In the healthcare industry, becoming a medical scribe is an increasingly popular career choice. However, there’s often a debate about whether medical scribe certification or experience is more important when it comes to securing a job. Both factors play a role in the development of a competent medical scribe, but what truly matters to employers, and what should aspiring scribes focus on? In this blog, we’ll explore the pros and cons of certification and experience in the medical scribe field, helping you determine which one carries more weight in 2025.

What is a Medical Scribe?

A medical scribe is a trained professional who assists healthcare providers, such as doctors and nurses, by documenting patient information during medical exams. They help in ensuring that patient records are accurate, complete, and up-to-date, thus improving workflow in medical practices. Medical scribes often work alongside physicians, recording medical histories, diagnostic results, and treatment plans in real-time. You can learn more about medical scribes and their role in this article.

The role of a medical scribe is critical, especially with the ongoing demand for efficient healthcare delivery. As healthcare systems adopt electronic health records (EHRs), the need for skilled scribes has only increased.

Understanding Medical Scribe Certification

Medical scribe certification is a recognized qualification that verifies an individual's expertise in medical scribing. This certification involves training in medical terminology, anatomy, patient interaction, and documentation practices. Those who obtain medical scribe certification complete an accredited program that equips them with the essential skills to support healthcare professionals efficiently.

Various organizations, such as the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the American College of Medical Scribe Specialists (ACMSO), offer medical scribe certification to ensure individuals meet industry standards and possess the necessary competencies to work effectively in medical environments.

Why Certification Matters

Increased Credibility and Job Opportunities
A medical scribe certification can make an individual stand out in the competitive job market. Many employers look for certified scribes because it demonstrates a certain level of professionalism and proficiency in medical documentation. While experience is important, certification often acts as a baseline qualification that shows a candidate has undergone formal training.

Knowledge of Medical Terminology
Certification programs focus heavily on teaching medical terminology, anatomy, and the specific nuances of medical documentation. This specialized knowledge can be crucial in ensuring accurate records are maintained, reducing the risk of errors that could compromise patient care.

Advancement and Salary Potential
Certified medical scribes may have more opportunities for career advancement, as they possess a higher level of expertise. Additionally, certified scribes often earn higher wages compared to non-certified individuals. Employers are more likely to offer competitive salaries to those who demonstrate a commitment to professional development.

The Importance of Experience in Medical Scribing

While certification provides essential foundational knowledge, experience in the medical field cannot be underestimated. Practical, on-the-job experience offers unique insights that formal training simply cannot replicate. The experience gained while working as a medical scribe exposes individuals to a variety of clinical settings, patient types, and physician specialties, giving them a deeper understanding of the nuances involved in documentation.

Hands-On Knowledge of Medical Environments
Through experience, a medical scribe gains real-world exposure to healthcare environments, which allows them to develop a more thorough understanding of the daily workflow, patient interactions, and the types of documents they will be handling. Working directly with healthcare professionals in real-life scenarios helps scribes fine-tune their ability to manage documentation under pressure.

Adaptability in Different Medical Specialties
Experience also provides medical scribes with the opportunity to work in various specialties, such as pediatrics, cardiology, or emergency care. This versatility enhances their ability to handle a diverse range of medical records and terminology. As they gain exposure to different physician preferences and workflows, experienced scribes become more efficient in their documentation practices.

Faster Adaptation and Better Performance
Scribes with hands-on experience can quickly adapt to new technologies and practices, such as different EHR systems or the introduction of new healthcare regulations. Their familiarity with the operational aspects of medical facilities enables them to perform their duties with greater speed and accuracy.

Certification vs. Experience: What Do Employers Value More?

When it comes to hiring medical scribes, employers tend to value a combination of both certification and experience. However, the weight placed on each factor may vary depending on the employer’s needs and the level of responsibility associated with the job.

Entry-Level Positions
For entry-level positions, employers often prefer candidates who have completed a certified program. This is because certification provides an assurance of competency, even if the individual has little to no experience in the field. In such cases, employers may be willing to offer on-the-job training to help the new scribe gain practical experience.

Experienced Scribes
In contrast, employers looking for experienced scribes may place more value on a candidate’s professional history than on certification. Scribes who have worked in a variety of medical settings and have developed strong documentation skills are highly sought after. However, certification could still provide an edge, particularly when the employer is looking for standardized qualifications.

Specialized Roles
In specialized medical environments, such as surgery or cardiology, both certification and experience become more important. A certified scribe with experience in a specific specialty will be highly valued, as they will be able to handle complex cases and medical terminology with ease.

Which Should You Prioritize: Certification or Experience?

The answer to whether certification or experience matters more depends on your current situation. If you're just starting out in the medical field, obtaining certification is a good way to gain foundational knowledge and increase your chances of landing a job. Once you have your foot in the door, gaining experience will help you refine your skills and become a more efficient scribe.

If you're already working as a medical scribe and have years of experience, furthering your education and obtaining certification can enhance your career prospects. By combining your real-world experience with formal qualifications, you will be better positioned to secure higher-paying roles and take on more responsibilities.

Lesser-Known Facts

Medical Scribe Certification Can Be Completed Online
Most medical scribe certification programs are available online, allowing aspiring scribes to complete their training from anywhere. Many of these online courses include virtual practice exams and interactive modules that simulate real-world medical environments.
Source: American College of Medical Scribe Specialists (ACMSO)

Medical Scribes are More Common in Certain Specialties
While many medical scribes work in general practice, they are particularly in demand in specialties like emergency medicine, orthopedics, and cardiology. These fields often have higher documentation needs due to the complexity of cases.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Certification Requirements Vary by State
In the United States, the certification requirements for medical scribes can vary based on state regulations. Some states may require additional training or registration to work as a medical scribe.
Source: National Healthcareer Association

Medical Scribes Help Improve Patient Care
Studies show that medical scribes can significantly improve patient care by reducing physician burnout and increasing the time healthcare providers spend with patients, leading to better overall satisfaction.
Source: Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)

Medical Scribing Can Lead to Other Healthcare Careers
Many medical scribes use their role as a stepping stone into other healthcare careers, including becoming physician assistants, nurses, or even medical doctors. The experience gained from working in the medical field is invaluable for advancing in healthcare careers.
Source: Medical Scribe Training

Experience Helps Scribes Adapt Faster to EHR Systems
Although certification provides foundational knowledge, experience in medical scribing allows individuals to quickly adapt to different Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, which vary widely from one healthcare organization to another.
Source: HealthIT.gov

The Demand for Medical Scribes Is Rising
As more healthcare providers switch to electronic health records, the demand for medical scribes is expected to grow by 13% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Job of a Medical Scribe Can Include Travel
Some medical scribes are employed by companies that require them to travel to different healthcare facilities. These traveling scribes are often needed for specialty clinics, hospitals, or research studies where there is a higher volume of patients.
Source: Medical Scribe Training

Medical Scribes Improve Documentation Speed and Accuracy
Medical scribes are trained to take accurate notes quickly, which helps increase the speed of documentation. This efficiency allows healthcare providers to focus more on patient care and less on administrative tasks.
Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Scribes Can Work in Telemedicine
As telemedicine continues to rise in popularity, many medical scribes are being employed in virtual healthcare settings, where they assist physicians by documenting patient interactions during online consultations.
Source: Telemedicine and Telehealth Network

Conclusion

Ultimately, both certification and experience are essential in the field of medical scribing. Certification helps you gain a solid foundation, while experience allows you to grow and refine your skills. Whether you’re just starting or looking to advance in your career, balancing these two aspects will make you a more effective and competitive medical scribe.At ACMSO, we offer medical scribe certifications that provide comprehensive training, preparing you for a rewarding career in healthcare documentation. Whether you are just entering the field or looking to enhance your qualifications, our certification programs can help you reach your career goals.

FAQs:

A certified medical scribe has undergone formal training and passed an accredited certification exam, demonstrating knowledge in medical terminology, anatomy, and documentation standards. Non-certified scribes may have on-the-job experience but lack formal education in these areas.
Yes, it’s possible to become a medical scribe without certification, especially if you have previous healthcare experience. However, certification can increase your job prospects and earning potential.
The certification process typically takes a few months to complete, depending on the program. Some accelerated programs may take as little as six weeks.
Experience and certification are both valuable. Experience provides hands-on knowledge, while certification validates your expertise. Employers often seek a balance of both.
The demand for medical scribes is expected to grow due to the increasing use of EHR systems and the need for healthcare providers to streamline their documentation processes.

Medical Scribe Certification vs. Experience: Which One Matters More?

What is a Medical Scribe?