Internship
I had the opportunity to intern at Prisma Health Orthopedics in Columbia, SC. I completed 300 hours between January and May of 2022.
On a daily basis, my duties were to bring patients to their exam room, take their vitals, and update their medical chart under supervision. I also had the opportunity to observe the doctor and physician assistant while they interacted with patients. I worked alongside two different teams, which gave me the chance to shadow two different PA’s and two different doctors, allowing me to see the differences between the two. This opportunity made me realize the physician assistant profession would be the best for me.
The physician assistants that I worked with took the time to discuss why they chose the route they did, and shared with me how it differs from the MD route. I was able to see the differences in patient load, alongside the different approaches each doctor/PA used within their patient care.
Additional Experience Hours
Lexington EMT Ride Along
I completed two, 12 hour ride-along shifts with Lexington EMS from June 28th, 2022 to June 30th, 2022. I was able to learn how to take blood glucose measurements and how to connect an EKG monitor to a patient. I experienced a variety of calls, ranging from from car crashes to overdoses; and it opened my eyes to what you may see in the daily life of the medical field.
University of South Carolina Organic Chemistry Lab Assistant
From January to May of 2022, I was an Organic Chemistry lab assistant. In this position, I helped the students conduct experiments and explained topics that went alongside the weeks lab. I ensured proper safety measures were being followed and that students were professionally conducting the lab. The lab was 3 hours, once every week.
Pediatric Surgical Associates
On September 8th, 2021, I shadowed a Pediatric surgeon in Charlotte, NC. I shadowed the doctor while they completed daily patient appointments, and watched a few minor procedures be done.
Octapharma Plasma
At Octapharma Plasma, I worked as a Physician Substitute from January 2023 to June 2023. I was trained in phlebotomy and performed physical evaluations on donors. I responded to donor reactions and treated them accordingly. I worked here full-time, averaging 40 hours a week.