CaliPAHopeful Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Hi! I know doing clerical work is not considered HCE. However, I don't have any certifications or anything like that, so I'm just trying to build up any volunteer experience I can get. I am a Junior in college, and I have found both a local hospital and a local free clinic that are in need of volunteers. Which should I go with. I also work, so I don't have enough time to do both. At the hospital I will likely be "on-call" on the floor. This entails admitting/discharging patients, transporting orders to pharmacy, transporting scans, etc. My other option is a free clinic. There, I will be doing strictly clerical work. The only other volunteer option they have is for professionals, of which I am not. Which would be a better opportunity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiggySRNA Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Free clinic. After sometime you can ask to be transferred into a different position such as MA...but that's a risk you have to decide if you're willing to take. Downside is never being able to get that position because you are a not certified/licensed professional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MT2PA Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Considering that they are volunteer positions and neither is really patient care at all, it's up to you. They are essentially the same from a PA application stance. So do whichever sounds more interesting/works with your schedule/ will allow you to access more PAs/etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliPAHopeful Posted December 2, 2015 Author Share Posted December 2, 2015 But I won't have any licences for at least another 2 years. By then, I will have moved back home, 3 hours away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MT2PA Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 But I won't have any licences for at least another 2 years. By then, I will have moved back home, 3 hours away. Not all positions *require* license/certification. It can vary by state and even by organization. Having your foot in the door in some capacity may give you an edge to get a position as opposed to applying as a faceless name. You'll never know until you try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliPAHopeful Posted December 3, 2015 Author Share Posted December 3, 2015 Not all positions *require* license/certification. It can vary by state and even by organization. Having your foot in the door in some capacity may give you an edge to get a position as opposed to applying as a faceless name. You'll never know until you try. The clinic only allows licensed volunteers to actually work with patients. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiggySRNA Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 The clinic only allows licensed volunteers to actually work with patients. Then no point. How I look at life is, if I give my time and day to benefit your organization, your organization must be of some benefit to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliPAHopeful Posted December 3, 2015 Author Share Posted December 3, 2015 Then no point. How I look at life is, if I give my time and day to benefit your organization, your organization must be of some benefit to me. That's why I'm leaning more towards the hospital. I can at least build contacts there because I will be meeting so many healthcare professionals. The free clinic only has a handful of professionals, and I would be in an office with the admin director. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiggySRNA Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Sounds like a smart move :) Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancer_dancer01 Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 I don't know on where you are planning on going to school but a lot of programs stress helping the underserved populations. So to me I would think about doing the free clinic over the hospital as it will look better on applications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliPAHopeful Posted December 3, 2015 Author Share Posted December 3, 2015 That's a really good point. Maybe I'll do the hospital one year and then the clinic the next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckas22 Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Have you considered scribing? While not direct HCE, it is seen as very valuable preparation to most schools and doesn't require a certification (it's also really fun!). I used it as HCE and have had 5 interviews and an acceptance. Also, consider getting a CNA cert. It took me 3 weeks over one summer and was an easy way to earn hours. Not trying to bash your options, just hoping to expand your options to give you the best chance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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