As a pre-health student, gaining clinical experience is a crucial step in your journey toward a healthcare career. Clinical experience not only provides valuable exposure to the healthcare field, but also helps you develop important skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork. In this blog post, we’ll cover some tips and advice to help you get clinical experience to make the most of it.
- Volunteer at a hospital or clinic
One of the best ways to gain clinical experience is by volunteering at a hospital or clinic. Hospitals and clinics are always in need of volunteers, and you can gain exposure to a variety of healthcare settings and specialties. You may have the opportunity to assist healthcare professionals with patient care, interact with patients and their families, and observe healthcare procedures.
- Shadow healthcare professionals
Shadowing healthcare professionals is another great way to gain clinical experience. Shadowing allows you to observe healthcare professionals in action and gain insight into their daily work. You can learn about different specialties and fields of healthcare, observe patient interactions, and gain an understanding of the healthcare system.
- Participate in research projects
Participating in research projects that involve patient interaction is another way to gain clinical experience. Research projects can provide exposure to the latest advances in healthcare and allow you to work with healthcare professionals and patients. You may have the opportunity to assist with data collection, patient recruitment, and other aspects of research.
- Consider a healthcare-related job
Working in a healthcare-related job can provide valuable clinical experience and exposure to the healthcare field. Jobs such as medical scribe, medical assistant, or EMT can provide hands-on experience with patient care and healthcare procedures. You can also gain an understanding of the healthcare system and the roles of different healthcare professionals.
- Make the most of your experience
Once you have gained clinical experience, it’s important to make the most of it. Reflect on your experiences and think about what you have learned. Consider keeping a journal or log of your experiences and the skills you have developed. Talk to healthcare professionals and other students about your experiences and what you have learned.
6. Visit our free job board to access paid entry-level clinical positions
CapYear partners with employers who want to hire pre-health students. Our job board is free and you can submit your resume within minutes!
Gaining clinical experience is a crucial step in your journey toward a healthcare career. By volunteering, shadowing, participating in research projects, or working in a healthcare-related job, you can gain valuable exposure to the healthcare field and develop important skills. Remember to make the most of your experiences by reflecting on what you have learned and sharing your experiences with others.