Whether you’re a pre-med student looking to boost your med school application or a recent graduate taking a gap year before medical school, starting a healthcare job is one of the best things you can do to gain first-hand experience in the industry. These technical jobs help you build your skills and confidence in a clinical setting while helping you decide what kind of doctor you want to become.
We surveyed Virginia doctors to learn what pre-med jobs in Virginia helped prepare them for their careers. Learn what to consider when looking for a job, 12 jobs for pre-med students, and how to make the most of your experience.
On Board Virginia’s job board has hundreds of pre-med student-eligible positions. Browse our listing pages to find a job that matches your goals.
The Key Takeaways:
•Hands-on experience matters. Pre-med jobs like PCTs, EMTs, and medical scribes provide invaluable insight into patient care and the healthcare system.
•Many entry-level healthcare jobs require only short-term training or certification programs. Complete training early in your academic career to secure practical pre-med jobs during school or a gap year.
•Make the most of Virginia’s credentialing programs like Fast Forward and G3 to reduce (or cover) education costs for job training.
What to Consider When Looking for a Pre-Med Job
Not all healthcare jobs are created equal. The ideal job for pre-med students should balance access to clinical settings, opportunities to work with professionals, and time management to balance school work.
Even if you’re taking a gap year before entering medical school, having the flexibility to work reasonably throughout your academic year is always appreciated.
Other factors to consider include:
•Career Center Resources – Take advantage of your university or med school’s career center resources to find entry-level healthcare jobs appropriate for your studies. Professors or department heads may also suggest opportunities within their network, such as pre-med internships or research opportunities, that align with your goals.
•Patient Exposure – Direct patient interaction is a key requirement for a pre-med job to qualify as clinical hours. Talking with patients also helps you build empathy and interpersonal skills in real-life situations. Use your pre-med job as an opportunity to develop bedside manners.
•Mentorship Opportunities – One of the best ways to learn on the job is to work with experienced medical or healthcare professionals. In addition to sharing first-hand insights into clinical settings, mentors can vouch for you via letters of recommendation or keep you in the loop on upcoming professional opportunities.
•Flexibility – Does the schedule fit your class load or gap year plans? Look for jobs that can accommodate your pre-med studies. Timing, pay, and on-the-job study time are just three variables to consider.
•Learning Environment – Teaching hospitals and academic medical centers (like UVA Health and VCU Health) regularly work with pre-med students. Check if your current university or medical school has a workforce pipeline with a local healthcare system. Senior care centers, private clinics, and clinical research sites are also excellent places to gain experience.
At the end of the day, you need a role that aligns with your long-term goals and gives you insight into the realities of medicine. Reflecting on your experiences can help you dive deeper into your motivations when crafting personal statements for medical school.
Best Jobs for Pre-Med Students
Most jobs for pre-med students require minimal experience, offering on-the-job training or short certification paths. Medical technician jobs feature prominently on our list because they help accrue clinical hours while providing learning opportunities from experienced healthcare workers.
TIP: Community College programs such as Fast Forward Virginia and G3 help pre-med students in Virginia pay for stackable certifications for in-demand healthcare jobs. Earn certifications early in your pre-med track to set yourself up for success!
1. Medical Scribe
•Average Salary in VA: $34,000–$38,000 per year
•Education Requirements: High school diploma; passing the Medical Scribe Certification Exam (MSCE) is optional. Some employers prefer pre-health coursework.
•Training Time: 2–6 weeks of company-provided training
Sometimes described as a personal assistant for physicians, medical scribes document physician-patient interactions in real time to input into electronic health record (EHR) systems. This behind-the-scenes role lets you observe clinical decision-making, learn medical terminology, and understand how different specialties approach care. Becoming a medical scribe is one of the most direct ways to shadow physicians and gain insight into a day in the life of a doctor.
2. Dialysis Technician
•Average Salary in VA: $42,000–47,000 per year
•Education Requirements: High school diploma; dialysis technician training program and certification
•Training Time: 6–12 months
Dialysis technicians assist in treating patients with kidney failure. They operate dialysis machines and monitor patients during treatments. This job offers hands-on patient care and valuable exposure to chronic illness management, which is essential for future physicians interested in internal medicine or nephrology.
Recently, dialysis technician jobs have become popular with pre-med students because they offer a high-quality clinical experience. Regular hours make time management easier for students or graduates on a gap year.
3. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
•Average Salary in VA: $33,000–$37,000 per year
•Education Requirements: State-approved CNA program and certification.
•Training Time: 4–12 weeks
CNAs provide basic care such as bathing, feeding, and checking vital signs. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, and rehab facilities—making it a great way to understand long-term and acute care. The hands-on patient experience can also deepen your empathy and communication skills. The Mary Marshall Scholarship (CNA) supplies up to $1,000 for students enrolled in or graduated from an approved CNA program.
4. Patient Care Technician (PCT)
•Average Salary in VA: $36,000–$40,000 per year
•Education Requirements: CNA certification and additional PCT training.
•Training Time: 12–20 weeks
PCTs assist with patient mobility, wound care, EKGs, and phlebotomy. It’s a step up from CNA work and offers broader clinical exposure. Pre-med students gain confidence working closely with both nurses and physicians, particularly in hospital settings. These roles also open career pathways in senior living centers, expanding your opportunities.
5. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
•Average Salary in VA: $35,000–$41,000 per year
•Education Requirements: EMT-Basic certification
•Training Time: 4–6 months
EMTs respond to 911 calls and provide critical pre-hospital care. The fast-paced environment teaches you to stay calm under pressure. EMT work is highly respected in med school applications and is ideal if you’re taking a gap year and want a challenging, high-impact role.
6. Clinical Research Coordinator (Entry Level)
•Average Salary in VA: $49,000–$55,000 per year
•Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree (science preferred)
•Training Time: On-the-job training or certifications (optional: ACRP/SoCRA)
Research coordinators manage clinical trials and collect patient data. It’s an excellent option for pre-med gap year graduates if you’re interested in academic medicine or medical innovation. You’ll gain research experience, work with study participants, and often collaborate with doctors and PhDs. Learn more about collaboration opportunities between academic institutions and clinical research organizations at VCCRN, Virginia’s largest clinical research network.
Pre-med students without a bachelor’s degree may also apply to clinical trial assistant roles, which only require a high school diploma to get started. On-site training will help you gain the technical and patient experience necessary.
7. Medical Office Assistant
•Average Salary in VA: $35,000–$39,000 per year
•Education Requirements: High school diploma; medical office training preferred
•Training Time: 6 weeks to 6 months (depending on optional certificate programs)
This administrative healthcare role involves scheduling, billing, and patient communication. While it doesn’t offer hands-on clinical care, it teaches the business side of medicine and hones your communication and professionalism. Similar titles to apply for include (certified) medical administrative assistant (CMAA), medical secretary, or medical office administrator.
8. Phlebotomist
•Average Salary in VA: $36,000–$40,000 per year
•Education Requirements: Completion of a phlebotomy program and certification
•Training Time: 1–3 months
Phlebotomists collect blood samples in hospitals, labs, and clinics. You’ll gain valuable skills, learn infection control, and interact with a wide range of patients. Drawing blood also builds technical confidence that will serve you well in medical school. Depending on your pre-med track, some universities offer phlebotomy certification programs if you’ve taken the right prerequisites. Check your college to see if you qualify.
9. Mental Health Technician (MHT) / Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT)
•Average Salary in VA: $36,000–$42,000 per year
•Education Requirements: High school diploma; RBT certification required for some roles
•Training Time: 1–2 months
MHTs and BHTs work in psychiatric hospitals or behavioral therapy clinics, assisting patients who have mental health or developmental needs. Not only is becoming an MHT or BHT a great way to work toward a future psychiatrist career, but this pre-med job helps you build your empathy while observing patient psychology and therapeutic interventions.
Behavioral and mental health roles are in high demand across Virginia. Consider joining the workforce to alleviate the behavioral health shortage.
10. Anesthesia Technician
•Average Salary in VA: $45,000–$55,000 per year
•Education Requirements: High school diploma; on-the-job training or 1-year certificate program
•Training Time: 6–12 months
Anesthesia techs support anesthesiologists by preparing equipment, monitoring supplies, and assisting during procedures. This job offers excellent exposure to the operating room and helps you build strong procedural and technical knowledge. Anesthesiology careers are also in critical need, which means more opportunities in Virginia hospitals.
11. Pharmacy Technician
•Average Salary in VA: $37,000–$41,000 per year
•Education Requirements: High school diploma and pharmacy tech certification (CPhT)
•Training Time: 4–6 months
Pharmacy techs fill prescriptions, manage inventory, and educate patients. It’s a solid introduction to pharmacology, which will be critical in medical school. You’ll also build strong attention to detail and gain exposure to medication safety protocols. Flexible and predictable scheduling options help with time management when working around courseloads.
12. EKG Technician
•Average Salary in VA: $49,000–50,000 per year
•Education Requirements: High school diploma; completion of an accredited training program and CET certification preferred for some roles
•Training Time: 3–6 months
An EKG technician conducts electrocardiograms (EKGs) to support diagnostic imaging. Radiologic roles like this help pre-med students gain a deep understanding of anatomy and diagnostic processes. Working alongside radiologists gives you a unique look into how imaging supports clinical decision-making, making this a valuable experience for aspiring doctors.
How to Make the Most of Your Pre-Med Job
Regardless of your position, you only get out what you put in. Consider your pre-med job a learning experience that allows you to peek into the healthcare world and learn from people who’ve been working for years. It’s a great way to grow your professionalism in a healthcare setting. Follow these tips to maximize your time in your role.
•Document & Reflect on Your Experience – Track your clinical hours and patient interactions for future med school applications. Reflect on your experiences regularly to identify what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown.
•Build Your Professional Network – This is your chance to talk to doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff to build mentorship relationships. The more people enjoy working with you, the more likely they are to vouch for you.
•Ask for Letters of Recommendation – Did you build a strong rapport? Ask for letters of recommendation from supervisors or doctors who can speak to your growth. These are excellent for medical school or as supplements to your healthcare resume.
•Step Out of Your Comfort Zone – Learning doesn’t stop at your role description. Say yes to opportunities as they arise, and take the initiative to observe procedures or ask questions when appropriate.
•Manage Your Time – Balance your time wisely if also taking classes. Consider jobs with flexible hours.
Finding the Right Job for Pre-Med Students With On Board Virginia
Getting a pre-med job is one of the smartest moves you can make on your journey to medical school. Whether you’re shadowing physicians as a scribe, providing hands-on care as a CNA, or conducting research in a clinical trial, each role offers a unique way to learn, grow, and prepare. Look for opportunities at Virginia’s top hospitals and clinics, and choose a role that aligns with your goals and schedule.
Related: Looking to join healthcare out of high school? Explore our resources to see how you can jumpstart your career after graduation!
