Are there any Medical Jobs that ADCOMS like?

[swim97]

---

Members don't see this ad.

There's a company called ScribeAmerica near my school that many of my friends have worked for. I've asked them about their experiences, and it seems like they're trading their sanity for clinical hours. 8 hour shifts of non-stop focus and extremely high levels of stress for 11$ an hour doesn't sound particularly appealing to me. I'm running out of money, and I may need to find a job to fund my daily expenses, are there any other jobs out there, for premeds, that can count for clinical hours?

 

[Goro]

There's a company called ScribeAmerica near my school that many of my friends have worked for. I've asked them about their experiences, and it seems like they're trading their sanity for clinical hours. 8 hour shifts of non-stop focus and extremely high levels of stress for 11$ an hour doesn't sound particularly appealing to me. I'm running out of money, and I may need to find a job to fund my daily expenses, are there any other jobs out there, for premeds, that can count for clinical hours?

Any job where you have patient interaction is fine.
Phlebotomy
PT
Resp Tech
Hospice
First responder/paramedic
CNA
Medical ass't

are some that come to mind

To me, scribing is fine, it's a job...employment is always good. But it's a passive activity and is more like glorified shadowing.

 

[907914]

To me, scribing is fine, it's a job...employment is always good.

This statement is hilarious to me in that scribing has exploded as what seems like the #1 thing premeds are doing to get clinical experience. At least from my conversations, if a premed is not a scribe then they are an EMT...

 

[PA_dud3]

This statement is hilarious to me in that scribing has exploded as what seems like the #1 premeds are doing to get clinical experience. At least from my conversations, if a premed is not a scribe then they are an EMT...

The best ones are the ones that act like they are Gods Among Pre-Meds because they ride in the back of the ambulance on the weekends.

 

[Cynaic]

Any job where you have patient interaction is fine.
Phlebotomy
PT
Resp Tech
Hospice
First responder/paramedic
CNA
Medical ass't

are some that come to mind

To me, scribing is fine, it's a job...employment is always good. But it's a passive activity and is more like glorified shadowing.

How would you feel about a position called scribe where the scribe takes patients into rooms, takes histories, talks to patients, preps and assists with injections, removes casts/sutures/staples, and a few more things while also scribing the notes?

I think it's slightly different from what people do as an ER scribe traditionally but I've never done that so I'm not sure.

 

[907914]

How would you feel about a position called scribe where the scribe takes patients into rooms, takes histories, talks to patients, preps and assists with injections, removes casts/sutures/staples, and a few more things while also scribing the notes?

I think it's slightly different from what people do as an ER scribe traditionally but I've never done that so I'm not sure.

What you are describing sounds to me like a medical assistant at a clinic who calls the position "scribe" so that you don't have to be certified and they can pay you less.

 

[keanureaves]

What you are describing sounds to me like a medical assistant at a clinic who calls the position "scribe" so that you don't have to be certified and they can pay you less.

Isn't the certification for MAs more a check box than an actual requirement? I've worked in clinics with trainers essentially doing MA stuff without the same certifications.

 

[907914]

Isn't the certification for MAs more a check box than an actual requirement? I've worked in clinics with trainers essentially doing MA stuff without the same certifications.

You are correct I believe for most states. I keep forgetting that my state is the most strict with this sort of thing!

 

[PA_dud3]

How would you feel about a position called scribe where the scribe takes patients into rooms, takes histories, talks to patients, preps and assists with injections, removes casts/sutures/staples, and a few more things while also scribing the notes?

I think it's slightly different from what people do as an ER scribe traditionally but I've never done that so I'm not sure.

This is Very Similar to my scribe job. It is essentially a MA gig. The Nephrologist I work for calls it "Administrative Assistant" because I work close to him frequently and I take on additional responsibilities.

 

[Kardio]

The best ones are the ones that act like they are Gods Among Pre-Meds because they ride in the back of the ambulance on the weekends.

There are some interesting personalities that EMS work attracts. It can be very rewarding, but I would take the overly dramatized reenactments from weekend warriors with a grain of salt.

 

[keanureaves]

You are correct I believe for most states. I keep forgetting that my state is the most strict with this sort of thing!

Gotcha! Well, to answer @Cynaic original question, it would definitely help if someone looks through your description of the job, but to someone glancing over job titles in your app those responsibilities aren't traditionally carried in the "scribe" position, and could possibly be looked over for that reason.

 

[PA_dud3]

There are some interesting personalities that EMS work attracts. It can be very rewarding, but I would take the overly dramatized reenactments from weekend warriors with a grain of salt.

Oh of course, no disrespect meant to EMT's, but I do have a feeling a lot of the stories I hear are somewhat embellished, lol.

 

[Cynaic]

Gotcha! Well, to answer @Cynaic original question, it would definitely help if someone looks through your description of the job, but to someone glancing over job titles in your app those responsibilities aren't traditionally carried in the "scribe" position, and could possibly be looked over for that reason.

Do you think it could be listed as a medical assistant position or Scribe/MA so no one overlooks that portion of it? We are always referred to as scribes but now that I'm looking back at it in the original job listing the title was advertised as "Medical Scribe/Medical Assistant".

I can also just ask my employer.

 

[Kirby Smart]

Any job where you have patient interaction is fine.
Phlebotomy
PT
Resp Tech
Hospice
First responder/paramedic
CNA
Medical ass't

are some that come to mind

To me, scribing is fine, it's a job...employment is always good. But it's a passive activity and is more like glorified shadowing.

So are you generally more impressed by say an MA or CNA?

 

[LizzyM]

So are you generally more impressed by say an MA or CNA?

Pretty much the same thing as far as how adcoms see it.

There's a company called ScribeAmerica near my school that many of my friends have worked for. I've asked them about their experiences, and it seems like they're trading their sanity for clinical hours. 8 hour shifts of non-stop focus and extremely high levels of stress for 11$ an hour doesn't sound particularly appealing to me. I'm running out of money, and I may need to find a job to fund my daily expenses, are there any other jobs out there, for premeds, that can count for clinical hours?

Wait until you pay for the privilege of working as intensely for twice as many hours per day as an M3 and M4.

 

[Kirby Smart]

Pretty much the same thing as far as how adcoms see it.



Wait until you pay for the privilege of working as intensely for twice as many hours per day as an M3 and M4.

Sorry just to clarify, MA and CNA are seen in the same way as a Scribe? I’m assuming EMT or RN are seen more favorably?

 

[LizzyM]

Sorry just to clarify, MA and CNA are seen in the same way as a Scribe? I’m assuming EMT or RN are seen more favorably?

You asked if MA and CNA are seen the same way. I said yes. Now you me to rank MA, CNA, EMT, Scribe and RN. Frankly, I don't have time for this but I will say that RN would raise more eyebrows than the rest because it is a health profession whereas the others are not considered professions (not self-governing) .

 

[Goro]

Sorry just to clarify, MA and CNA are seen in the same way as a Scribe?

No, MA or CNA have more active roles in patient contact.

EMT-B is a glorified bus driver in my book.

 

[Kirby Smart]

You asked if MA and CNA are seen the same way. I said yes. Now you me to rank MA, CNA, EMT, Scribe and RN. Frankly, I don't have time for this but I will say that RN would raise more eyebrows than the rest because it is a health profession whereas the others are not considered professions (not self-governing) .

Haha sorry, should have phrased the question, "So are you generally more impressed by say an MA or CNA than a scribe?". Was just trying to ask if these are seen as more hands-on than scribing

 

[907914]

Haha sorry, should have phrased the question, "So are you generally more impressed by say an MA or CNA than a scribe?". Was just trying to ask if these are seen as more hands-on than scribing

Anyone can scribe and scribing is passive/non-patient-interactive. Scribe probably knows more about what it is like to be a doctor, but MA/CNA shows more of an interest and capability to work with patients.

 

[Kirby Smart]

No, MA or CNA have more active roles in patient contact.

EMT-B is a glorified bus driver in my book.

Haha, to think I once considered paying $2000+ to do EMT-B thinking it was coveted clinical experience.

 

[LizzyM]

Getting one's hands (gloves) dirty is seen as more involved than just handling a keyboard.

 

[907914]

Getting one's hands (gloves) dirty is seen as more involved than just handling a keyboard.

What about getting both your gloves and the keyboard dirty? Had a coworker who got stool on his glove and forgot to take the gloves off before typing on the keyboard. This guy should be set.

 

[LizzyM]

What about getting both your gloves and the keyboard dirty? Had a coworker who got stool on his glove and forgot to take the gloves off before typing on the keyboard. This guy should be set.

😱

 

[907914]

😱

I see you are equally impressed lol I don’t remember if the O&P was positive or not....But it was icky nonetheless.

 

[Skeletorr]

What about getting both your gloves and the keyboard dirty? Had a coworker who got stool on his glove and forgot to take the gloves off before typing on the keyboard. This guy should be set.

He could certainly smell the patient in that scenario. Apart from the keyboard, this was common in my time as a CNA. Scrubs weren’t off limits either

 

[Cornfed101]

He could certainly smell the patient in that scenario. Apart from the keyboard, this was common in my time as a CNA. Scrubs too

So in cases where the smell is burning in your nostrils until you take a shower does travel time count as clinical time?

 

[thespitfire]

I'm curious (this thread inspired the question). I'm a non-trad. My only clinical experience is working 1 yr + as a medical scribe. That's my official title, but I do much more than passively scribe - I take vitals, conduct interviews/take histories, and participate in counseling under the doctor's supervision (for example, if someone is trying to make a lifestyle change and wants suggestions on how to build a habit, I can provide that). I was descriptive about this in my personal statement and secondaries. I didn't realize "medical assistant" was a more accurate title. can I rest assured this will come across? I'm strongly interested in primary care, and have built relationships with patients in the practice I currently work at.

 

[kenykj49]

Thoughts on chief scribe? Sorry to hi-jack the thread.

 

[keanureaves]

Thoughts on chief scribe? Sorry to hi-jack the thread.

Probably extra brownie points for filling a leadership role. I hold this position and it's pretty underwhelming on my end with more busy work that's dressed as responsibility. Depends on the way you spin it, as most people would likely agree.

 

[907914]

busy work that's dressed as responsibility

This has been probably 80% of my leadership roles. Do the easy work, get the leadership brownie points.

 

[BoneBroCO]

No, MA or CNA have more active roles in patient contact.

EMT-B is a glorified bus driver in my book.

What are your feelings on EMT as an ED tech?

 

[pBar]

Honestly glad that the hospital I was going to scribe for cut the scribe program before I started. If I had not lost that job, I would have never secured the study coordinator position I have now which is much more patient interaction heavy.

Do whatever you will enjoy and get patient contact from. Be passionate about it and find ways to improve yourself.

 

[Goro]

What are your feelings on EMT as an ED tech?

It's fine

 

[deleted966164]

@Goro what are your feelings on ED techs. Period.

 

[Goro]

@Goro what are your feelings on ED techs. Period.

What do ED techs do?

 

[BoneBroCO]

What do ED techs do?

Triage, vitals, IV's, blood draws, urinary catheters, blood control, wound management, CPR, managing patient airways, EKG's, basic patient needs like help to the bathroom, grabbing blankets or water, splinting ortho injuries, and we do a lot of hands on help for the physicians when they do procedures like chest tubes, central lines, etc... There is more but these are the most common.

 

[Cornfed101]

Triage, vitals, IV's, blood draws, urinary catheters, blood control, wound management, CPR, managing patient airways, EKG's, basic patient needs like help to the bathroom, grabbing blankets or water, splinting ortho injuries, and we do a lot of hands on help for the physicians when they do procedures like chest tubes, central lines, etc... There is more but these are the most common.

Why is it a question if this is good experience? It sounds great

 

[deleted966164]

@Goro any stuff in the ED that does not require formal licensure.

Basic phlebotomy, patient transfer, procedure assistance... anything clinical that does not require one to be an LPN, RN etc...

 

[BoneBroCO]

Why is it a question if this is good experience? It sounds great

Well all it is, is being an EMT in the ED rather than on a rig, but EMT's that work on a rig get all kinds of crap here on SDN. Granted the things we do are slightly different, but as Goro stated "EMT-B is a glorified bus driver in my book." This is where the concern comes from. I'm not really worried though, because to me it's all about what you get out of the experience, and how you portray that in an application, which I am confident in my ability to do so. I was just curious as to what Goro thought. Either way being an ED tech is incredibly rewarding and honestly I spend my entire 12 hour shifts here having a blast. Worth it in my books 👍

 

[Goro]

ED tech sounds like great experience!

 

[PA_dud3]

ED tech sounds like great experience!

How do you feel about EKG tech? Just for curiosity's sake.

 

[BoneBroCO]

How do you feel about EKG tech? Just for curiosity's sake.

I have never heard of such a position. What exactly do you do other than the obvious?

 

[PA_dud3]

I have never heard of such a position. What exactly do you do other than the obvious?

Not gonna lie it's kinda simple but I really enjoy it.

I rotate between stations doing the following on a 12 hour shift.
1) Monitoring the med-tele floor in our hospital via computers (15-30 patients)
2) Monitoring other two floors which do not have proprietary telemetry (20 patients combined usually)
(Monitoring means just watching for alarms or signs of heart trouble, caught a very interesting rhythm today, in fact. We report to nurses.)
3) Running, this entails attaching leads to patients, checking loose leads when nurses can't be bothered to, changing batteries, and retrieving tele boxes. Also charting ekg strips.

My day consists of usually this sort of the system. I would say about 35-40% of each day is direct patient contact, whereas the rest of the time during the day is spent monitoring EKGs.

 

[BoneBroCO]

Not gonna lie it's kinda simple but I really enjoy it.

I rotate between stations doing the following on a 12 hour shift.
1) Monitoring the med-tele floor in our hospital via computers (15-30 patients)
2) Monitoring other two floors which do not have proprietary telemetry (20 patients combined usually)
(Monitoring means just watching for alarms or signs of heart trouble, caught a very interesting rhythm today, in fact. We report to nurses.)
3) Running, this entails attaching leads to patients, checking loose leads when nurses can't be bothered to, changing batteries, and retrieving tele boxes. Also charting ekg strips.

My day consists of usually this sort of the system. I would say about 35-40% of each day is direct patient contact, whereas the rest of the time during the day is spent monitoring EKGs.

Okay gotcha. I think at the hospital I work at they are called telemetry techs. I am glad that you enjoy that! I think I would go crazy honestly 😆

 

[BoneBroCO]

Oh of course, no disrespect meant to EMT's, but I do have a feeling a lot of the stories I hear are somewhat embellished, lol.

The only story I have ever been accused of embellishing is my low GI bleed stories, and trust me low GI bleeds need no embellishment.

 

[Goro]

How do you feel about EKG tech? Just for curiosity's sake.

Also fine!
Dudes, anything that involves your interacting with patients is FINE!

 

[BoneBroCO]

Also fine!
Dudes, anything that involves your interacting with patients is FINE!

Then why is working on an ambulance "a glorified bus driver" in your book?

 

[Goro]

Then why is working on an ambulance "a glorified bus driver" in your book?

Because EMT-B just drives the bus.

 

[LizzyM]

The only story I have ever been accused of embellishing is my low GI bleed stories, and trust me low GI bleeds need no embellishment.

By golly, you have smelled the patient in those circumstances.

Because EMT-B just drives the bus.

If an applicant has worked (or volunteered) as an EMT-B and done more than drive patients to appointments ( some people in wheelchairs who are usually homebound have to hire a "medi-car" to take them to treatment appointments and even to social events). be sure to describe what you did (CPR, IVs, EKG) in the work and activities section of the AMCAS.