Medical scribes aren’t as well known as other roles in the healthcare profession. Nevertheless, they’re increasingly relied upon to unburden doctors and other frontline staff.
The need for digital healthcare records often keeps doctors away from seeing patients. This additional administrative task reduces how many patients they can treat and potentially increases wait times for patients in the A&E department. Medical scribes indirectly help with this issue by reducing some of the administrative responsibility from these staff members.
Here is more information about medical scribes to see if it’s a role that might interest you.
Medical Scribes 101
When wondering what is a medical scribe, it’s good to understand the basics. Essentially, a scribe takes down information on behalf of another person. With the advent of electronic health records (EHR), hospitals, clinics, and other treatment facilities must maintain detailed, updated patient records of the treatment received, medication prescribed, etc.
Scribes work at least 8 hours on a shift and sometimes longer. During this time, they record patient information to save doctors from needing to update digital records themselves. They can then confirm that the information is recorded correctly and move hastily onto their next patient.
Does It Grant Entry into the Healthcare Professional?
Studying to become a nurse or a doctor doesn’t always provide experience on the wards early into the college program. Being accepted on a course is also difficult with many applicants. Separating yourself from the pack becomes necessary to stand out.
If you’ve already worked as a medical scribe, it confirms you have a reasonable knowledge of medical procedures, treatment protocols, etc. Rather than being an outside observer looking in, past scribes have been in the thick of it and seen what goes on behind the patient’s privacy curtain. This provides a unique insight that’s valuable when applying for further medical studies.
Is it Fulfilling as a Role?
Working as a medical scribe means long hours of intense work.
The information within medical healthcare records must be accurate. Sometimes, past patients or their families look to dispute treatment provided if the outcome was unsatisfactory. The accuracy and detail in a patient’s records help to protect the medical facility and physicians from medical malpractice claims.
Not having clarity on what questions were asked, tests ordered, medication prescribed, and other treatment options considered leaves room open for accusations that wouldn’t be possible with detailed records. Therefore, scribes have become more critical to avoid costly legal wrangles and the distraction they cause.
Is the Clinical Experience Valuable?
Clinical experience is useful for anyone interested in going into the medical profession.
The cost and time required to study to become a nurse or a doctor are considerable. By going down the medical scribe route, it affords a unique perspective that provides clearness about whether a long-term career in healthcare is worthwhile for you.
For detail-oriented people who like to help others, but who aren’t yet convinced to study as a doctor or nurse, a career as a medical scribe is an interesting option. And there’s never a dull day because each case is unique.
What Skills Do You Need to Become a Medical Scribe?
You don’t need to be a doctor to be a medical scribe. But, you need some important skills. Excellent listening skills are key. You’ll listen to doctors talk fast and write down what they say.
Other important skills include:
- Fast and accurate typing
- Strong grammar and spelling
- Attention to detail
- Familiarity with medical terminology
- Discretion and confidentiality
Being quick-thinking is also helpful. Hospitals and clinics move fast. You need to be sure of your notes and correct mistakes fast.
Where Do Medical Scribes Typically Work?
Medical scribes don’t just work in hospitals. They work in many places, like:
- Emergency departments (ER/A&E)
- Private clinics
- Specialist practices (cardiology, dermatology, orthopedics, etc.)
- Urgent care centers
- Telehealth services
Emergency departments are busy. But, other places might be calmer. You can choose where you want to work.
How Do You Become a Medical Scribe?
To become a medical scribe, you don’t need a four-year degree. It’s a great choice for students. It lets them gain experience before medical school.
Here’s how you can become one:
- Graduate high school or earn a GED.
- Apply to a scribe training program—some are run by hospitals, others by third-party services like ScribeAmerica or ProScribe.
- Complete training, which often includes medical terminology, HIPAA compliance, and EHR software practice.
- Start working under supervision before handling records independently.
Many students take scribe jobs to earn money and improve their resumes.
What Are the Career Advancement Opportunities?
Some people stay scribes for a while. Others use it as a stepping stone. Here’s how you can grow:
- Shift to lead scribe or trainer roles: With experience, you can help new scribes or manage a team.
- Move into healthcare administration: With more education or experience, you can work in medical coding, compliance, or health informatics.
- Continue to medical school or nursing programs: Many future doctors, PAs, or nurses start as scribes. It gives them an edge and real-world experience.
Even if you don’t stay a scribe, it’s a great way to get into healthcare.
Is the Pay Worth It?
Medical scribe work doesn’t offer six-figure salaries. But, it’s a good start for those new to the field. It gives you a peek into the clinical world.
The average hourly pay ranges from $12 to $20. This depends on where you work, how much experience you have, and the hospital. Places like emergency departments or busy hospitals might pay more because of the hard work.
But, there’s more to it than just the money:
- Hands-on experience with physicians
- Knowledge of medical procedures and protocols
- A strong resume booster for med school applications
- Letters of recommendation from medical professionals
Looking at the bigger picture, being a scribe is a smart choice. It’s rewarding, even if the money isn’t huge at first.
