Part-time job studying medicine

Part-time jobs are a good way to gain practical experience and be financially independent while studying medicine. Medical students can find jobs as tutors, in nursing, research or in surgeries. This allows you to finance your studies and gain valuable practical experience during your training.

The top 10 part-time jobs while studying medicine 

Studying medicine is demanding, but it also offers unique part-time job opportunities for students. Whether as an introduction to clinical practice or to finance their studies - there are a variety of jobs for medical students that combine the transfer of specialised knowledge and practical activities. From the classic mini-job to working as a student assistant in the operating theatre on-call service. We now present the ten best part-time jobs that are compatible with your studies and offer interesting insights into everyday medical life.

1) Holding the hook in the operating theatre

Assisting in the operating theatre as a medical student not only earns you money, but also gives you practical insights directly on site. This part-time job as an operating theatre assistant allows students to be present during surgical procedures. You hold the surgical hooks according to the operating doctor's instructions, ensuring that the operation runs smoothly.

While assisting with operations, you will familiarise yourself with the procedures in the operating theatre and support the medical staff with reliable sterile work beyond holding the hook. The working hours partly correspond to the regular operating theatre times of the clinic, but can also be outside of these if you are on call, which is then reflected in a correspondingly higher salary.

2) Teaching and supporting students in tutorials

Tutoring is an ideal part-time job for medical students to teach and learn. As a tutor, you support your fellow students by imparting knowledge in complex medical subjects. 

This work not only strengthens your own specialist knowledge, but also promotes pedagogical skills. Tutors (m/f/d) can often combine flexible working hours with their studies and semester breaks. This part-time job is a good choice, especially if you are thinking about possibly working in teaching yourself later on.

3) Work in the care sector during your studies

Working as a nursing assistant alongside their studies provides medical students with a foundation for clinical practice. The job suits medical students well, as they already have basic knowledge and gain an insight into everyday clinical practice while working. In times of a nursing shortage, most clinics are very happy to have any auxiliary staff and often make it possible for students to work at suitable times without shift work. If no suitable vacancies are advertised, it helps to ask the clinics directly whether they are interested in a student assistant. There is a good chance that your help will be in demand.

4) Seat guard

Working as a sitting guard is a fairly simple part-time job, which is why even students (m/f/d) in their first semester can do it. The only important thing is that you Nursing internship you have already completed.

Sitting watches are usually only responsible for one or two patients (m/f/d) who currently require special supervision. This may be the case, for example, after an operation or for people with dementia who are currently less mobile and could fall when trying to get up. During your time, you will sit at the patient's bedside and, depending on their condition, you can talk to them or do your own things.

Tip: Particularly at night, when patients are usually asleep and the lights should be dimmed, it is advisable for students to take something to listen to with them when they are on sitting watch. This can, of course, be podcasts or music, but many students also record the current learning material as an audio file beforehand and use this ideal opportunity to repeat it.

5) Research assistant

As a research assistant in the field of medicine, medical students work closely with research groups. Your tasks may include preparing or conducting experiments and collating study data. You are often part of a research group and can gain a comprehensive insight into medical research.

The understanding of scientific principles is promoted and the Hiwis acquire many practical skills during their work, which can be very useful later in their careers as doctors or scientists (m/f/d). Flexible working hours support compatibility with the semester schedule.

6) Assistant in the preparation course

As an assistant in the anatomical preparation course, you will support the course participants as a student assistant in gaining a practical understanding of human anatomy. You should have already completed the course yourself and be able to provide proof that you have passed the tests.

You prepare the preparations and ensure order and hygiene in the room before and after the course. During the course, you will answer students' questions and offer your help if required. As the job is of course linked to the timetable, it may overlap with your own courses. You should therefore check in advance whether it is at all possible for you to accept the job offer in question.

7) Temporary help in a doctor's surgery

As a medical student, a temporary job in a doctor's surgery offers you the chance to gain patient-related medical experience. From assisting with vaccinations and taking blood samples to helping with patient-related administration.

In such a job as a student assistant, you work directly in the day-to-day practice, can apply existing knowledge and acquire further skills for your later work as a doctor. Depending on the location, such jobs are sometimes advertised on the university notice board, but it often helps to simply ask directly at the practice.

8) Phlebotimist in a clinic

As a phlebotomist, you earn your money by taking blood samples from patients in the clinic. This task is often outsourced to a student assistant who is only responsible for this task in order to relieve the nursing staff and doctors. 

Before you start working as a phlebotomist, you will receive extensive training or familiarisation so that you can carry out blood samples safely. It is particularly worth looking for this type of position if you are looking for relatively short working hours that are compatible with your medical studies.

9) Supervision in the library

A frequently chosen part-time job outside the clinical environment is working as a library supervisor. You ensure that the library is quiet and tidy, laying the foundations for undisturbed learning for all those present. The setting also provides excellent conditions for you to devote yourself to your own studies, because with the exception of a few unforeseen interruptions and some tidying up, you have plenty of time to devote yourself to the books.

10) Night shifts

Many hospitals are specifically looking for students from the higher semesters to support them during night shifts. This version of student work earns good money thanks to the night allowances, but can also be stressful if you have to be fit to study again the next day. With good time management, however, night duty is a promising opportunity for many medical students to pursue gainful employment alongside their studies.

If you are interested in a night shift job at a particular clinic, it may be advisable to apply there in advance. Clinical traineeship which you will need for your studies anyway.