What is a Medical Scribe?

-Medical scribes, also known as clinical scribes, are highly-trained medical documentation specialists who essentially assist physicians, physician's assistants, nurse practitioners and other healthcare providers with medical documentation.

-Medical scribes are often present for patient-doctor encounters, and they put this information into the medical record or medical note.

-Medical scribes can work in hospitals, clinics, emergency rooms or urgent care centers.

-Being a clinical scribe is stimulating and at times challenging.

-Many premedical students pursue medical scribe jobs as a way to gain experience and knowledge prior to entrance or application to medical school.

-Clinical or medical scribes work with all specialties including nephrology, dermatology, gastroenterology, otolaryngology, surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine, internal medicine, and more.

- Medical scribes work in emergency rooms, hospitals and clinics.

-Training for medical scribe jobs is highly variable.  

-Training to become a medical scribe includes medical terminology training, training in medical records, patient flow, and patient confidentiality.


Please see this video for a first-hand account of what a me

How Do You Become a Medical Scribe?

Complexity of application processes vary state by state and company by company.  Some of the nation-wide medical scribe service companies, have a streamlined, prompt, online application process to become a medical scribe.  The interview process is also usually very straightforward.  


A great first step is to increase your knowledge base prior to becoming a scribe or interviewing to become a scribe.   A great resource is the Ultimate Medical Scribe Handbook: http://www.amazon.com/The-Ultimate-Medical-Scribe-Handbook/dp/1482344580/
It is affordable and will give you a headstart on everyone else out there!

How Do I Get Medical Scribes in My Medical Practice?

There are companies that provide medical scribe services to physicians and healthcare providers.
Most scribe companies outline their policies on their websites. We at MSI recommend only those companies even offer cost-free, risk-free trials of their medical scribe services.  For more information about the benefits of having medical scribes in your practice, please see our page on medical scribe information for providers.