Some pre-med students seek jobs to pay off their debt, build a competitive medical school application, gain valuable experience, or impress admissions committees. Many don’t get support from their parents anymore, so they’re looking for ways to support their medical studies.
Whatever your reasons, if you’re a pre-med student looking for work, you’ve come to the right place.
Read on for an overview of the best jobs for pre-med students. A detailed list of job descriptions, salaries, and requirements is included to help you choose the best career path.
Medical Scribe
In private practices, clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities, medical scribes assist with recording patient information during and after medical appointments.
The job of a medical scribe involves taking detailed notes during appointments, so the doctor in charge can focus directly on the patient. The scribe usually has extensive knowledge of medical terminology.
This role involves entering patient information into a digital system, notifying the doctor and patient when their records are available online, and assisting the doctor with other administrative duties.
Based on the national average, a medical scribe’s salary is USD$14.05 per hour.
Becoming a certified medical scribe is easy. This might be one of the best jobs for pre-med students. All you need is a high school diploma and enrollment in a college degree program as the minimum educational qualifications.
Medical Receptionist
A medical receptionist manages the front desk in hospitals, clinics, private offices, and other healthcare facilities. Professionals in this position welcome and check in patients, take phone calls, respond to inquiries and concerns from patients, conduct appointment transactions, and set up follow-up appointments for patients.
The clerical tasks usually carried out by medical receptionists include:
- Processing patient data
- Routing calls to the proper departments within the healthcare institution
- Transcribing doctor notes
- Corresponding with insurance companies
Based on the national average, a medical receptionist’s salary is USD$15.11 per hour. Candidates typically must have a high school diploma to be qualified to work as medical receptionists. You may aspire to become a Certified Medical Receptionist to boost your credentials.
Research Assistant
If you’re looking for ideas on jobs for pre-med students, you might want to consider this one.
Research assistants help professors and researchers at colleges and universities research assigned topics. A pre-med student may assist a medical school or school of science professor with administrative or clerical tasks. Such tasks include the following:
- Taking phone calls and noting messages
- Responding to emails
- Analyzing samples and making comprehensive notes
- Reviewing scientific publications, medical records, or cases
- Any other task that a professor may require to accomplish their medical research
Based on the national average, a research assistant’s salary is USD$17.28 per hour. Research assistants are usually college or university students pursuing a degree program.
Emergency Medical Technician
An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is a healthcare professional who provides out-of-hospital care for acute illnesses and injuries. EMTs respond to emergencies and evaluate patients’ health.
Furthermore, they provide necessary care, including immobilizing the patient in case of suspected spinal injury, administering oxygen, and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
EMTs can work in hospitals, fire departments, and other emergency response organizations. They may also operate ambulances, helicopters, and other emergency vehicles.
Based on the national average, an emergency medical technician’s salary is USD$19.39 per hour. EMT candidates must complete a CPR course and a certification program.
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians assist licensed pharmacists in dispensing prescription medications to patients under the supervision of pharmacists. They help in drug preparation and distribution, record keeping, and interaction with medical professionals.
Additionally, they do administrative tasks like purchasing and storing supplies, taking payments, and responding to consumer concerns.
Based on the national average, a pharmacy technician’s salary is USD$18.40 per hour. The typical requirement for the position is a high school diploma, but some employers only hire those with a certification from an accredited program.
Certified Nursing Assistant
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) provides primary healthcare services to patients in nursing homes, hospitals, and home healthcare agencies. This is one of the jobs for pre-med students where the responsibilities include bathing, dressing, and feeding patients. They also monitor their vital signs.
In most cases, CNAs are supervised by a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse.
Based on the national average, a certified nursing assistant’s salary is USD$19.80 per hour. To become a CNA, you must complete a state-approved training program and pass a certification exam.
In Conclusion
If you’re a pre-med student, many jobs can help increase your medical knowledge and prepare you for medical school financially and mentally.
Whether you want to work directly with patients or in a laboratory, there’s a job that can help you achieve your goals. Consider your interests and skills, and find a position to help you grow and succeed as a pre-med student.