What do I do as a Patient Care Technician at MUSC?

I perform daily patient hygiene tasks, take vitals every 4 hours, transport patients to different areas, collect blood through venipuncture, and do EKGs and bladder scans.

What have I learned during this Career Opportunity?

This job at MUSC has taught me the importance of patient care and ensuring their overall happiness. Making patients comfortable and feel valued is not only a rewarding feeling, but it makes the job easier. We are here to ultimately make the patient healthier so they can go home, but knowing that they are having a positive experience during their stay is icing on the cake. I’ve also learned a great amount about how to properly take EKGs, tips and tricks while taking vital signs, and what patients do and don’t like during their stay.

Why do I want to be a Physician Assistant?

Growing up, everyone always asked me what I wanted to be when I grew older and it was always the same answer, “I don’t know, but something in medicine.” It originally started after I got my first cat for Christmas one year in elementary school and I instantly decided I wanted to be a veterinarian. Then I went on to high school and fell in love with one of my first Sports Medicine classes. But ultimately, after years of those classes, what made me make my final decision for what I wanted to do, was me suffering a series of concussions and experiencing first-hand what it was like to be a physician assistant. Throughout all my treatments, I saw a variety of specialists along the east coast and the ones that consistently stood out to me were the PA’s. For two years, I went to doctor after doctor, and no one could give me a diagnosis. After my concussions, I had an influx of symptoms that no doctor could find an answer to– with each appointment only ending in me being more frustrated. I had one doctor even tell me that I was making up my symptoms and that nothing was wrong with me. But this fueled me to figure it out myself. I researched the best offices in my area and booked the first appointment with a cardiologist physician assistant in Charlotte, NC. This PA was the only healthcare provider that genuinely acknowledged my symptoms and questioned me with, “Grace, you know your body better than anyone else, so what do you think is going on?” I came fully prepared for this question and had done hours upon hours of research at this point, so I knew exactly what I wanted to say. I brought out my notes and went through each of my symptoms and stated that I fit the criteria precisely for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. She followed through with what I felt was going on, and said “Ok, let’s perform a tilt table test and confirm your diagnosis or continue on the hunt.” The results came back, and it was confirmed. I was right. This one physician assistant made me feel so validated and actually listened to me, and I left that appointment with a diagnosis and a decided career path.

Why would I like to attend MUSC to start my PA journey?

MUSC has multiple benefits to both individual students and to the community as a whole. I love that MUSC offers opportunities to get involved in the Charleston community. One specific opportunity that stands out to me is being able to work in the free medical clinic, which would allow for ample possibilities for learning and practice. The dedicated areas for students and resources, such as simulation technology, stand out to me as a future student because they hold MUSC a step above any other programs. I personally connect with the ethical and professional behavior values that MUSC holds. I have been through situations myself where I have been mistreated by medical professionals, and I think it is a very important value to hold when it comes to someones life in your hands.