Clinical experience can help you learn more about careers in the health professions, determine whether healthcare is the right fit for you, and demonstrate your commitment to pursing a particular profession. It is critical that you learn as possible about today’s health care delivery system through continuous exposure to the clinical setting.
Clinical experience can help you:
Make the most of your clinical experiences and the time you spend in this effort by reflecting on your experiences. Keep a journal. Make a note of your observations, your insights, the impact, etc. Asking yourself a few key questions following your experiences will also help you craft your application and interview answers. Be sure to keep track of your experiences using the experience log and journal.
Clinical volunteer experiences involve volunteering in a healthcare setting, such as a clinic or hospital. As an Emory student, you have many options both on campus and in the Atlanta area. It's important to remember that your volunteer work should be meaningful to you! Clinical community service should not be looked at simply as a way to “check the box.” Working with organizations and populations that are important to you will allow you to have more meaningful experiences and a desire to continue to give back.
Clinical Volunteer Opportunities on Campus and in the Atlanta Area:
Shadowing provides the opportunity to experience the day-to-day life of a healthcare professional. A variety of shadowing experiences is encouraged for exposure to different types of healthcare providers and settings. Most schools do not require a certain amount of shadowing hours, but be sure to check the school (s) you are interested in to verify if shadowing is a pre-requisite. Some hospitals, clinics, private practices, and offices have strict requirements for shadowing. Be sure to be professional in your dress and demeanor. It is always nice to follow up with a thank you note as well.
In order to participate in an Observership Experience at any branch of Emory Healthcare, Emory undergraduate students must first complete the prerequisite requirements established by Emory Healthcare. Click here to access the prerequisites. Any exceptions to the prerequisite requirements must be approved by Emory Healthcare. If you have questions about Observerships at Emory Healthcare, please email your pre-health advisor. Please note Pre-Health Advising does not match students with Observership opportunities.
Anyone interested in shadowing at a branch of Emory Healthcare who is NOT an Emory undergraduate student should contact the Emory Healthcare Office of Observership Credentialing (observership.credentialing@emoryhealthcare.org) for further instructions. This includes Emory graduate students and employees, as well as individuals outside of Emory.
Informational Interviewing is another great way to learn more about healthcare professions. Some hospitals, clinics, private practices, and offices have strict requirements and do not permit shadowing, but the professional may be willing to sit down with you and talk with you about his/her career. You can find more information about informational interviewing on the Career Center website. Be sure to be professional in your dress and demeanor. It is always nice to follow up with a thank you note as well.
There are several options for students to participate in paid clinical experiences. Many paid opportunities require a significant time commitment and prior training, so students often choose to engage in these experiences during the summer or during a gap year.
A medical scribe specializes in charting provider-patient encounters in real time, such as during medical examinations. A medical scribe's primary duties are to follow a healthcare professional through his or her work day and chart patient encounters in real-time using a medical office's electronic health record (EHR) and existing templates. Some of the companies who hire and train scribes in the Atlanta area include:
Healthcare consultants examine the efficiency, profits, and structure of a healthcare organization and offer suggestions on methods of improvement. These positions can give applicants insight to the business and administrative side of healthcare. Healthcare Consulting jobs are full-time positions that require a bachelor's degree. Triage Consulting, based in Atlanta and San Francisco, is one example of a popular healthcare consulting company. To learn more about these types of positions, please visit the Career Center website.
There are several allied health professions that require minimal training (less than 1 year), making them ideal for pre-health students looking to gain experience during school breaks or gap year(s). These professions allow individuals to gain hands-on experience in a healthcare setting. To explore additional healthcare jobs that require minimal training, visit the Explore Health Careers website.