There are many reasons you might be looking for work in the medical field before you begin residency. Perhaps you are relocating before applying for residency. Maybe you did not Match in the most recent cycle. Whatever the reason, there are many job options for medical school graduates who hold ECFMG Certification. Read below for some great ideas for your pre-residency job search.

**Please Note: Match A Resident is not affiliated with nor endorses any of the companies or organizations highlighted or linked below.**

Pharmaceutical Industry

Physicians without a license or board certification can often find jobs at pharmaceutical companies. The positions range from involvement in clinical trials to administration.

Research

Although securing a full-time research position can be difficult, it is not impossible. Research positions typically require experience and completion of a postdoctoral-training program. Some programs offer a stipend during training periods. Most do not require residency. Visit CCRTS (Corporate Clinical Research Training Solution) for more information.

Melt Method Pain Management

Helping people manage pain through non-invasive techniques, the Melt Method is based on teaching people how to rehydrate their connective tissue, rebalance their nervous systems, and restore muscular timing. You can learn how to become a certified Melt Method instructor here.

Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) and Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA)

A great way to stay directly involved in patient care is working in the operating room on the surgical team. You can find out more about the requirements to become a CST here, and visit The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting for information about CSFA training and certification.

Genetics Counselor

Another position that involves patient contact is genetic counseling. Many larger medical systems and academic hospitals employ genetics counselors. Find out what’s involved in becoming certified from the American Board of Genetic Counseling, Inc.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

EMTs provide hands-on care to patients in the field and transportation for critical and emergent patients who have requested emergency medical services. The position requires the knowledge base and skills to stabilize and safely transport patients, which can range from non-emergent cases to life-threatening emergencies. Learn more from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

Electrodiagnostic Medicine Technician

If you’re interested in working in a lab environment, consider becoming an electrodiagnostic medicine technician. According to the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine, this position involves “[u]sing specialized equipment,” and  “neurodiagnostic technologists identify normal and abnormal electrical activity in the central nervous, autonomic and peripheral nervous systems.” Read here for more information about the field, and you can read about eligibility requirements here.

Ultrasound Technician 

Ultrasound technicians carefully manipulate sound-producing and receiving transducers, using waves above the frequency of human hearing to locate and produce stunningly realistic images of the internal structures of the human body. These positions require training and certification, which you can read about here.

Medical Scribe

A great way to continue gaining clinical knowledge is through observing physicians as a medical scribe. Scribes chart patient encounters in real time, often in hospital environments. To learn more about becoming a Medical Scribe, visit ScribeAmerica.

We hope this article has provided some insight into your pre-residency job search! If you’re thinking about applying to the upcoming Match cycle, consider signing up with Match A Resident to access Customized Residency Program Lists that are compatible with your unique applicant criteria! Visit us at Match A Resident to learn more!