What is it like to be a medical scribe? Does it get boring?
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a medical scribe? Does the job get boring after a while? Here's a behind-the-scenes look at what it's really like to work as a medical scribe. Spoiler alert: it can be more exciting than you might think!
How I got interested in the position
I first heard of medical scribing while I was finishing up my freshman year in college. I recall a professor describing the medical scribe profession during one of her lectures; she highly recommended it for pre-med students like myself due to its hands-on medical education and valuable experience. This made me instantly intrigued to learn more about the role so I started researching medical scribes and quickly found that this would be an excellent option for furthering my medical knowledge before applying to medical school. Upon learning more about the position, I began interested in pursuing medical scribing as a way to gain valuable medical skills and get real-world experience within multiple healthcare settings. As time went on, my interest in medical scribing only increased tenfold, eventually leading me to apply for the position I am currently located at.
The medical scribe training process
The medical scribe training process is incredibly complex, but it's one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. Medical scribe training via the ACMSO costs $150, and has been proven to help medical professionals prepare for medical scribing. With this certification under your belt, you'll be able to immediately jump into the highly sought-after medical scribing field with confidence. Honing your skills in medical scribing requires dedication and hard work, but the results speak for themselves when it comes to working in such a crucial industry.
A day in the life of a medical scribe
Working as a medical scribe is something that can be both challenging and rewarding. A medical scribe helps medical personnel by providing medical transcription services such as taking medical histories, entering medical orders into patient medical records, and documenting all healthcare activities. Being a medical scribe isn’t just about recording information—it’s also about making sure that medical professionals have the time they need to devote to their patients while still keeping paperwork up-to-date and accurate. Each day in the life of a medical scribe brings different tasks, conversations, and experiences, making it an exciting and ever-changing job. It's no wonder why many people find satisfaction in being a medical scribe—it's a job that requires both skill and intelligence!
The pros and cons of the job
Working as a medical scribe is an incredibly rewarding job, but it also comes with some drawbacks. On the plus side, medical scribes get to be in the medical setting, working closely with medical staff and patients. This means that medical scribes get to hone their medical knowledge by witnessing firsthand medical encounters and performing medical tasks, such as updating medical records or entering medical data. However, being a medical scribe also entails making long hours and dealing with stressful situations. Working closely under time pressure can be taxing, and medical knowledge needs to be kept up-to-date at all times in order to provide the best care for patients. Nevertheless, those who take on the challenge find that it’s a job that’s both challenging and rewarding.
My thoughts on whether or not it gets boring
While medical scribing can be a demanding job, I don't think it ever gets boring. Every patient has their own story to tell and every medical case can bring its own set of challenges. Not every symptom or medical condition is the same, so you never know what kind of medical situation you'll find yourself in next. Sure, there are times when medical scribing can be monotonous, but those moments of sameness only add up to a fraction of the whole medical experience. In between those dull moments are the exciting and unexpected episodes that make medical scribing worth it; these keep us engaged and push us out of our comfort zone as we strive to grow and learn as medical professionals.
If you're detail-oriented, good at multitasking, and interested in the medical field, a career as a medical scribe might be perfect for you. I got interested in the position after seeing how intrigued my sister was by her job as a scribe. Scribes play an important role in assisting physicians with documentation and patient care. The training process is usually around 8 weeks long and requires passing a final exam. Once you're certified, you'll be shadowing a physician during your shifts and documenting everything that happens. There are pros and cons to every job, but overall I've found that being a medical scribe is an incredibly rewarding experience. If you think this could be the right fit for you, I encourage you to enroll in ACMSO's medical scribe training program today.