Clinical Experience... What's That All About?
So everyone says that clinical experience is a must when applying to PA programs. When I first started on this path I was so intimidated by the aspect of getting a job in medicine, and frankly I was a little scared. I could talk on and on about the different things that I’ve since done for PCE/HCE now because each has taught me a ton and I’ve become a better person.
However, I want this blog to be helpful for others.So here we go, dear reader:
People tend to get confused and scared and a whole bunch of other feelings when you mention PCE/HCE (see below image for my face 3 years ago).
But let's start with the basics...
CASPA has indicated that applicants can gain two different kinds of experience:
Patient Care Experience (PCE)- according to CASPA, this is "experiences in which you are directly responsible for a patient's care." This means that you are providing some kind of treatment for patients. For instance, nurses, paramedics and EMTs, CNAs, MAs, phlebotomists, physical therapists, dental hygenists, and so on and so forth. These kinds of experiences are preferred by most programs.
Healthcare Experience(HCE)- experiences where you are not directly responsible for patient care, but may still have patient interaction. This ranges from scribes, to food delivery, pharmacy technicians, record keeping, etc...
OK now I understand. But how the heck do I get a job??
Ah, this is the question I asked myself for a loong time. How does a clueless college student land a job in medicine with a whole bunch of super smart people?? Being in a city so saturated with medical personnel has made this even harder for me- your mileage may vary with these tips depending on the situation and city you find yourself in, but I hope this is a good starting point for you!
While it is possible to luck out and land a job as medical assistant without any formal training, most people aren't so lucky. After a long job search, I decided that I needed to gain some sort of certification to make myself more competitive. Certifications range from that of a CNA and MA to that of an EMT. Both kinds of certifications can be done either over a semester or over a summer.
Having this additional training, while taking minimal amount of time to complete, can offer a lot in terms of experience. They can also lead you to higher quality/more desirable jobs in the market!
However, not everyone has the time or money to complete these kinds of programs. For those who can't, a wonderful alternative is scribing. You learn the ins and outs of electronic medical records, how a medical provider conducts a physical exam, and even form the basis of medical decision making that becomes a lasting skill once you yourself become a provider. Most scribing entails on the job training as opposed to a course you have to pay to take. The two main companies who staff scribes are PhysAssit Scribes and Scribe America. They may both be in your city, but also may require a decent commute, so take some time to research them well.
No, but really? What kind of experiences do PA programs prefer? I wanna look good for them
If we're being completely honest, PA programs seem to love diversity in their programs. It wouldn't be beneficial to have cookie cutter students who all have the same perspectives on life. With that being said, yes PCE can look better, but it's all about what you take away from the experience. The best experience is the one you enjoy the most!
However, I want this blog to be helpful for others.So here we go, dear reader:
People tend to get confused and scared and a whole bunch of other feelings when you mention PCE/HCE (see below image for my face 3 years ago).
But let's start with the basics...
CASPA has indicated that applicants can gain two different kinds of experience:
Patient Care Experience (PCE)- according to CASPA, this is "experiences in which you are directly responsible for a patient's care." This means that you are providing some kind of treatment for patients. For instance, nurses, paramedics and EMTs, CNAs, MAs, phlebotomists, physical therapists, dental hygenists, and so on and so forth. These kinds of experiences are preferred by most programs.
Healthcare Experience(HCE)- experiences where you are not directly responsible for patient care, but may still have patient interaction. This ranges from scribes, to food delivery, pharmacy technicians, record keeping, etc...
OK now I understand. But how the heck do I get a job??
Ah, this is the question I asked myself for a loong time. How does a clueless college student land a job in medicine with a whole bunch of super smart people?? Being in a city so saturated with medical personnel has made this even harder for me- your mileage may vary with these tips depending on the situation and city you find yourself in, but I hope this is a good starting point for you!
While it is possible to luck out and land a job as medical assistant without any formal training, most people aren't so lucky. After a long job search, I decided that I needed to gain some sort of certification to make myself more competitive. Certifications range from that of a CNA and MA to that of an EMT. Both kinds of certifications can be done either over a semester or over a summer.
Having this additional training, while taking minimal amount of time to complete, can offer a lot in terms of experience. They can also lead you to higher quality/more desirable jobs in the market!
However, not everyone has the time or money to complete these kinds of programs. For those who can't, a wonderful alternative is scribing. You learn the ins and outs of electronic medical records, how a medical provider conducts a physical exam, and even form the basis of medical decision making that becomes a lasting skill once you yourself become a provider. Most scribing entails on the job training as opposed to a course you have to pay to take. The two main companies who staff scribes are PhysAssit Scribes and Scribe America. They may both be in your city, but also may require a decent commute, so take some time to research them well.
No, but really? What kind of experiences do PA programs prefer? I wanna look good for them
If we're being completely honest, PA programs seem to love diversity in their programs. It wouldn't be beneficial to have cookie cutter students who all have the same perspectives on life. With that being said, yes PCE can look better, but it's all about what you take away from the experience. The best experience is the one you enjoy the most!
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