Clinical Experience

Clinical experience refers to any employment or volunteer experience in a medical setting. Clinical experience offers an opportunity to explore medical careers first-hand and provide assistance to patients and their families. The clinical experience required will be dependent on your preferred healthcare track. For example, most physician assistant programs require paid experience working directly with patients. It's important to check with the professional schools you are considering and to talk with a pre-health advisor to learn more. 

Volunteer Opportunities 

As a volunteer in a clinical setting, you may greet patient and families, restock supplies, deliver meals to patients, provide comfort and support, and assist staff with various errands. Clinical volunteers are most often found in:

• Hospitals
  • Sparrow and McLaren Hospital volunteer applications can be completed through the MSU Center for Community Engaged Learning website.
• Hospice 
• Free Clinics
  • Care Free Medical in Lansing offers dental, medical, and optometry volunteer opportunities.
• American Red Cross
• Vaccination Clinics
• Rehabilitation and Outpatient Clinics
• Natural and Public Health Emergency Volunteers

Paid Opportunities 

Most paid positions in healthcare will require training and/or certification. Explore the options below and check with community colleges and technical schools to obtain the necessary training:

• Medical scribe
• Certified Nurse Aide/Assistant 
• Emergency Medical Technician 
• Pharmacy Technician
• Physical Therapy Aide 
• Phlebotomist 
• Dental Assistant 
• Medical Assistant 

Remember to track your clinical experiences using the Pre-Health Co-Curricular Tracker.