Paid Clinical Experience for Pre- Professional Students by William Realyvasquez

Unpublicized Hospital Positions  Several positions exist that require minimal education and cost in order to obtain paying position at a hospital  Unit Secretary  Monitor Technician  Emergency Medical Technician  Certified Nursing Assistant  Phlebotomy Technician

Benefits  More patient interaction than most volunteer opportunities  Experience an unadulterated view for the way a hospital operates  Letters of Recommendation  Pay for time Worked  Very flexible Hours

Unit Secretary  Transcribes medical orders.  Greets people at the nurses' station and answers their questions or refers them to appropriate staff members.  Performs unit-based, non- clinical duties related to the admission, discharge and transfer of patients.  Organizes activities at the nurses' station.

Requirements  High School or equivalent preferred.  Unit secretary and Medical Terminology Course.  Office or hospital experience preferred.  Excellent customer service skills required.  BLS for Healthcare Providers

Education  Flex-Ed Continuing Education Services Chino, Ca  Course Cost:  Length: 6 weeks, Meeting 1 day a week for 4 hours  Starting Pay: Approximately p/hr  Estimated time for return on educational investment; usually 1 st paycheck

Hours and Positions Available  Usually 12 hours shifts but some 8 hours available  Full time: 3 shifts per week of 12s  Partime : 2 Shifts per week of 12s  Per Diem: 1 shift per week of 12s  Full and part time positions offer full benefits; Medical, Dental, Vision, and Payed Time off  Positions are hospital wide

Monitor Technician  Cardiac monitor technicians check the heart rhythm patterns of patients to detect abnormal pattern variations.  They usually work in the emergency room, intensive care, or cardiac care units of hospitals.  These technicians are responsible for reviewing patients' records to determine normal heart rhythms. They monitor current patterns and note any deviations.  Cardiac monitor technicians observe the cardiac monitor screen and listen for an alarm to identify any abnormal heart rhythm variation. They notify nurses and doctors when medical attention is needed.

Requirements  High School or equivalent preferred.  Knowledge of medical terminology and unit secretary course preferred.  Basic arrhythmia course completion.  Office or hospital experience preferred.  Excellent customer service skills required.  BLS for Healthcare providers

Education  Flex-Ed Continuing Education Services Chino,Ca;  California School of Heath Sciences;  Course Cost:  Length: varies  Can be offered free by employing hospital  Starting Pay: Approximately p/hr  Estimated time for return on educational investment; usually 1 st paycheck

Hours and Positions Available  Usually 12 hours shifts but some 8 hours available  Full time: 3 shifts per week of 12s  Partime : 2 Shifts per week of 12s  Per Diem: 1 shift per week of 12s  Full and part time positions offer full benefits; Medical, Dental, Vision, and Payed Time off  Positions are hospital wide

EMT- Emergency Medical Technician  The Emergency Services Tech performs patient care and patient care- related activities under the supervision of an RN/LVN/MD.  Performs other support functions involving equipment/supplies/environ mental maintenance.  EMT may handle/deliver IV solutions or instrument trays that contain medications in the process of setting up for procedures.

Requirements  High School/GED diploma or equivalent. Must have completed accredited school for EMT training.  One (1) year of pre-hospital experience preferred.  Excellent customer service skills required.  BLS for Healthcare Providers

Education  Many programs offered at local community colleges and ROP Programs, i.e Mt. SAC, Citrus College, Baldy View ROP, etc.  Length Usually 1 semester  Accelerated Courses Available: 3 Week offered by UCLA and 5 Week offered by Santa Ana College, and many others  Cost: Community College Tuition to approximately dollars for other programs  Starting pay:  Return on Investment: Approximately 2 pay periods  Stepping stone to becoming a Paramedic

Hours and Positions Available  Usually 12 hours shifts but some 8 hours available  Full time: 3 shifts per week of 12s  Partime : 2 Shifts per week of 12s  Per Diem: 1 shift per week of 12s  Full and part time positions offer full benefits; Medical, Dental, Vision, and Payed Time off  Many positions with local ambulance companies  Positions are emergency room only

CNA- Certified Nursing Assistant  CNAs have to perform various duties depending on the facility they work.  The main duty of the CNA is the daily management of their patients.  CNAs need to take care of the routine needs of the patients and report about the health of patients to their supervising nurse.

Requirements  High school level of knowledge.  One year nurse assistant experience preferred.  Long term care experience is preferred.  Excellent customer service skills required.  Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) certification required.  BLS for Healthcare Providers.

Education  Available at many community colleges, private programs, and various ROP programs  Cost: Varies  Length: Varies  Starting Pay: p/hr  Stepping stone to LVN and RN degrees

Hours and Positions Available  Usually 12 hours shifts but some 8 hours available  Full time: 3 shifts per week of 12s  Partime : 2 Shifts per week of 12s  Per Diem: 1 shift per week of 12s  Full and part time positions offer full benefits; Medical, Dental, Vision, and Payed Time off  Positions are hospital wide

Phlebotomy Technician  A phlebotomist draws blood from patients for analysis or transfusion.

Requirements  Phlebotomy Technician I or II licensure from CA DHS (after 1/1/07).  One year as a phlebotomist preferably in a Hospital Laboratory environment.  LA City Fire Card.  Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Education  California School of Health Sciences;  60 Hours of didactic practive  40 Hours of clinical practice  State Licensing Exam  Cost:  Starting Pay:  Return on Investment: Two pay period

Hours and Positions Available  Usually 8 hour shifts but some 12 hour available  Full time  Partime  Per Diem  Full and part time positions offer full benefits; Medical, Dental, Vision, and Payed Time off  Positions are in Laboratory only  Good experience for those wishing to become CLS