Mobile examiner or ER scribe? Help!

[mybubbles627]

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So I currently have a job as a mobile examiner. For this job I am required to record medical histories, draw blood, perform EKG's, take physical measurement/vitals (blood pressure, pulse, height, weight, etc), etc for people applying for life or disability insurance.

Last year I had applied to work as an ER scribe but all the positions were full. The company kept my application and has now contacted me and wants me to work for them.

What would be better for my application? Continue my current job or switch? I appreciate any help. Thanks!

 

[pre med 2014]

which one pays more money?

 

[mybubbles627]

which one pays more money?

The mobile examiner. The amount of money isn't my concern though.

 

[johnwalldance]

If as the scribe you get to be the ER physician's personal scribe and have to learn a lot of documentation and medical terminology stuff, that might be better, it seems like you have already learned all you can with the job you have currently and its rather a bit routine...but just my 2 cents

 

[rmpruitt]

Could you possibly do both? The scribe position I have is part time and I work another full time job on top of it. If your company is like mine then the hours are pretty flexible and you could easily work it around another job.

 

[whatbout2morrow]

If you've done the mobile examiner job for atleast a year, the medical scribe might be a good way to shift gears and broaden your experience.

 

[CodeBlu]

I would scribe if I were you...

But you do not get to do blood draws or EKGs or have any real patient contact as in... you touching them.

But you're in the room, taking the history and physical exam down for the doctor.

You get to see a different side of a field you thought you knew all about, but you soon realize... you knew nothing. Hahaha.

Scribe if you can do it. It'll be very rewarding for you.

 

[Catalystik]

What would be better for my application? Continue my current job or switch? I appreciate any help. Thanks!

I expect that a lot of your examinees are apparently healthy if they're trying to qualify for disability or life insurance. ER scribe would give you a view of the dark side.

 

[mybubbles627]

Thanks for all the responses. I have shadowed in the ER before. Yeah it was interesting, but it wasn't my favorite shadowing experience which is what makes me question if I want to work there.

1) The mobile examiner job can be a bit routine, but you had surprises too. You never know the person you are going to meet and you don't know how they will react when getting their blood drawn. I ask if people have a history of fainting and sometimes even if they say no it happens, so I get to practice dealing with stressful situations.

2) The scribe position is either part time for 2 years or full time for 1 year and it is only for pre-med or pre-pharmacy students so I could TRY to do both, but it would take a lot of time since I also have 2 volunteer positions at a clinic in the city I live.

 

[mybubbles627]

I expect that a lot of your examinees are apparently healthy if they're trying to qualify for disability or life insurance. ER scribe would give you a view of the dark side.

I thought that at first too, but there are actually a significant amount of people who have long and complicated medical histories. I guess I just feel that as a scribe I would only be doing PART of what my current job entails. However, I have heard such mixed reviews from people about experiences and if it is better to have a variety of experiences or experiences that have lasted.

Other experiences I have on my application are:
Teaching assistant for Organic and General Chemistry for 3 years
Volunteer at nonprofit medical clinic while attending undergrad for 1.5 years
Research in lab summer after freshman year
Research in lab during undergrad 1.5 years
Volunteer at nonprofit clinic in my hometown which I moved to post graduation 8 months and continuing
Treasurer of Chemistry club at university 3 years
Mobile examiner job 7 months and continuing
Sorority 4 years of undergrad
Rugby (captain, all-state team, stopped due to injury, helped coach youth in summer)
Theater performed in several plays
Shadowing 9 physicians of different specialties

I guess at this point I just don't know what else I can do to add to my application. I'm a re-applicant so I am trying to make my application as strong as possible to not have to go through the process AGAIN.

 

[Catalystik]

You have so many other experiences with above average longevity that I think you'd be fine if you make a decision to suit your personal interests.

I don't see formal shadowing mentioned. If you have none, then scribe has that experience embedded within it, and would be a factor to consider in making the change.

 

[mybubbles627]

You have so many other experiences with above average longevity that I think you'd be fine if you make a decision to suit your personal interests.

I don't see formal shadowing mentioned. If you have none, then scribe has that experience embedded within it, and would be a factor to consider in making the change.

Oh sorry, I knew I was forgetting to mention something. Yes, I have formally shadowed 9 physicians with different specialties ranging from anesthesiologist, pediatrician, orthopedic surgeon, family practice, trauma surgeon, intensivist, ER physician, etc.

What is considered average longevity? I thought I was above average but I didn't want to assume anything.

 

[Catalystik]

Oh sorry, I knew I was forgetting to mention something. Yes, I have formally shadowed 9 physicians with different specialties ranging from anesthesiologist, pediatrician, orthopedic surgeon, family practice, trauma surgeon, intensivist, ER physician, etc.

What is considered average longevity? I thought I was above average but I didn't want to assume anything.

1-1.5 years, though it's nice to see something for 3+ years (n=1 opinion).

 

[PantherPride]

I say scribe