What is a medical scribe?
A medical scribe is someone who helps doctors by writing down everything about a patient’s visit as it happens. Their job lets the doctor pay full attention to the patient without having to worry about writing things down. They help doctors manage their work better, which means patients get better care and doctors can see more people in a day.
Duties and responsibilities
The main job of a medical scribe is to write down everything important during a patient’s visit, like:
- What the patient says about their health
- What the doctor finds out from examining the patient
- Any tests the doctor orders
- What the doctor decides about treating the patient
Scribes also help keep patient records up-to-date, schedule tests, and handle paperwork related to patient care. They make sure everything runs smoothly so the doctor can focus on the patient.
Work environment
Medical scribes usually work in places where healthcare is given, like hospitals, clinics, or doctor’s offices. These places are busy and need you to be on your toes, making it a great job for people who like a fast-paced environment.
Typical work hours
Medical scribes work different hours depending on where they work, like during the day, evenings, weekends, or even overnight at hospitals that are open all the time. Their schedules can be pretty flexible, which is great for students or people studying for a career in healthcare.
How to become a medical scribe
Becoming a medical scribe is a great way to start your healthcare career. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what you need to do to get into this exciting and fast-paced job:
Step 1: Finish high school
First, you need to graduate from high school or get a GED. You’ll learn basics like English, science, and computer skills, which are all important for this job.
Step 2: Consider a college degree
You don’t always need a college degree to be a medical scribe, but it can help you stand out. Degrees in biology, nursing, or anything related to medicine will teach you a lot about how the human body works and medical terms you’ll need to know.
Step 3: Train to be a scribe
You can take a special training program to learn the ropes of being a medical scribe. These programs teach you medical terms, how to use electronic health records, and the rules about keeping patient information private. Some even let you practice what you’ve learned in a real healthcare setting.
Step 4: Get certified
Getting a certification isn’t a must, but it shows you know your stuff. Organizations like the American College of Medical Scribe Specialists offer exams to prove your skills.
Step 5: Start applying
Once you’re trained and certified, start looking for jobs. Check online job boards, hospital websites, and ask around in the medical community. Make sure your resume and cover letter talk up your scribe training and any healthcare knowledge you have.
Step 6: Learn on the job
Even after securing a job, most scribes must undergo an on-the-job training period. This training is designed to familiarize them with the specific work environment, procedures, and protocols. All the necessary writing, note-taking, and medical record-keeping skills are polished during this period.
How much do medical scribes make?
Medical scribe salaries will vary by experience, industry, education, location, and organization size. The size of the medical institution and the volume of patient data to be managed can also influence their compensation..
Highest paying industries
- Scientific Research and Development Services: $43,190
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: $42,270
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools: $41,960
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: $41,580
- Offices of Physicians: $39,160
Highest paying states
- Alaska: $44,340
- Washington: $43,700
- California: $42,930
- Connecticut: $41,270
- Minnesota: $40,890
The average national salary for a Medical Scribe is:
$35,500
Types of medical scribes
Medical scribes can work in different kinds of jobs depending on what they’re interested in. Here’s a look at some common types:
Emergency department scribe
If you like fast-paced action, this job is for you. Emergency department scribes write down everything that happens when a patient comes in—from what hurts to what tests are done. This lets doctors focus on caring for patients in urgent situations.
Outpatient clinic scribe
These scribes work where patients get regular check-ups or treatments that don’t require staying in the hospital. Here, you can learn a lot about different kinds of medicine, like skin care or eye health, depending on where you work.
Specialty practice scribe
If you have a passion for a specific type of medicine, like heart health or brain science, this is the job for you. You’ll work closely with specialists and learn all about certain diseases and their treatments.
Pediatric scribe
Love kids? As a pediatric scribe, you help doctors by recording details during visits, keeping track of how kids grow, and making sure their vaccine records are up to date.
Telemedicine scribe
This job is all about the future of medicine—seeing patients over video calls! Telemedicine scribes take notes during these virtual visits, which is great if you prefer to work from home or need a flexible schedule.
Surgical scribe
For those who find surgeries fascinating, working as a surgical scribe could be thrilling. You’ll be in the operating room, documenting everything from how the patient is prepared to what happens during the surgery.
Top skills for medical scribes
If you’re thinking about becoming a medical scribe, here are some of the key skills you’ll need to be good at the job:
Know medical lingo
You need to understand all the medical terms you’ll hear. This helps you write down everything accurately, from what the doctor says about a patient’s condition to the treatments they plan to use.
Write well
A big part of your job will be writing, so it’s super important to write clearly and accurately. Good writing helps keep the medical records straight and ensures everyone on the healthcare team knows what’s going on.
Pay attention to details
You have to be really good at noticing and remembering details because even small mistakes can make a big difference. Paying attention helps you catch important info and avoid errors in the records.
Listen carefully
Great listening skills are a must. You’ll need to listen to what doctors and patients are saying and then write it down correctly. This means catching every detail in real-time and making sure it’s recorded right away.
Stay calm under pressure
Hospitals and clinics can get pretty hectic. Being able to keep cool when things get busy or stressful is crucial. You might have to handle lots of tasks at once or deal with emergencies, so staying calm and collected helps you do your job well.
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Medical scribe career path options
Starting as a medical scribe opens up a lot of doors for your future career. Here’s how you can grow and move up:
Moving up as a scribe
After working as a scribe, you can climb the ladder to more senior roles like lead medical scribe or medical scribe trainer. These jobs come with more responsibility and are a step up from where you start.
Shifting to admin roles
With enough experience, you might move into office management or become a healthcare administrator. These are big roles that put you in charge of many aspects of a healthcare setting.
Furthering your education
Many go back to school to become nurses, physician assistants, or even doctors. Working as a scribe gives you a great look at healthcare from the inside, which can be super helpful if you decide to take your career to the next level in medicine. Remember, these careers need specific degrees and certifications.
Similar job titles
Position trends and outlook for medical scribes
- Going digital: The job of a medical scribe is becoming more important every year, especially as hospitals and clinics switch from paper to digital records. Scribes help doctors by handling the electronic health records (EHR), which reduces stress for doctors, makes clinics run smoother, and improves the care patients receive.
Employment projections
Even though the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t track medical scribes specifically, jobs related to managing health information are expected to grow by 17% through 2031. That’s a lot faster than most other jobs. The push to make all health records digital is a big reason for this growth.
Medical scribe career tips
Learn medical terms
Knowing medical terms and abbreviations is crucial. It helps you understand what’s happening during patient visits and lets you record things quickly and accurately.
Master electronic health records
Since most medical records are digital now, knowing how to use EHR systems is a must. Getting good with these systems makes you more efficient and a key part of any healthcare team.
Connect with others
Building relationships with other medical scribes and healthcare pros can open up opportunities. Join groups like the American Association for Medical Transcription or the Medical Scribe Association to meet others in your field.
Never stop learning
Healthcare is always changing, so staying updated is key. You could:
- Take online courses in medical coding or billing
- Attend workshops to learn about the latest EHR systems
- Get certified in medical transcription
Boost your listening skills
Good listening is essential for a medical scribe. The better you listen, the more accurate your medical notes will be, which helps avoid mistakes.
Where the medical scribe jobs are
Top employers
- ScribeAmerica
- Elite Medical Scribes
- Inscribe
- PhysAssist
- Proscribe
Top states
- California
- Florida
- Texas
- Massachusetts
- New York
Top job sites
- zengig
- Indeed
- Monster
- SimplyHired
FAQs
What does a day in the life of a medical scribe look like?
A typical day involves following healthcare professionals as they examine patients, documenting these examinations in real time. They also handle lab results, draft referral letters, and manage patient histories. Their work requires excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to be tactful and discreet. It’s important to remember that every day is different, and the pace can be fast, but it’s a great learning experience.
How does medical scribing benefit pre-medical students?
Pre-med students often find working as scribes highly beneficial. This job offers the chance to work alongside and learn directly from medical professionals, gaining crucial insights into the healthcare industry. It also provides opportunities to develop a deep understanding of medical terminologies, patient care processes, and EHR systems. These experiences can be influential in shaping a student’s future medical career.
What skills does a medical scribe need to develop?
Among others, strong listening skills are vital for this job to accurately document everything said during patient examinations. Additionally, typing and computer literacy are essential to input data quickly and effectively. Organizational skills are also required to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and keep information orderly. Crucially, strong interpersonal skills help communicate effectively with doctors and healthcare pros. Finally, understanding medical terms is highly beneficial in this role.
Is medical scribe work stressful?
Similar to many healthcare roles, medical scribing can be stressful. The role requires a lot of multitasking, with demands to take notes swiftly and accurately while interacting with healthcare professionals and patients. Elements of the job, like the urgency of patient care scenarios, the use of complex medical language, or the requirement to document patient interactions simultaneously, can contribute to stress. However, this rigorous environment also provides a great learning platform for those planning a career in healthcare.
How can I improve as a medical scribe?
The best ways to enhance your effectiveness include continually refining your listening and note-taking skills since precision and speed are essential for real-time documentation. Expanding your medical terminology knowledge and understanding of healthcare procedures can also greatly improve the quality of your work. Developing your interpersonal skills can assist in working effectively with healthcare professionals, and improving your organizational skills can lead to more efficient management of tasks.
What should I expect during medical scribe training?
Typically, training for new scribes involves learning medical terminologies and abbreviations, understanding the structure and function of the healthcare system, and becoming acquainted with EHRs. Further, training includes learning to document patient encounters accurately and quickly, as well as handling other administrative tasks related to patient care. Additionally, ethics and privacy provisions in the healthcare setting form an integral part of the training.
Do scribes work only in hospitals?
While many scribes do work in hospital settings, they can be found in a variety of healthcare environments. This may include private practices, urgent care clinics, or specialty clinics such as orthopedic or pediatric offices. The experiences and tasks could vary depending on the setting.
What makes a good medical scribe?
A good scribe can document quickly and accurately, pick up on intricate details, and is well-versed with medical terminologies. Organized, disciplined, and able to work under pressure are qualities that often set apart proficient scribes. Technical skills such as proficiency in electronic health record systems and typing speed are also substantial influencers in performing these tasks efficiently. Above all, respect for patient confidentiality and healthcare ethics makes them highly valued.
How do I prepare for a medical scribe interview?
Before an interview, review key medical terminologies and abbreviations and understand the basics of patient care procedures. You may also want to familiarize yourself with the principles of healthcare ethics and patient confidentiality. Brushing up on your computer skills, specifically around EHR systems, can prove advantageous. Role-playing scenarios involving patient encounters may boost your confidence during the interview.