Why Premeds Should be Medical Scribes
According to The Princeton Review, gaining clinical experience is one of the most important steps in preparing a strong medical school application. Most medical schools today expect applicants to have worked in a healthcare setting for at least six months before applying. A 2020 US News survey of medical school faculty also confirmed that clinical experience is a major factor in admissions decisions. One senior committee member even described the absence of hands-on experience as a “deal-breaker,” highlighting how crucial it is for aspiring doctors.
Research further shows that working as a medical scribe can give premed students a significant advantage. A 2018 study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that applicants with scribing experience had a much higher chance of being accepted into medical school than those without. The study reported an Odds Ratio (OR) of 1.61, meaning that students who worked as scribes were significantly more likely to get in. (An OR greater than 1 suggests that a certain factor, in this case, scribing experience, positively influenced the outcome—medical school acceptance.)
A well-known physician, who runs a popular YouTube channel, shared that not having scribing experience made medical school more challenging for him. He struggled with medical terms, hospital procedures, and the fast-paced environment, which he believes could have been easier if he had worked as a scribe beforehand. On the other hand, a 2017 PhD study found that students who had worked as scribes felt much more prepared for medical school. Many of them said their scribing experience helped them understand medical language, workflow, and patient care, making the transition into medical school and even their future careers smoother.
Types of Clinical Experience In Preparing For Medical School
Before applying to medical school, gaining clinical experience is crucial. Medical schools expect applicants to have hands-on exposure to healthcare settings. However, not all clinical experiences are the same. Admissions committees distinguish between two main types: Patient Care Experience (PCE) and Health Care Experience (HCE). Understanding the difference between these two can help students make better choices when seeking relevant experience.
1. Patient Care Experience (PCE)
Patient Care Experience (PCE) involves direct interaction with patients, often including physical contact and responsibility for certain aspects of their care. Students in PCE roles work closely with patients, assisting with daily activities, taking vital signs, administering medications, or responding to medical emergencies. Common examples of PCE jobs include nursing assistants, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), medical assistants, and phlebotomists. Choosing PCE is beneficial because it allows students to develop essential hands-on skills and gain firsthand experience in patient care. This exposure helps build confidence in handling real-world medical situations and enhances communication skills with both patients and healthcare professionals. However, many entry-level PCE positions require limited medical knowledge and may focus more on routine tasks rather than in-depth medical training.
2. Health Care Experience (HCE)
Health Care Experience (HCE) includes roles in healthcare settings that do not involve direct patient care. Instead, these positions provide an opportunity to observe medical professionals, learn medical terminology, and understand healthcare operations. Examples of HCE roles include medical scribes, hospital volunteers, clinic receptionists, and pharmacy technicians. One of the key advantages of HCE, particularly medical scribing, is the exposure to physician-patient interactions, clinical decision-making, and medical documentation. This type of experience helps students develop a deeper understanding of how healthcare systems function, which can be highly valuable when transitioning to medical school. While HCE does not involve hands-on patient care, it provides a broader perspective on medicine, making it an excellent complement to PCE for a well-rounded clinical background.
Which One Is Better?
While PCE might seem more beneficial at first because it involves direct patient interaction, a combination of both PCE and HCE is considered ideal. PCE offers hands-on experience, while HCE provides a more in-depth understanding of medical procedures and terminology. Medical schools prefer applicants with a balanced experience in both areas.
Gaining Clinical Experience: Options for a Premed Student
As outlined above, premed students can opt to gain clinical experience through a variety of health-care roles. Although the following list is not comprehensive, it lists some of the more popular options among premeds seeking clinical exposure:
Patient Care Experience (PCE)
PCE roles involve direct patient interaction, often including hands-on care.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – CNAs help patients with daily tasks like eating, bathing, and moving around. In some cases, they may also check vital signs and assist with medications under supervision. This role is great for developing hands-on caring ability.
Patient Care Technician (PCT) – Similar to a CNA, a PCT helps with patient care but may also perform basic medical tasks like removing blood or running an EKG. Certification can expand job opportunities.
Medical Assistant (MA) – MAs work in clinics and hospitals, assisting doctors with exams, giving injections, drawing blood, and handling administrative tasks. Training programs range from short courses to two-year degrees.
Patient Transporter – These workers help move patients in wheelchairs or stretchers between rooms, wards, or even different facilities. This role offers exposure to a hospital environment and patient interaction.
Patient Safety Observer/Sitter – Sitters monitor patients to ensure their safety, such as preventing falls or IV removal. They may also help with eating and mobility, making it a good role for those wanting to gain experience in patient care.
Phlebotomist – Phlebotomists specialize in drawing blood for tests or donations. This job offers direct patient interaction and a strong introduction to lab work.
Health Care Experience (HCE)
HCE roles take place in healthcare settings but do not involve direct patient care.
Surgical/Operating Room (OR) Technologist – These workers assist in surgeries by sterilizing instruments and preparing supplies for doctors and nurses. This role provides a close-up view of medical procedures.
Pharmacy Technician/Assistant – Works in pharmacies, helping prepare prescriptions, organize medications, and handle insurance paperwork. This role is great for learning about medications and patient care from a pharmacy perspective.
Medical Records Clerk/Health Information Clerk – Helps manage patient records and ensures proper documentation in hospitals and clinics. While there’s little patient interaction, this role provides insight into healthcare administration.
Medical Receptionist – Schedules appointments, answers patient inquiries and manages front-desk operations in healthcare facilities. This role improves communication and organizational skills.
Child Life/Patient Care Volunteer – Child Life volunteers work with pediatric patients, playing games and engaging in creative activities. Patient care volunteers interact with adult patients by reading to them, chatting, or assisting with hobbies.
Medical Scribe – Medical scribes document doctor-patient interactions during visits, ensuring accurate electronic records. This role is excellent for learning medical terminology and understanding how doctors make clinical decisions.
Why Is the Role of a Medical Scribe Ideal for Pre-Med Students?
The medical scribe profession provides invaluable preparation for pre-med students, offering firsthand exposure to clinical environments and medical decision-making. Before comparing scribing with other Patient Care Experience (PCE) and Healthcare Experience (HCE) roles, it’s essential to understand the key responsibilities and demands of this role.
The Role of a Medical Scribe
Also referred to as a Clinical Scribe, Documentation Assistant, or simply Scribe, a medical scribe acts as a physician’s personal assistant. They work closely with healthcare providers, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses—to document patient encounters in real time. With training from ASMSO, scribes develop the necessary skills to efficiently update Electronic Health Records (EHR) or Electronic Medical Records (EMR) with accurate and detailed information from each patient interaction.
To cope with these demands, a scribe must have the following qualifications:
Strong language and listening skills – The ability to comprehend medical discussions accurately.
Advanced vocabulary and spelling proficiency – Especially in medical terminology, even when encountering new or complex terms.
Fast and accurate typing ability – Typically between 60 and 70 words per minute.
Effective information organization – Using notes, charts, and checklists for structured documentation.
High concentration in dynamic environments – Focusing on crucial details despite background noise, distressing situations, or multiple sources of information.
Example Scenario: In an ER, a medical scribe must generate an accurate record of the physician-patient interaction, despite being surrounded by high noise levels, emotional content (pain and distress), and potentially confusing data, as medical terms and patient information are being discussed by multiple healthcare staff such as nurses, EMTs, and other healthcare personnel.
Besides the above skills, successful medical scribes are also characterized by certain common traits. Unlike the verifiable skill set listed above, these qualities go deeper, are harder to assess, and might not be easy to acquire through training or certification. A recent study20 found that dozens of practitioners, as well as scribes, unanimously identified crucial characteristics that make for an outstanding medical scribe, as outlined in the following section.
Five key Characteristics Of Great Medical Scribes
1. Comfortable Asking Questions: A good scribe isn’t afraid to ask questions. Keeping patient records correct is very important, and if something isn’t clear, a scribe should always ask the doctor for details. Whether it’s a medical term, a treatment plan, or a note about the patient, asking for clarification helps prevent mistakes.
2. Stays Calm Under Pressure and Accepts Feedback: Hospitals and clinics can be busy and stressful places, especially in emergency rooms. A scribe must be able to handle fast-paced situations without feeling overwhelmed. They also need to accept feedback from doctors and nurses without taking it personally. Learning from corrections helps them improve and do their job better.
3. Blends Into the Background: A good scribe works quietly and does not distract the doctor or patient. Since they are writing down everything that happens, they need to stay focused while keeping a low profile. Many professionals say the best scribes are like "a fly on the wall"—present, but not noticeable.
4. Learns Quickly: Medical scribes hear many new words and terms every day. They must be able to pick up medical language fast and remember it for future use. Learning quickly helps them keep up with the doctor and take accurate notes during patient visits.
5. Has a True Interest in Medicine: Scribing is more than just a job—it’s a great way to learn about healthcare. Many scribes go on to become doctors, nurses, or other medical professionals. A strong interest in medicine helps scribes stay motivated and do their best work.
Qualifying as a Medical Scribe
Medical scribing remains a largely unregulated field, allowing individuals to enter the profession with minimal or no prior experience or certification. However, due to the demanding nature of the role, most employers require new hires to complete a structured training program lasting anywhere from two weeks to two months. Enrolling in a recognized certification program, like the ACMSO Medical Scribe Training21 or MST, may give those who want to improve their credentials and opportunities for employment a more thorough foundation in medical scribing.
Generally, training programs for scribes include the following components:
Familiarization with medical terminology and health care jargon
Orientation towards using medical record software
Basics of scribing, including recording CC (Chief Complaint), HPI (History of Present Illness), SOAP note (Subjective - Objective - Assessment - Plan approach adopted by physicians during patient consultations), Review of Systems (RoS) and PE (Physical Exam) results.
Shadowing a senior scribe during real practitioner-patient consultations
Supervised scribing, where a novice works as a medical scribe in the presence of a senior scribe
At the end of this training, a medical scribe is expected to be capable of taking on independent scribing duties.
Where Medical Scribes Work
Medical scribes are employed in various healthcare environments, assisting doctors in recording patient information. They work in hospitals, clinics, and urgent care centers, ensuring that doctors can focus on diagnosing and treating patients while medical records are maintained accurately and efficiently.
Primary care clinics: Scribes in primary care settings document patient visits, record symptoms, and update medical histories. They ensure doctors have complete and accurate patient records, helping them provide better long-term care by tracking chronic conditions, vaccinations, and previous treatments.
Urgent care centers: In urgent care facilities, scribes assist in recording symptoms, test results, and treatment plans. Since these centers handle a high volume of patients, scribes help doctors keep records updated quickly and accurately, ensuring smooth patient care and follow-ups.
Specialist clinics and hospitals: Scribes working with specialists document complex cases, including diagnoses and treatment plans for conditions like heart disease or neurological disorders. Their detailed notes help specialists track patient progress and coordinate care with other healthcare professionals.
Emergency rooms: In emergency departments, scribes document critical information during high-pressure situations. They record patient symptoms, test results, and treatments in real time, allowing doctors to focus on urgent care while maintaining clear and accurate records for future reference.
Inpatient hospitals and clinics: Scribes in inpatient settings assist with daily patient updates, tracking vital signs, medication changes, and doctor recommendations. Their records help healthcare teams collaborate effectively, ensuring consistent and well-documented patient care throughout hospital stays.
Main Responsibilities of a Medical Scribe
A medical scribe's primary job is to document patient information and maintain medical records, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in healthcare settings. Their role helps doctors focus on patient care while keeping detailed records that support diagnosis, treatment, and follow-ups.
Documenting doctor-patient conversations: Scribes listen to and transcribe medical discussions during patient visits, ensuring that every detail is accurately recorded. This helps doctors focus on patient care while maintaining a clear medical history for future reference.
Taking detailed notes on patient conditions: During consultations, scribes record symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment plans. These notes provide a comprehensive overview of the patient’s health, allowing doctors to make informed decisions about ongoing care.
Updating electronic health records (EHR/EMR): Scribes input patient data into digital medical systems, keeping records organized and up-to-date. This ensures that all healthcare providers have access to accurate patient histories and treatment plans.
Writing medical terms and abbreviations correctly: Scribes ensure that medical terminology is properly recorded, preventing errors that could lead to misdiagnoses or incorrect treatments. This accuracy is crucial for patient safety and effective communication among healthcare professionals.
Recording patient vital signs, lab tests, and scans: Scribes update medical records with test results, imaging scans, and other diagnostic data. This information helps doctors make timely and accurate treatment decisions based on a patient’s current condition.
Gathering information from other healthcare providers: Scribes collect records from other facilities or specialists to create a complete patient history. This helps ensure continuity of care and prevents duplication of tests or treatments.
Entering billing codes under the doctor’s supervision: Scribes assist with medical billing by entering the correct codes for procedures and treatments. This helps streamline the billing process and reduces errors that could lead to insurance claim rejections.
Following up with doctors for verification: After documenting patient information, scribes review their notes with doctors to ensure accuracy. This step ensures that all medical records are complete and meet healthcare standards.
Retrieving patient records for follow-up visits: Scribes access previous medical records to provide doctors with relevant patient history during follow-up appointments. This helps doctors track progress and make necessary adjustments to treatment plans.
Preparing discharge summaries: Scribes compile discharge notes that include treatment details, medications, and follow-up instructions. This ensures that patients and their families understand their care plan after leaving the hospital.
Difference Between a Medical Scribe and a Transcriptionist
| Feature | Medical Scribe | Medical Transcriptionist |
|---|---|---|
| Work Process | Records patient encounters in real-time during consultations. | Transcribes dictated notes from doctors, usually from audio recordings. |
| Mode of Documentation | Live, on-site, or remote documentation. | Works with pre-recorded audio to create written records. |
| Interaction with Practitioners | Works directly with doctors during patient visits, assisting with documentation. | Works independently, transcribing recorded information after patient visits. |
| Level of Medical Knowledge Required | Requires strong medical terminology knowledge to accurately document real-time interactions. | Requires medical terminology knowledge but has time to reference and verify information. |
| Role in Patient Care | Assists doctors by reducing their documentation burden, allowing them to focus on patient care. | Supports documentation accuracy but does not assist in real-time patient care. |
| Work Setting | Works in hospitals, clinics, emergency rooms, or remotely via live connections. | Works in an office or remotely, listening to recorded consultations. |
| Main Responsibility | Completes electronic health records (EHR) during consultations and assists in updating charts. | Converts spoken medical notes into written records after consultations. |
| Turnaround Time | Immediate documentation during the consultation. | Typically works on a delayed schedule, depending on the availability of recordings. |
Advantages of Medical Scribing vs. Other PCE and HCE Roles
Working as a medical scribe provides a unique advantage for individuals pursuing a career in medicine. Compared to other patient care experience (PCE) and healthcare experience (HCE) roles, scribing offers faster entry, broader exposure to medical specialties, and deeper learning opportunities. These benefits can significantly strengthen a medical school application and prepare students for a long-term career in healthcare.
Shorter Training and Certification Period
Medical scribes can start working after just a few weeks of training, unlike roles such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant (MA), or Patient Care Technician (PCT), which often require months or even years of training and certification.Exposure to a Wide Range of Medical Specialties
Scribes work across multiple healthcare departments, including emergency medicine, cardiology, dermatology, and neurology. This allows premed students to gain diverse medical knowledge, unlike roles like surgical technician, phlebotomist, or pharmacy technician, which provide more specialized and limited experience.Greater Learning Opportunities
Since scribes document practitioner-patient interactions in real time, they develop a deeper understanding of medical conditions, symptoms, diagnostic processes, and treatment methods. Unlike medical transcriptionists, who primarily convert recorded notes into text, scribes witness the entire healthcare process, from assessment to diagnosis and patient monitoring.Preparation for a Long-Term Medical Career
Beyond enhancing medical school applications, scribing helps students build essential skills for a future in healthcare. By closely interacting with physicians, nurses, EMTs, and lab personnel, scribes develop valuable clinical insights and professional connections that can benefit their medical careers.
Secondary Advantages of Working as a Medical Scribe
While medical scribing is not a high-paying job, it offers better compensation than many entry-level positions. The average hourly wage of approximately $14 is nearly double the federal minimum wage of $7.25. Salary estimates vary across sources, with figures ranging from $30,225 (Talent.com), $32,506 (Glassdoor), and $32,616 (Indeed) to a high of $35,922 (Salary.com).
Beyond earnings, medical scribing provides valuable career exposure. Those who decide against becoming a physician can still explore other healthcare-related roles, many of which allow them to contribute meaningfully to patient care:
Medical Records and Health Information Specialist: Works in hospital records departments, managing patient files and electronic health records (EHR). Some employers require certification, but experience in medical documentation is highly valued. Median salary: $51,840.
Insurance Verification Specialist: Requires proficiency in medical terminology, EHR coding, and data management. Strong communication skills are essential for handling patient insurance claims. Median salary: $60,936.
Many medical scribes eventually pursue degrees in healthcare specializations, leading to careers such as:
Registered Nurse (RN) – Median salary: $75,330
Nurse Practitioner (NP) – Requires an advanced nursing degree. Median salary: $111,680
Physician Assistant (PA) – Median salary: $115,390
Physician – Median salary: $208,000
Overall, medical scribing is an excellent stepping stone for premed students, offering hands-on clinical experience before medical school. Beyond strengthening medical school applications, it helps develop essential knowledge and skills, building a strong foundation for a successful healthcare career.
How Medical Scribe Experience Enhances Healthcare Careers
Working as a medical scribe offers invaluable hands-on experience for those pursuing a career in healthcare. By closely observing doctors and other medical professionals, scribes gain insight into medical decision-making, patient interactions, and clinical workflows. This role helps them develop critical skills, preparing them for future careers in medicine, nursing, or healthcare administration.
Understanding Medical Decision-Making (MDM): Medical scribes get a unique chance to see how doctors make important medical decisions. They observe how practitioners analyze a patient’s symptoms, medical history, and test results to diagnose illnesses. This hands-on experience helps scribes understand the reasoning behind clinical decisions.
Learning Differential Diagnosis (DDx): Many diseases have similar symptoms, making diagnosis challenging. For example, chest pain could indicate a heart attack, acid reflux, or an infection. Scribes watch doctors use clinical reasoning, lab tests, and scans to rule out conditions and arrive at the correct diagnosis. This exposure helps them develop critical thinking skills in medicine.
Interpreting Test and Scan Reports: Medical scribes regularly enter patient data from tests like blood work, EKGs, and CT scans. Over time, they become familiar with reading and understanding these reports, giving them a head start in medical training.
Learning Medical Billing and Insurance Claims: Scribes often assist in documenting medical procedures, medications, and treatments for insurance purposes. By working under a doctor’s supervision, they learn about insurance codes, billing processes, and the likelihood of claim approvals, which is essential knowledge for anyone entering the medical field.
Understanding Healthcare Facility Workflow: Hospitals and clinics can be unpredictable, with busy periods followed by quieter moments. Medical scribes observe how experienced healthcare providers handle these changes efficiently, teaching them time management and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
Developing Bedside Manner and Patient Interaction Skills: Patients have different personalities—some are calm and cooperative, while others may be anxious, fearful, or even aggressive. Scribes watch how doctors communicate with various patients, helping them develop essential interpersonal skills for future medical careers.
Learning Coping Strategies from Practitioners: Working in healthcare is stressful, and managing pressure is crucial for long-term success. By observing doctors and nurses, scribes learn how experienced professionals handle high workloads and emotional stress. These lessons help them build resilience and prepare for demanding medical careers.
The Best Premed Option For Gaining Clinical Experience
Gaining clinical experience is a key requirement for building a strong medical school application. In fact, a 2020 U.S. News survey of medical school faculty emphasized the importance of healthcare experience in admissions. One senior admissions committee member even called the lack of clinical exposure a “deal-breaker.”
Research supports this idea. A 2018 study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that applicants with experience as medical scribes had a much higher acceptance rate into medical school. Another study in 2021, which surveyed hundreds of medical students, revealed that those with scribing experience—less than a third of the group—felt more confident in gathering patient history and writing medical notes.
Premed students have multiple ways to gain clinical experience. Medical school admissions committees classify this experience into two main categories: Patient Care Experience (PCE) and Health Care Experience (HCE).
PCE (Patient Care Experience): Involves direct patient interaction, including physical contact and responsibility for specific aspects of patient care.
HCE (Health Care Experience): Involves working in a healthcare setting without directly caring for patients.
At first glance, PCE roles may seem better because they involve hands-on work. However, medical school committees generally prefer a mix of both PCE and HCE. This is because entry-level PCE roles for premed students usually require minimal medical knowledge and offer limited learning opportunities. In contrast, HCE roles like medical scribing provide broader and deeper exposure to healthcare settings.
Less-Known Facts About Medical Scribing
Real-Time Medical Documentation: Unlike medical transcriptionists who work with recorded audio, scribes document patient interactions during consultations, providing immediate, accurate records. (HealthIT.gov - EHR Documentation)
Exposure to Medical Decision-Making: Scribes gain valuable insight into how doctors make medical decisions, providing a behind-the-scenes look at differential diagnosis and clinical reasoning. (National Library of Medicine - Clinical Decision Making)
Hands-On Medical Knowledge: Scribes witness complex medical procedures in real-time, gaining a deeper understanding of various medical conditions, treatments, and patient care techniques. (MedlinePlus - Medical Procedures)
Work Across Multiple Specialties: Medical scribes work in diverse medical departments, such as cardiology, dermatology, and neurology, offering students a broad range of experiences. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Medical Specialties)
Job Stability and Growth: The demand for medical scribes is rising as healthcare facilities increasingly adopt electronic health records (EHR). Many scribes eventually move into other healthcare roles, including nursing, physician assistance, and health administration. (Bureau of Labor Statistics - Healthcare Jobs Outlook)
Networking Opportunities: As scribes work closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals, they build valuable connections that can lead to mentorships or future job opportunities in the healthcare field. (USA.gov - Healthcare Careers)
FAQs About Medical Scribing
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A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. Training programs teach medical terminology and scribing techniques, and certification can enhance job opportunities.
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Certification programs typically last between two weeks and two months, depending on the program and whether it is in-person or online.
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The average hourly wage for medical scribes is around $14, though it varies by location and healthcare facility. Some estimates range from $30,000 to $36,000 annually.
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Yes, many medical scribes go on to pursue careers as nurses, physician assistants, or even doctors. The experience gained as a scribe can also lead to administrative roles in healthcare.
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While medical scribes do not provide direct patient care, they interact closely with patients during consultations, documenting their symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment plans in real-time.