9 Best Jobs for Medical Students (Ideal for Your Gap Year)

Are you a medical student struggling to balance your coursework with the need to earn money and gain relevant experience? You’re not alone. Many students face this challenge, but there are solutions.

This article explores medical students’ nine best part-time jobs, including hospital positions, tutoring, and research assistantships. These jobs offer a variety of benefits, from helping you supplement your income to gaining valuable experience that can improve your medical school application.

We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of taking a gap year and offer tips on choosing the right premed job during that time. Whether you’re looking to gain experience in a clinical setting, improve your patient care skills, or make ends meet, we’ve got you covered with the best jobs for medical students.

So read on to find your perfect fit.

Research Assistant

If you’re a medical student looking for a part-time job that adds value to your resume and provides extra income, consider working as a research assistant. This is one of the best jobs for premed students available to premed students who want to gain hands-on experience in medical research.

You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with medical professionals, learn about clinical research, and develop valuable skills that will help you in your future career in the medical profession.

One of the most significant advantages of this role is gaining clinical experience. You’ll work directly with medical professionals and learn about the latest medical research, which will help you better understand the medical field. You’ll also have the opportunity to obtain experience in research methodologies, data collection, and analysis. This experience will be invaluable as you continue your studies in medical school and prepare for a career in the medical profession.

Working as a research assistant can also be a great option if you consider taking a gap year between undergraduate studies and medical school. Many medical schools value applicants who have taken a gap year to gain additional experience and develop their skills. It can also be a great way to fill this gap, gain valuable experience, and build your skills to succeed in medical school and beyond.

This is one of the best premed jobs available and can provide a valuable addition to your resume and a strong foundation for your future career in the medical profession.

Volunteer Work

Consider volunteering as a valuable option to enhance your medical school experience. It allows you to give back to the community and provides opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Volunteering can take many forms, including working as a medical scribe, a medical assistant, or a nursing assistant. These roles give you hands-on experience in healthcare while also helping those in need.

In addition to gaining valuable experience, volunteering can also help you develop essential skills such as communication, teamwork, and empathy. These skills are necessary for success in the medical field, and volunteering can provide a unique opportunity to hone them.

Furthermore, volunteering can help you build a strong network of contacts, including healthcare professionals and other volunteers, who may be able to provide valuable advice and support throughout your medical school journey.

Volunteering as an EMT can be excellent if you’re interested in emergency medical services. This role requires significant training and certification but can provide invaluable experience in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

No matter what type of volunteering you choose, seek opportunities that align with your interests and goals. Document your research experience and any other achievements on your medical school application.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Working as an EMT can provide invaluable experience in a fast-paced healthcare environment, with over 240,000 EMTs and paramedics in the United States. As an emergency medical technician, you’ll be responsible for responding to calls and providing emergency medical care to patients in need. EMTs are often the first healthcare professionals on the scene, making their role crucial in saving lives.

To become an EMT, you must complete a training program that typically takes up to four months. During this time, you’ll learn how to assess and treat patients in emergency situations and how to use medical equipment and administer medications.

Working as an EMT can be a great gap year job, as it provides a hands-on medical experience that will be beneficial in medical school and beyond. In addition to gaining valuable medical experience, working as an EMT can help you develop critical communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.

You’ll work closely with other healthcare professionals and must be able to communicate effectively with patients and their families. If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding gap year job, becoming an EMT may be the perfect fit.

Medical Scribe

Working as a medical scribe can provide valuable firsthand experience in the healthcare field. They assist physicians in documenting patient encounters and learning medical terminology.

In this role, you will work with patients daily, observing medical procedures and treatments. You will also learn how to document medical histories and diagnostic procedures accurately. This hands-on clinical experience can be invaluable for medical students looking to build their resumes and gain practical knowledge of the healthcare industry.

In addition to providing administrative and clinical support to physicians, medical scribes also have the opportunity to value research experience. They can participate in ongoing medical studies and clinical trials. This exposure to research can help students understand the importance of data collection and analysis in the medical field. It may even lead to opportunities for publication in medical journals.

This job can be an excellent way to gain valuable experience in the healthcare industry. They can also build their resumes and develop their skills in medical terminology, patient care, and clinical research.

If you are considering a medical career, this is one of the best part-time jobs. You will be able to work closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals. This will allow you to learn from their expertise and knowledge. Whether you are looking to supplement your coursework with practical experience or want to explore the healthcare industry before committing to medical school, working as a medical scribe can help you get the knowledge and skills you need to succeed.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

If you’re looking to gain experience in patient care while making a significant impact in the lives of others, becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) may be the perfect opportunity for you.

CNAs work directly with patients, helping them with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They also take vital signs, monitor patient conditions, and communicate with other healthcare professionals to ensure patients receive the best care possible.

Becoming a CNA is an excellent option for pre-med students who want to gain valuable work experience before applying to medical school. This job provides a unique opportunity to work directly with patients and better understand the healthcare system. In addition, many premed students become CNAs during their gap year to improve their med school application materials.

While working as a CNA, you may also have the opportunity to learn additional skills, such as becoming a phlebotomist or a technician. These skills can be valuable for your future career in medicine.

Overall, working as a CNA is a great way to get experience in the healthcare field and can be a fulfilling and rewarding job for anyone interested in helping others.

Medical Secretary

You may want to consider becoming a medical secretary. It’s estimated that employment in this field will grow by 10% from 2019 to 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This job allows you to gain practical experience in a medical environment. Medical secretaries work alongside doctors and nurses to manage patient records, schedule appointments, and communicate with insurance companies. This job can also be a good option if you plan to take a gap year.

Suppose you’re looking for a part-time job while in medical school; working as a medical assistant may be a good choice. Medical secretaries work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices, and perform administrative and clinical tasks.

They may assist with procedures, take vital signs, and administer medications under the supervision of a physician or nurse. This job can also be a stepping stone to other healthcare professions, such as becoming a medical research assistant or pursuing further education to become a nurse or physician.

Clinical Research Associate

To gain experience and further your career, becoming a clinical research associate is one of the best jobs to consider. This role involves monitoring and coordinating clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies, which can provide a rewarding experience. This job is especially beneficial if you’re taking a gap year or looking to supplement your medical school application with field experience.

As a clinical research associate, you’ll work closely with medical professionals and study participants to ensure that clinical trials run smoothly and effectively. You’ll collect and analyze data, monitor patient safety, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. This job provides valuable experience and helps you develop communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.

Overall, working as a clinical research associate can be a great way to get experience in the medical field and prepare for a career in medicine. Whether taking a gap year before medical school or simply looking for hands-on medical experience, this job can provide a rewarding and valuable experience that will help you in your future endeavors.

Home Health Aide

The role of a home health aide, providing care for patients in their own homes, can be a fulfilling experience. As a home health aide, you’d assist patients with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. You’d also be trained in basic medical procedures, such as taking vital signs and administering medication.

This job allows you to develop your knowledge and skills while providing direct care to those in need. Working as a home health aide can also be a great way to obtain experience and stand out on your application when getting into medical school.

This job provides the opportunity to work closely with patients and their families, developing important communication and interpersonal skills. Additionally, you’ll be exposed to various medical conditions and situations, allowing you to expand your knowledge and understanding of healthcare.

Working as a home health aide can be a valuable option if you’re considering taking a gap year. This job allows for flexibility in scheduling, making it easier to balance work and other commitments. It also allows earning a competitive wage while gaining valuable experience.

As you navigate your path toward becoming a licensed physician, working as a home health aide can provide a solid foundation of medical knowledge and practical experience.

Phlebotomist

You might consider becoming a phlebotomist if you want a medical experience during your gap year. This job involves medical procedures such as drawing blood from patients for medical testing and reports.

As a phlebotomist, you’ll need basic medical knowledge and the ability to use medical equipment such as needles, syringes, and blood collection tubes. Phlebotomy can be a great job because it provides practical experience with medical procedures. You’ll learn how to properly administer tests, handle blood samples, and interact with patients. This experience will be valuable when starting medical school and working with patients.

To become a phlebotomist, you must complete a certification program, which typically takes a few months. This program will teach you the skills you need to be a certified medical assistant and work in various healthcare settings. Once certified, you can apply for phlebotomy jobs and gain valuable experience while preparing for medical school.

Frequently Asked Questions

So, you want to know more about the job opportunities available. Choosing the right job can be crucial in building a solid application and gaining valuable experience.

From medical assistant to research assistant, there are various options to consider when deciding on the best job for you. Let’s dive into what it means to be a premed student, how to choose the right position, and find available jobs.

What Is a Premed Student?

Are you considering becoming a premed student and wondering what that entails? A premed student is someone who is preparing to apply to medical school in the future.

As such, they must excel academically, perform well on standardized tests, and gain relevant experience to make themselves competitive medical school applicants. One way to do this is by choosing the best premed jobs for medical students, whether it’s through hospital jobs, research assistant jobs, or volunteer work.

There are also options for part-time jobs, such as tutoring or writing, which can help supplement income while still allowing for flexibility in scheduling.

Suppose you’re considering a gap year before entering medical school. In that case, it’s essential to choose the best premed gap year jobs and activities that will help you spend your time productively and develop skills that will be valuable in medical school and as a physician.

With so many options available, choosing the path that best fits your interests and goals in medical school is essential.

How To Choose The Right Premed Job?

To choose the right premed job, consider your interests and goals, job setting, and patient population, and build solid relationships for strong letters of recommendation.

Many jobs available for medical students can help you gain medical knowledge and experience. For example, you can become a medical assistant by completing an accredited postsecondary medical assistant program. Medical assistants perform medical exams and respond to patient needs under the supervision of a physician. This job allows you to learn medical terminology and work in various medical settings. Other options include becoming an EMT, medical scribe, CNA, or conducting research as a research assistant. These jobs can provide extra money in medical school and help you gain valuable experience in the medical field.

It’s essential to consider your interests and goals. Becoming an EMT may be a good fit if you’re interested in emergency medicine. If you’re interested in research, working as a research assistant can help you gain valuable research experience. It’s also important to consider the job setting and patient population, as this can affect the knowledge you gain.

Finally, building solid relationships with supervisors and colleagues can help you receive strong letters of recommendation for medical school. Choosing the right job can be valuable in your journey toward becoming a medical professional.

What Jobs Are Available to Premed Students?

While many medical job options are available to premed students, some of the most popular and valuable choices include becoming a certified medical assistant or EMT, working as a research assistant or medical scribe, or volunteering. These positions can provide experience in the medical field and help students better understand the healthcare industry.

For example, a certified medical assistant must complete an accredited program and pass the CMA Certification Exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants. On the other hand, to become an EMT, students must complete up to four months of training for EMT-B or significant field experience and at least 700 hours of training for EMT-P.

Taking on these roles provides valuable experience and increases the chances of getting into medical studies. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, having clinical experience is one of the most critical factors in the admissions process.

Additionally, volunteering or working in a medical setting can help premed students develop necessary skills such as compassion, communication, and flexibility. Ultimately, choosing a medical job or taking a gap year is personal and depends on individual circumstances. However, gaining experience in the medical field can be a valuable asset.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve just explored some of the best part-time jobs for medical students.

Hopefully, you’ve found one that suits your interests and goals. Whether you choose to work as a research assistant, volunteer, or certified nursing assistant, you can gain valuable experience and make a difference in the lives of others.

Remember, finding the right job takes time and effort. Don’t be afraid to explore different options and ask for help from mentors and career services.

Just like a surgeon with a steady hand, you can navigate the complex world of medical student jobs confidently and precisely. So, go out there and find the perfect job for you!