Medical Field

   Volunteering at San Jose has allowed me to recognize that a career in the medical field is what I want to do in my life. Seeing how the doctors, physician assistants, nurses, and medical assistants interact with the patients shows me that I want to be able to help someone each and everyday. The idea of being able to impact so many people is fulfilling for me.
   I had originally wanted to attempt a career in the bioinformatics field but I am now seeing that the route to physician assistant school is more for me. Although research is very interesting and challenging, to be challenged in the clinic when caring for patients is more appealing to me.
  I have also observed how the staff at San Jose works as a team. One of my strengths is that I work well in a team and as a leader. I want to be able to work in a clinic along side other PAs, doctors, MAs, etc. as a team.
   Although I have made the decision to pursue PA school, I do not regret choosing bioinformatics as and undergraduate degree. I am now more aware of my strengths and weaknesses in science. I will continue to read about medical research and bioinformatics as a hobby.

Hardship

   As I have continued to volunteer at San Jose, I have began to notice that I am more concerned for the well-being of others. I have always cared for people, sometimes too much, but I have noticed myself wanting to do more. When I graduate in December, I want to volunteer more of my time for people that are in need. I would love to do something with a food bank or even at another under served clinic.
   The most important thing is that I have gained a better outlook on life from volunteering at the clinic. I can now appreciate more of what I have in my life. I have begun to appreciate my health and my family more. Patients come into the clinic that are very ill and do not have all the resources available to them that I would if I was ill. Patients also come in that have broken families or family members that they have never known. It is hard for me to swallow this as I see that they are in pain. This has brought to want to do more and to appreciate my life. However, I also admire them because despite the hardships they are going through, they are continuing to live their lives each and every day. I hope that if I ever have to go through something as tough as they are that I can be just as strong.

Lab

   For the past couple of weeks I have had the opportunity to continue working in the lab. Mostly, I help the lab tech organize her files and input records into the computer database. However, when I am in the lab I am also able to read the instructions for various lab techniques posted on the walls. It is interesting and beneficial because they are instructions like how to draw blood from a patient or perform specimen testing. Also, I am able to observe the lab tech as draws blood from the patients.
   I believe that by working in the lab with the lab tech is both beneficial for her and for me because I am able to learn standard medical techniques and I am helping her with her files and also with her computer schools. I have helped her learn shortcuts when inputing files and how to create excel spreadsheets. I can tell that she is very thankful for my help and I am glad to help her whenever she needs it.
   Although I would like to have a bit more patient interaction, I think this is a great opportunity for me.