Medical Scribe

A Medical Scribe is essentially an assistant to a physician or another healthcare provider. The scribe’s main role is to record medical documentation for the doctor, but they may also check for test results and assist with assigning diagnoses and billing. 

Some examples of electronic documentation (notes) a medical scribe records are:

• Patient history
• Physician examination findings
• Test results
• Any other information relevant to the patient’s care.

Scribes are often college students or recent college graduates looking for additional exposure to the healthcare field before applying to medical school or other graduate training programs; however, scribing can also be a full-time career. ¹https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/medical-scribes-let-the-doctor-focus-on-you-2018110715249

What Do Medical Scribes Do?

Medical scribes assist doctors during examinations and take detailed notes on the physician-patient encounters in real-time on the computer. The purpose of a medical scribe is to speed up examinations by taking detailed notes while allowing the physician to focus solely on patient care.

Common responsibilities include:

• Notifying the physician when incoming test results are ready
• Helping with electronic medicine prescription
• Entering medical records into a portal, such as the Electronic Health Record (EHR)
• Helping the physician take care of the patient²https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/careers/what-does-a-medical-scribe-do

What types of skills are necessary to be a successful Medical Scribe?

• Computer skills – computer competency, ability to type at above-average speed, ability to multi-task while using the computer (type, listen, and take notes while the physician speaks with and examines the patient).
• Organized – important to stay organized while managing your various responsibilities. 
• Attention to detail – necessary to minimize the risk of error when transcribing and taking notes for your physician.
• Excellent bedside manner – to ensure high-quality patient care, it is important to have good listening skills, the ability to display empathy, and professionalism. 
• Basic Medical knowledge – medical scribes must have basic knowledge and understanding of medical terminology.
• Personable – important since you need to communicate and work effectively with physicians, lab technicians, and nurses.
• Physical stamina: medical scribes need to stand for long periods while shadowing physicians. It is important to stay focused on the physician’s instructions and be prepared for anything that could arise.³https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/careers/what-does-a-medical-scribe-do

What are some challenges of being a Medical Scribe?

• Clerical/Administrative work can get repetitive
• Usually follow around one (or more) physician(s), so your experience can be dependent on the physician you are assisting. 
• Not paid very much (usually under $18/hr)

What are some benefits of being a Medical Scribe?