ER scribe vs. urgent care

[pinkbows39]

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I have decided to apply for a scribe position for this summer.
Although I was going to apply for a position with scribeamerica, I found some urgent care centers around my area that were hiring.
I'm aware that the cases in the urgent care wouldn't nearly be as "exciting" as the ER, but would you say it's worth it considering the fact that I would get paid 2x more at the urgent care?
Or rather, should I sacrifice the pay for more clinical exposure?

Suggestions please 🙂

 

[ifnotnowwren]

I would find out more details about the urgent care position - would you just be working with one doctor? I have been scribing for one primary care provider exclusively, and I've really liked that because it's allowed me to see one person's flow, one person's process, as well as develop a deep rapport with that physician and her MA. Though I definitely see the benefits to working with a different doctor each shift.

As far as ER vs. Urgent Care goes, yeah, you will probably be seeing fewer complex/"exciting" cases at the urgent care. However I think there are some similarities between these kinds of care - as far as a scribe is concerned, it would probably be one time visits addressing one issue.

What about hours? Would you get better/more stable hours with the urgent care? Is there the same time with respect to commute?

 

[bc65]

I would start with the urgent care. That would be a better place to start. In terms of what you will see and learn, you're probably better off in the urgent care. It's more similar to a doctor's office. You'll see more blood and excitement in the ER, but you won't learn more about what being a physician is actually like.

After a few months in the Urgent Care, perhaps you would be able to do a few shifts filling in in the ER, and see if you learn more and /or enjoy that more.

 

[takeurmeds02]

Urgent Care's turf their patients off to the ED anyway..if you're not particularly in it for the money, I would go the ED for exposure. Not sure if you could do both. I'm sure ScribeAmerica probably has a non-compete clause meaning you can't scribe for anyone else.

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

If you can survive with less money, I'd choose ED. But keep in mind that no matter which one you choose, you'll have an opportunity to learn. And in either position, you'll eventually get to the point where you're seeing the same cases over and over. I would choose ED because you'll be more likely to see a few interesting/complex cases.

You'll see more blood and excitement in the ER, but you won't learn more about what being a physician is actually like.

Huh? OP would absolutely learn about what being an ED physician is like in the ED.

 

[LizzyM]

Why do you want engage in one of these activities this summer? List up to 5 reasons for taking a job this summer and place them in order of importance.

 

[bc65]

Huh? OP would absolutely learn about what being an ED physician is like in the ED.

I think my intention was clear. I wrote that "In terms of what you will see and learn, you're probably better off in the urgent care. It's more similar to a doctor's office." That line preceded the one that you quoted. If it makes you feel better, yes, I should have added a word for clarity.
"You'll see more blood and excitement in the ER, but you won't learn more about what being a typical physician is actually like."

 

[takeurmeds02]

I think my intention was clear. I wrote that "In terms of what you will see and learn, you're probably better off in the urgent care. It's more similar to a doctor's office." That line preceded the one that you quoted. If it makes you feel better, yes, I should have added a word for clarity.
"You'll see more blood and excitement in the ER, but you won't learn more about what being a typical physician is actually like."

What's a typical physician? There are numerous specialties that vary tremendously in practice. If you're referring to an outpt setting then sure but not every specialty is outpt, obviously. I think the ED would be a much better place to gain exposure in pt presentation over an UC; especially with how many pt's are referred to the ED from urgent cares with half-ass work up's anyway. Plus, you see consults from other fields and have the opportunity to pick their brains a bit. I caveat this with maybe it's just the UC's in my area but if you were to compare the two, I would seriously consider ED.

 

[bc65]

What's a typical physician? There are numerous specialties that vary tremendously in practice. If you're referring to an outpt setting then sure but not every specialty is outpt, obviously. I think the ED would be a much better place to gain exposure in pt presentation over an UC; especially with how many pt's are referred to the ED from urgent cares with half-ass work up's anyway. Plus, you see consults from other fields and have the opportunity to pick their brains a bit. I caveat this with maybe it's just the UC's in my area but if you were to compare the two, I would seriously consider ED.

By typical physician ( also not the best choice of words, I suppose ) I mean an environment that would be most consistent with what one would encounter as a physician in most specialties. This would include any physician who sees patients in an office. This would include almost all specialties of medicine and pediatrics, as well as just about all the surgical specialties. Urgent care would also share some similarities with ER. Of course, it wouldn't be much like certain specialties such as pathology and radiology, but neither would ER.

I think that of the two, urgent care would be more similar, and thus more applicable, to what most physicians do on a day to day basis. I think he would be able to learn more in a slower environment. He would also make more money.

Either would be fine. This isn't a lifetime commitment. He could switch to the ER later if he wants. I think that an argument in favor of the ER is reasonable, but OP asked for opinions and I gave him mine. Reasonable people may differ, but I based my recommendation on my experiences both as a surgeon, and as someone who has moonlighted in the past in both an urgent care and an ER.

 

[Cytarabine]

I think the ED experience would be superior in most ways. You'll see many of the same issues as would present at the urgent care. You'll see a more diverse patient population. You'll see goals of care discussions between physicians and patients / families. You'll see breaking bad news. Etc etc etc.

 

[takeurmeds02]

By typical physician ( also not the best choice of words, I suppose ) I mean an environment that would be most consistent with what one would encounter as a physician in most specialties. This would include any physician who sees patients in an office. This would include almost all specialties of medicine and pediatrics, as well as just about all the surgical specialties. Urgent care would also share some similarities with ER. Of course, it wouldn't be much like certain specialties such as pathology and radiology, but neither would ER.

I think that of the two, urgent care would be more similar, and thus more applicable, to what most physicians do on a day to day basis. I think he would be able to learn more in a slower environment. He would also make more money.

Either would be fine. This isn't a lifetime commitment. He could switch to the ER later if he wants. I think that an argument in favor of the ER is reasonable, but OP asked for opinions and I gave him mine. Reasonable people may differ, but I based my recommendation on my experiences both as a surgeon, and as someone who has moonlighted in the past in both an urgent care and an ER.

Yea, I can definitely respect that and I do understand what you mean.