and drug administration
- Taking care of wounds
- IV medication administration
Is It Valuable For My Time?
If you’re wondering whether or not the time and work you put into EMT training was worthwhile, the answer is yes. EMT training is worthwhile both in terms of admissions and in terms of the actual training you will receive.
Experience As A Pre-Medical EMT Validate For Clinical Experience?
Working or volunteering as an EMT counts as clinical experience since you will be engaging directly with patients and will have the opportunity to give hands-on care. Having this experience and succeeding at it can demonstrate to medical schools that you can work under pressure, interact well with distressed patients, and handle a demanding schedule.
Serving as an EMT, on the other hand, does not substitute for clinical experience in a hospital or clinic environment, such as shadowing. You want to gain a sense of what it’s like to practise medicine, not what it’s like to work in an emergency room.
Conclusion:
It will help you stand out on your application if you have gotten your certification and found a meaningful, long-term job as an EMT before applying to medical school. Do not, however, take on this responsibility at the price of your academics or MCAT score. This is a nice-to-have rather than a need.