Medical scribe

BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2013

A friend of mine does this and she basically follows a physician around and documents his encounters with patients. She even goes in to surgery with him and documents his actions and statements during surgery. She got her degree in Health Information Technology. Hope this helps!

Kdrenee · Jan 9, 2013

A friend of mine does this and she basically follows a physician around and documents his encounters with patients. She even goes in to surgery with him and documents his actions and statements during surgery. She got her degree in Health Information Technology. Hope this helps!

thanks for your reply! Thats interesting.. I applied for the job I found the only requirements were to be in nursing program. its better money than im making as a pca so hopefully it will work out.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jan 9, 2013

Yup - that's what a scribe does.

CPOE (computerized physician order entry) as mandated in the Federal "Meaningful Use" regulations is a good idea . . . in theory. However, it seems like no one actually realized that many physicians are not very receptive to typing in their own orders & are either flat-out refusing to do so or are just unable to do so with any degree of efficiency (hunt and peck, can't use the computer interface, etc.) Some docs are perfectly fine doing their own orders, and over time (as the old guys/gals retire), this may become the norm but it is not at this point.

So - TA DAH - this situation has given birth to a brand new health care job. The scribe acts as the physician's documenter by doing all the keyboard & mouse clicking stuff. I can't believe you'd need a degree to perform this job. The doc is supposed to oversee & review/approve before they move on to the next patient. Kinda shoots down some of the 'cost savings' that was used to partially justify CPOE in the first place, right? Yet another example of the rule-makers not having a clue about how health care actually functions.

Kdrenee · Jan 9, 2013

From what I understand you don't need a degree, or at least the job I applied for you didn't need one. Hmm, but it sounds like something easy that pays decent money while in nursing school!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2013

Scribes are individuals trained in medical documentation who assist a physician throughout his or her shift. They serve as a personal assistant to the doctor to help make them more efficient and productive.
The primary function of a scribe is the creation and maintenance of the patient's medical record, which is done under the supervision of the attending physician. The scribe will document the patient's story, the physician's interaction with the patient, the procedures performed, the results of laboratory studies, and other pertinent information. This is accomplished by using a WOW (workstation on wheels), which the scribe takes with him or her throughout the shift.
Additional functions of a scribe may include assisting with the patient's disposition, documenting consultations, and notifying the physician when important studies are completed.

essentially you follow them around and write in the chart for them and put the orders in the computer for them becasue they don't have "time". It a busy job and is a huge responsibility that you do it correctly for to put in the wrong orders IS a BIG deal. You will be busy and there will be NO room for any errors.

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Jan 10, 2013

Has anyone ever heard of a medical scribe? If so what is the job like? I found a medical scribe job in the newspaper and was interested in seeing what it's about.
Thanks!!!

I was an ER Scribe for one month. I went with the physician/APRN/PA to do the initial assessment. I completed the assessment in their EMR. I had patients sign off on their billing info (admissions does this at the hospital I currently work at). I got lunch for the physicians/APRNs/PAs. And I was a general gopher/assistant for them. We never input orders, only assessment data.

The scribes worked for the medical group.

I hated it. Bottom of the medial food chain and often had to work closely with providers with really bad attitudes. Always short, bad scheduling with little input and many requirements (a month at a time!), and could never find someone to switch.

It was also minimum wage. I felt like there was too much involve for that kind of pay. I make way more at a gas station. The main reason most of the scribes were doing it was for the hours for med/PA school and the recommendation letter they give.

Another hospital in the area employs their scribes directly and I hear that they have much better conditions for the scribes. Not all experiences are like mine.

Kdrenee · Jan 10, 2013

I was an ER Scribe for one month. I went with the physician/APRN/PA to do the initial assessment. I completed the assessment in their EMR. I had patients sign off on their billing info (admissions does this at the hospital I currently work at). I got lunch for the physicians/APRNs/PAs. And I was a general gopher/assistant for them. We never input orders, only assessment data.
The scribes worked for the medical group.
I hated it. Bottom of the medial food chain and often had to work closely with providers with really bad attitudes. Always short, bad scheduling with little input and many requirements (a month at a time!), and could never find someone to switch.
It was also minimum wage. I felt like there was too much involve for that kind of pay. I make way more at a gas station. The main reason most of the scribes were doing it was for the hours for med/PA school and the recommendation letter they give.
Another hospital in the area employs their scribes directly and I hear that they have much better conditions for the scribes. Not all experiences are like mine.

Thanks for your input. The place I applied for requires you to be pursuing a medical degree, PA, or NP. Since I'm In a nursing program in may, and plan to be an NP someday they said I am a good candidate. The pay is anywhere between 13-16 dollars an hour. After hearing from you all idk if I want to take a chance. I'm a PCA now and only make 9 bucks an hour. Would you do it for 12 an hour? I want to stay in the medical field while in school but $9 an hr Judy doesn't cut it.

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Jan 10, 2013

Thanks for your input. The place I applied for requires you to be pursuing a medical degree, PA, or NP. Since I'm In a nursing program in may, and plan to be an NP someday they said I am a good candidate. The pay is anywhere between 13-16 dollars an hour. After hearing from you all idk if I want to take a chance. I'm a PCA now and only make 9 bucks an hour. Would you do it for 12 an hour? I want to stay in the medical field while in school but $9 an hr Judy doesn't cut it.

That pay is much better than what I was getting. I doubt it would be as bad as my experience. The employers (the physicians) just didn't care much about us.