EMT-B...?

Nontraditional Premed Discussion
1

Hello,


Curious if anyone has done EMT training/work for the purpose of bolstering there med school application. I have talked with a post-bacc advisor and he recommended it before starting the program. It’s possible to work part time as an EMT while in post-bacc classes instead of a clinical job. Ultimately I’d love to work in Emergency Medicine, so it makes sense. Just wondering if anyone else has done it, or other’s thoughts on the matter.


Thanks!

2

I have worked as an ER Tech for almost two years now, which was the sole reason that I obtained my EMT-B. I have learned SO much by working in the emergency department, all of which will be invaluable when it comes to getting into medical school and getting through it. I have several ER docs, both MD and DO, more than willing to write me an outstanding LOR, and they are constantly giving me advice. If EM is your goal and you still need clinical experience, I would say getting your EMT-B is absolutely the way to go. Good luck!

3

Your best bet for part-time work is in an ER. When I worked as a paramedic I had part-time side jobs at a few private agencies that respond to 911 calls but they were since taken over by their respective counties and that is occurring nation wide. Most places you can work part-time on an ambulance are in nonemergency interfacility transports. You’d still learn a good amount but the poster above me sums up what the ER would do for you.

4

I agree but with a caveat, don’t get married to EM before you even get accepted to med school. I’m 83.71% sure I want EM but know that it well depend on my mentors in school. So many of one specialty NEVER intended to go into what they now love. Peds to Ortho. Ortho to Psych. EM to EM. Derm to any residency that would accept them.

5

Thanks everyone for the responses. I plan on taking the EMT-B course, and we’ll see from there. Good to hear from others who have been down that path. And of course… who knows what will happen in the next 5 years…

6

Just a couple of comments:

  1. A lot of young traditional undergrads get EMT certification solely to put on application so its little or no impact on an application by itself.

  2. Working in a paid position in an ER or EMS is good but you still need clinical volunteering. So getting onto a volunteer squad can be a means to that end.

  3. Showing that you have been working with the EMT in an ER or Ambulance Squad on a regular basis over a long period of time showing commitment and motivation is much more important. This is a nontrad advantage opportunity.

  4. Becoming a crew chief, officer in the squad would be impactful to show leadership. Even something as being event chair for two years would add to that.

  5. PLEASE NOTE If getting EMT-B will impact your time, energy and resources to get good grades in prerequisite courses or prepping for MCAT, reconsider. GPA and MCAT Score are still the two most important items to gaining admissions to medical school. For many nontrads who have modest original GPA, and good post-bacc GPA, MCAT may be the most important factor and one they can most impact


    In sum, by advancing to the EMT-B, working, and, more importantly, volunteering regularly over an extended period of time, can be used strongly to show commitment and motivation in EC and PS narratives on an application.
7

Thanks Gonnif,


You make a lot of great points. I appreciate you taking the time to answer. I would like to get the EMT-B and work for a short time in the position, bot necessarily long term. I have been volunteering for over a year at the Durham VAMC, but it’s been less than consistent due to my current career (I am often gone for 2-3 weeks at a time) . Still, I have well over 100 hours of volunteer time.


Mostly, I want to become an EMT to further solidify my desire to pursue a this career field, and it certainly won’t hurt the application…