Working For And Shadowing Parent

[salamander343]

My mom is a veterinarian and I work for her at her clinic part-time. There's a lot of flexibility involved in my hours since I'm mostly just helping out with extra things whenever one of her normal part-time student employees is unable to make a shift and I am available. My duties include acting as a receptionist (answering calls and checking out patients), taking care of the animals, providing an extra pair of hands with some examinations, and attending emergencies with my mom if she thinks she will need some assistance. I also shadow my mom when she is doing particularly interesting surgeries.

 

My involvement is approximately 250 hours over 8 months.

 

So, I have a few questions about how this should translate to my application:

 

1. Is it okay for me to put my mom as a verifier for this activity? (This is the only activity on my application that would have a relative as a verifier, if that makes a difference.)

 

2. Should I separate working at the clinic and shadowing, or include it in one entry since they are extremely related (i.e. through the same person and at the same clinic)?

 

I feel like I should include both things as one OMSAS entry and use my mom as a verifier, but I'm not sure. I've heard using relatives as verifiers is frowned upon, but she has a much better idea of my responsibilities at the clinic than anyone else since I kind of just do whatever she thinks is necessary. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

[HappyAndHopeful]

1. Is there anyone else you can use as a verifier? It doesn't have to be someone you worked directly with/under, but just someone who is knowledgeable about what you did there and how much time you've put in (i.e., someone else who works at the clinic). Generally, it's inadvisable to list a family member as a verifier unless you absolutely have to.

 

2. I would lean towards listing it as two separate entries since the work is paid and the shadowing is not employment, but it's up to you. You can always see how much room you have on your ABS and whether you feel you can explain both roles in the description box.

 

I hope that helps!

[salamander343]

1. Is there anyone else you can use as a verifier? It doesn't have to be someone you worked directly with/under, but just someone who is knowledgeable about what you did there and how much time you've put in (i.e., someone else who works at the clinic). Generally, it's inadvisable to list a family member as a verifier unless you absolutely have to.

 

2. I would lean towards listing it as two separate entries since the work is paid and the shadowing is not employment, but it's up to you. You can always see how much room you have on your ABS and whether you feel you can explain both roles in the description box.

 

I hope that helps!

1. Yes, there are employees at the clinic that can verify that I work there. I was just wondering if it would be better to have my mom do it since she has more detailed information about my role. It seems like the cons of having a relative as a verifier outweigh the pros of having slightly more detail in the description of what I did, which is fair!

 

2. Great, thanks for the advice!

[HappyAndHopeful]

1. Yes, there are employees at the clinic that can verify that I work there. I was just wondering if it would be better to have my mom do it since she has more detailed information about my role. It seems like the cons of having a relative as a verifier outweigh the pros of having slightly more detail in the description of what I did, which is fair!

 

2. Great, thanks for the advice!

As long as they can confirm that you completed the activity as you described it in your sketch, using one of the employees should work. No problem, and good luck!

[Pippa756]

For sure, it would be a shame for you not to use this experience.