Have you ever visited a doctor’s office and noticed someone quietly typing away while the doctor talks to the patient? That person is likely a medical scribe!
But what exactly is a medical scribe, and how to become a medical scribe? A medical scribe helps doctors and nurses by writing down important information during patient visits. This job gives you the chance to learn about healthcare, work closely with medical professionals, and gain valuable experience.Today this blog will take you through everything you need to know, step by step.
Whether you’re interested in healthcare or just curious about the job, by the end of this, you’ll have a better understanding of what it takes to become a medical scribe.
Keep reading.
What Is a Medical Scribe?
A medical scribe is a professional who works alongside doctors and other healthcare workers. Their main job is to write down everything that happens during a patient’s visit. This can include the patient’s symptoms, the doctor’s examination, diagnosis, and treatment plan. A medical scribe also helps update the patient’s electronic health record (EHR), which is an online version of their medical chart.
By having a scribe handle the paperwork, doctors can spend more time focusing on their patients and less time typing notes. It’s like being the doctor’s right-hand assistant!
Where Do Medical Scribes Work?
Medical scribes can work in several different places:
- Hospitals
- Doctor’s offices
- Clinics
- Emergency rooms
They often work directly with doctors, so their work environment can vary depending on the medical setting.
What Does a Medical Scribe Do?
Here’s what a typical day for a medical scribe might look like:
- Listen and Record: The scribe listens to the conversation between the doctor and the patient and writes down important information.
- Update Records: The scribe enters the doctor’s findings and patient details into the EHR.
- Prepare Reports: After the doctor finishes with a patient, the scribe ensures all the medical information is clear and complete.
How to Become a Medical Scribe: Step-by-Step Guide
If becoming a medical scribe sounds interesting to you, here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Finish High School
First, you need to finish high school or get a GED. Most employers require at least this level of education to become a medical scribe. After graduating, you can start looking into scribe training programs. Subjects like biology and English can help you in this career, so focus on those!
Step 2: Research Training Programs
Now you will need to complete a training program to learn the skills needed for the job. Many community colleges offer medical scribe courses, or you can take online classes. Some programs offer certifications, like the Medical Scribe Certification Exam. These programs teach you medical terms and how to handle electronic health records (EHRs).
Step 3: Apply for Jobs
Once you have completed your training, you can start applying for medical scribe jobs. Many medical scribes work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and clinics.
Step 4: On-the-Job Training
Even if you’ve completed a training program, you’ll still need to go through on-the-job training to learn the specific ways your doctor likes to work. It’s helpful to gain real-life experience before applying for a scribe job. Some training programs include opportunities to shadow doctors or work in healthcare settings.
Step 5: Continue Learning
As a medical scribe, you’ll need to keep learning, especially as new technology or healthcare rules come out. Some scribes also choose to study further to become doctors, nurses, or other healthcare professionals. You can also gain experience by working as a medical assistant or in similar roles to learn how doctors and clinics work.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Scribe?
Becoming a medical scribe doesn’t take as long as you might think. If you’ve finished high school, you can start working after just a few weeks or months of training. Depending on the program you choose, training could take between 1-3 months.
Check out this blog on How Long Does Medical Scribe Training Take in the USA? to have a great idea on this.
Skills Needed to Become a Medical Scribe
Becoming a medical scribe requires a variety of skills and abilities. Here are some of the most important ones you will need:
- Multitasking: As a scribe, you will be doing more than just typing what the doctor says. You’ll need to pay attention to what’s happening between the doctor and patient, while also navigating different sections of the patient’s medical records. It’s like trying to keep track of many things at once, so being good at multitasking is important.
- Physical and Emotional Endurance: Scribes often stand for long periods while working with doctors. You might be on your feet for 30-45 minutes during patient visits, so being physically fit is helpful. Also, healthcare can be emotionally tough. You might see difficult situations, so being able to stay calm and focused is key.
- Computer Skills and Typing Speed: Most of your job will involve working on a computer, so it’s important to be fast and accurate when typing. Scribes usually need to type at least 45-60 words per minute. You will also need to learn how to use electronic medical records (EMR) software and programs like Microsoft Office to do tasks like writing letters.
Medical Scribe Training Requirements
If you want to become a medical scribe, here’s what you need to know:
No Certification Needed: You don’t need any special certification or degree to become a medical scribe. Most hospitals or clinics just require you to have a high school diploma. However, it helps to know a little about human anatomy and medical terms, which is why many pre-med students become scribes.
Training: You don’t have to take a long training course to become a medical scribe. Some people take short courses at community colleges or online, which teach things like medical documentation and billing. However, most medical scribes learn on the job. Once hired, you might shadow experienced scribes for a few weeks before you start working on your own.
On-the-Job Training: When you start your job, you will learn how to use medical documentation software, understand test results (like X-rays and MRIs), handle discharge procedures, and even learn about basic medications and billing codes. Each place may have different rules, so you will get used to how things work there.
Optional Certification: You can choose to get certified as a medical scribe to make yourself stand out. There is an exam you can take to earn a certification from the American Healthcare Documentation Professionals Group. It is optional, but it can help you get better job opportunities and make your medical school applications stronger.
What Is the Typical Career Path for a Medical Scribe?
Medical scribes often start in entry-level positions but can move up quickly. Here’s a possible career path:
- Medical Scribe: Entry-level position where you start learning the job.
- Chief Scribe: In charge of a team of scribes and helps manage their work.
- Healthcare Professional: Some medical scribes decide to go to school to become doctors, nurses, or other medical professionals.
Challenges You Might Encounter While Becoming a Medical Scribe
Becoming a medical scribe offers a valuable opportunity to get firsthand experience in the healthcare field, but it isn’t without its challenges. One of the primary hurdles is the fast-paced nature of the job. As a scribe, you’re expected to document patient interactions quickly and accurately. This requires not only fast typing skills but also the ability to multitask efficiently.
You need to be alert and attentive to the details of the doctor-patient conversation while maintaining focus on the electronic health record (EHR). The pressure to keep up, especially in a busy clinic or hospital setting, can be overwhelming for new scribes.
Another challenge is navigating different personalities, particularly in high-stress environments. Doctors are often pressed for time and may be dealing with difficult cases, which can lead to tense or hurried interactions. Patients, too, may be anxious or frustrated due to their medical conditions, making communication challenging.
In these situations, it’s crucial to remain calm, professional, and adaptable. Learning how to manage stress and maintain a positive attitude, even when things get hectic, is essential for long-term success.
Despite these difficulties, the role of a medical scribe is incredibly rewarding. You become an integral part of the healthcare team, assisting doctors in providing better patient care by reducing their administrative burden. The experience you gain can also be invaluable if you’re considering a future career in medicine.
By understanding and preparing for the challenges that come with being a medical scribe, you’ll be better equipped to handle them and succeed in the role.
Will Becoming a Certified Medical Scribe Increase Job Opportunities?
Yes, becoming a certified medical scribe can significantly boost your job prospects. Certification shows potential employers that you’ve undergone formal training and have met industry standards, which is increasingly important in healthcare environments where accuracy and efficiency are critical. Certified scribes are often seen as more competent and reliable, as they’ve demonstrated their ability to handle the demanding tasks of real-time documentation, medical terminology, and clinical workflow.
Additionally, many hospitals, clinics, and private practices prefer or even require certification when hiring scribes because it ensures that you’re equipped with the knowledge to properly assist physicians and healthcare teams. It’s also a signal to employers that you’re committed to the profession and are serious about advancing your career, which can make you stand out in a competitive job market.
In short, becoming a certified medical scribe can give you a leg up on the competition by proving your qualifications and enhancing your credibility in the eyes of employers.
Balancing Being a Medical Scribe and a Premed College Student
Balancing being a medical scribe while also pursuing premed studies can indeed be a challenging yet rewarding experience. Many premed students take up medical scribing because it offers invaluable exposure to the healthcare environment, providing a front-row seat to patient care and how doctors operate in real-time. However, juggling both school and work requires careful planning and discipline.
Time management becomes essential here. With busy class schedules, labs, and study time, it’s important to create a routine that prioritizes both academic success and scribe shifts. Some students find it helpful to dedicate specific hours to study and take on fewer shifts during exam periods. On the flip side, working as a medical scribe can enhance your understanding of the medical field, making concepts in your courses more relatable and easier to grasp.
Beyond just academic benefits, being a scribe helps build communication skills and exposes you to the realities of healthcare, which is an advantage when applying to medical school. Though the balancing act can feel overwhelming at times, the experience gained is often worth the effort. The key is finding the right balance between school, work, and personal time, while staying organized and flexible in your approach.
Why Should You Become a Medical Scribe as a Premed?
Becoming a medical scribe as a premed student is an excellent opportunity to gain invaluable, real-world experience in the healthcare field. As a scribe, you’re not just observing; you’re actively involved in the patient care process by documenting clinical encounters, which means you see firsthand how doctors interact with patients, make diagnoses, and decide on treatments.
This behind-the-scenes access helps you understand the flow of a medical practice and the dynamics of healthcare teams, something you wouldn’t typically learn in a classroom setting.
Additionally, you’ll become familiar with medical terminology, electronic health records (EHR), and how different departments in healthcare work together. These are critical skills for any aspiring physician and can give you a significant advantage in medical school, where understanding medical documentation is a key component of your training.
The experience also allows you to build professional relationships with doctors and healthcare providers, which can lead to mentorship opportunities or letters of recommendation for your medical school applications.
Overall, being a medical scribe provides a unique blend of clinical exposure and practical skills, making it one of the best ways to prepare for a career in medicine while still completing your premed requirements.
When’s the Best Time to Become a Medical Scribe as a Premed?
The best time to become a medical scribe as a premed student is during your college years, particularly in your junior or senior year. This is when you have a solid grasp of basic sciences and are starting to think more seriously about medical school. Working as a medical scribe not only allows you to apply what you’re learning in real-world clinical settings, but it also gives you a unique opportunity to work closely with doctors, observe patient care, and get an inside look at the medical field.
For premed students, gaining this kind of hands-on experience is invaluable. It helps you build a strong foundation in medical terminology, charting, and understanding the workflow of a healthcare facility. Plus, the skills you acquire as a scribe can set you apart on your medical school application.
Admissions committees look for candidates who have direct exposure to the medical field, and scribing shows you’re committed, hardworking, and genuinely interested in medicine.
Many students also find that working as a medical scribe improves their ability to think critically in fast-paced environments—something that will serve you well not only in medical school but also in your future career as a doctor.
The flexibility of the job often allows students to balance their scribe responsibilities with coursework, making it an ideal position to pursue during college.
How to Find a Scribe Job
Here are some tips for finding a scribe job:
- Research companies: Start by looking up companies like ScribeAmerica or other local medical scribe programs.
- Apply online: Many companies post job openings online. You can search for “medical scribe jobs” on popular job websites like Indeed or LinkedIn.
- Prepare for the interview: Once you get an interview, make sure you know about the role and practice answering common interview questions.
How to Get a Job as a Medical Scribe
Here’s how to get a medical scribe job:
- Step 1: Complete training: Make sure you have the necessary training.
- Step 2: Update your resume: Include your training and any experience you have.
- Step 3: Apply for jobs: Start sending out applications to hospitals, clinics, and scribe companies.
- Step 4: Interview: Prepare to talk about why you want to be a scribe and how you can help the doctor.
Read this blog on Medical Scribe Resume: How to Write It Effectively? to effectively write a medical scribe resume for getting a better job opportunity.
What will be the Medical Scribe Salary
Medical scribes help doctors by documenting patient information, and their salary can vary based on experience and location. Medical scribes usually make between $12 to $20 per hour.
As of recent data, the average salary for a medical scribe in the United States is around $37,000 per year. However, this can range from about $30,000 to $45,000 annually, depending on factors like location and level of experience.
For example, medical scribes working in big cities or specialized medical fields might earn more than those in smaller towns or general practices. Entry-level positions might start lower, but with more experience, the salary can increase.
Here you can have a better idea from our previous blog on Medical Scribe Salary in the United States in 2024.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a medical scribe is a great opportunity for people who are interested in healthcare and want to get real-world experience. Whether you’re a high school student thinking about the future or a premed student looking to gain valuable skills, the medical scribe career path offers a fast way into the healthcare industry. Plus, it can lead to exciting opportunities in the future!
At RevMaxx ai medical scribe, we understand the importance of efficient medical documentation and the role of scribes in enhancing patient care. Our advanced AI medical scribe solutions streamline medical documentation processes, making tasks easier for medical professionals and scribes alike. By reducing the time spent on paperwork, we help physicians focus more on the critical aspects of their job, which can improve job satisfaction and effectiveness.
Whether you’re starting as a scribe or seeking to optimize your documentation process, RevMaxx’s AI tools can support you in managing and organizing medical records with ease. Get a Free Trial and discover how it works.
