Pre-Professional Advising

CPP Student Clubs and Healthcare Experience

Disclaimer: W e do not endorse any non-CPP service providers/organizations and hence assume no liability or responsibility for any potential risks or harms arising out of participation in the listed non-CPP program, event or activity.  Please use the information at your own discretion.

 

CPP Pre-professional Student Clubs

 

Becoming a Medical Assistant

Working part-time or full-time (during gap years) as a Medical Assistant is a great way to gain clinical experience and earn a wage!

Becoming a Medical Scribe

Working part-time or full-time (during gap years) as a Medical scribe is another great way to gain clinical experience and earn a wage! Here is an interview piece published on AAMC on "What It's Like to Be a Medical Scribe"

  •  Unlike Medical Assistant, Medical Scibe only deals with documentation (documenting patient visits) and has no to minimum direct interactions with patients. 
  • Medical Scribe does not require certification and training can be and is often done on the job.

Becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic

Working as EMT  or Paramedic in the field of emergency medical services (EMS) is another great way to gain clinical experience. EMTs and paramedics assess injuries and illnesses, provide emergency medical care, and may transport patients to medical facilities. They  typically complete a postsecondary educational program. All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed in the state in which they work; requirements vary by state. Overall employment of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Paramedics are required to complete more extensive training and qualified to perform more advanced procedures than EMT. EMT students complete a course that is a minimum of 170 hours in length, whereas Paramedic students complete a program between 1,200 to 1,800 hours. To learn more about the difference bewteen EMT and Paramedics, visit UCLA Center for Prehospital Care. 

How do I become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)? There is no online process at CEMSA for applying for an EMT certification. For detailed steps to become an EMT, please contact the local EMS agency for the county where you wish to hold your certification.

For detailed information on EMT certification and renewal in California, please visit the California Emergency medical Services Authority (CEMSA) EMT website. Below is an excerpt on how to become an EMT in CA:

To become an EMT in the State of California, you must:

  1. Successfully complete an approved EMT training program. Here is a list of of approved training programs. 
  2. After completing your training, you must pass the National Registry (NREMT) cognitive and psychomotor examinations. Please visit NREMT’s Key Initiatives page to learn more on any updates to ALS Psychomotor examination.
  3. Apply for certification at a local EMS agency. The certifying agency will inform you of additional requirements such as paying a fee and undergoing a background check using their agency form. It is a good idea to call ahead and find out what additional requirements exist.

How do I become a Paramedic? 

For detailed information on Paramedics certification and renewal in California, please visit the California Emergency medical Services Authority (CEMSA) Paramedic website and Visit the National registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for information on Paramedic Full Education Program Pathway (https://www.nremt.org/Document/Paramedic-Full-Education-Program-Pathway) .

  1. You must hold a current National Registry certification or state license at the EMT level, or higher.
  2. Successfully complete an approved Paramedic training program. Here is a list of of approved training programs in California (search for Paramedic). Candidates must have completed the course within the past two years and the course Program Director must verify successful course completion on the National Registry website.
  3. After completing your training, you must pass the National Registry Paramedic cognitive and psychomotor exams (NREMT exams). You can find information on th exam application process at https://www.nremt.org/Document/Paramedic-Full-Education-Program-Pathway
  4. After passing the NREMT exams you can now apply for a California Paramedic licensure. First determine your application type (In-State, Out-of-State, or Challenge) and decide whether to submit an online application or a paper application.Once your completed application, supporting documents, and fee are submitted, a licensor will review your application to determine license approval. For more information please visit the CEMSA Paramedic Licensure and Testing FAQs (https://emsa.ca.gov/paramedic-licensure-and-testing-faqs/). 

 

Local Healthcare Volunteer Opportunities

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center

Volunteer Department
1798 North Garey Avenue
Pomona, CA 91767
(909) 865-9669

Citrus Valley Health Partners

Citrus Valley Health/Hospice
820 North Phillips Avenue
West Covina
Volunteer Services Manager: Janene House
626/859-2266 ext. 10348

Citrus Valley Medical Center - Queen of the Valley Campus
1115 South Sunset Avenue
West Covina, CA 91790
Volunteer Services Director: Margaret Pohl
626/962-4011 ext. 22412

Citrus Valley Medical Center - Inter-Community Campus
210 West San Bernardino Road
Covina, CA 91723
Volunteer Services Director
Aliede Klein: 626/331-7331 ext. 16237

Foothill Presbyterian Hospital
250 South Grand Avenue
Glendora, CA 91741
Phone: 626/963-8411

Queen of the Valley Hospital
1135 S Sunset Ave
West Covina, CA 91790
Phone: (626) 962-4011