Health Professional Schools, including medical and dental schools, value applicants with substantive, direct-patient-care experience. Below are some examples of clinical roles. This is not an exhaustive list of opportunities, so make sure to do additional research!

Paid (requires certification): Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Medical Assistant (MA), Phlebotomist 

Note: If you plan on working in multiple states, make sure you research certification rules for each state to understand your options.

Paid (no certification required): Medical Scribe 

Unpaid: Hospital volunteer, hospice clinic volunteer

• Becoming a CNA in Illinois 
• CNA Approved Trainings (Illinois)
• EMT-Paramedic Licensure (Chicago) 
• Certified Medical Assistant Eligibility 
• Scribe America-Becoming a Medical Scribe  
• AAMC Clinical & Research Opportunities 
• The Summer Health Professions Education Program 
• SSOM’s ASPIRE Program
• AAMC Medical Pathways & Enrichment Opportunities
• Cap-Year  
• Local Area Hospitals: Many hospitals and hospice clinics list ways to get involved as a volunteer on their websites.