Much needed advise on scribing offers

[blueaqua]

Hi everyone,

I interviewed with Physassist recently and was placed on a waiting list. My interviewer let me know it could take a few weeks or a fewer months as the turnover varies. I was soon after offered a scribing position with ScribeAmerica to start asap.

If I take the offer with ScribeAmerica, I could start now and I would be working in a clinic outside of one of the bigger cities. If I stay on the waiting list with PhysAssist, I could have a spot in the ER (I really want to do emergency medicine) in one of the top hospitals in the city(more networking and volunteering research opportunities) and their company culture seems to be better(based on what I read) but I'm not sure how long the wait will be and while I'm waiting, I'll be be missing out on possibly months of scribing experience and the uncertainty of the wait is :/.

1) If you have experience in working with either of these companies or similar companies can you let me know how the process for internal transfers work? If I started with ScribeAmerica, how easy will it be to transfer to another ScribeAmerica site ? (when I met with the chief scribe, it seemed like she wanted the scribes to stay in her location)

2) I have to sign the non-compete clause but if ScribeAmeria doesn't work out (e.g. i don't pass the training<--hopefully that doesn't happen) or some other reason, can I apply with PhysAssist soon after? I've read threads where people needed waivers of non-compete before working with the new company. Also, I'm concerned, any future application to PhysAssist might look favorable because I was on the waiting list and chose to remove myself..and am reapplying.

3)I've pored over threads comparing the two companies, but if you have feedback on either/both companies or any general advice, I would really appreciate reading them.

Thank you.

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[blueaqua]

I have to accept/decline the offer by today :/

Hi everyone,

I interviewed with Physassist recently and was placed on a waiting list due to lack of spots available in the hospitals they worked with. My interviewer let me know it could take a few weeks or a fewer months as the turnover varies. I was soon after offered a scribing position with ScribeAmerica to start asap.

If I take the offer with ScribeAmerica, I could start now and I would be working in a clinic outside of a big city. If I stay on the waiting list with PhysAssist, I could have a spot in the ER (I really want to do emergency medicine) in one of the top hospitals in the city (more networking+ more volunteering research opportunities) but I'm not sure how long the wait will be and while I'm waiting, I'll be be missing out on possibly months of scribing experience and the uncertainty of the wait is :/. I also feel somewhat guilty telling PhysAssist (she was awesome) that I'll be taking the Scribe America position.

1) If you have experience in working with either of these companies or similar companies can you let me know how the process for internal transfers work? If I started with ScribeAmerica, how easy will it be to transfer to another ScribeAmerica site ? (when I met with the chief scribe, it seemed like she wanted the scribes to stay in her location)

2) I have to sign the non-compete clause but if ScribeAmeria doesn't work out (e.g. i don't pass the training<--hopefully that doesn't happen) or some other reason, can I apply with PhysAssist soon after? I've read threads where people needed waivers of non-compete before working with the new company. Also, I'm concerned, any future application to PhysAssist might look favorable because I was on the waiting list and chose to remove myself..and am reapplying.

3)I've pored over threads comparing the two companies, but if you have feedback on either/both companies or any general advice, I would really appreciate reading them.

Thank you.

 

[sprinter16]

I have to accept/decline the offer by today :/

I don't know if it's too late already... But I believe that scribe America is more nationwide and it's fairly difficult to get a job with them, especially in the bigger cities.
However, on the flip side... You sound way more excited to be an ED scribe. I would maybe hold out if you don't think you would be happy in the clinic... What did you end up deciding??

 

[blueaqua]

This sounds unethical but I ended up saying yes to ScribeAmerica..but Im stalling for time .. I haven't submitted my consent for my background check yet where they'll actually ask for my ssn. I work up this morning Still restless (as dramatic as this sounds) I've had a really tough time with my job hunt so I think a part of me feels scared about letting go of the SA opportunity at the same time ..the benefits of Physassist. If for any reason I'm unhappy with SA (or vice versa, I might have a harder time joining Physassist because of my earlier decline and the whole non compete/background check showing I worked with scribe America shortly after my interview with Physassist ..

 

[blueaqua]

Thank you for the advice btw

I don't know if it's too late already... But I believe that scribe America is more nationwide and it's fairly difficult to get a job with them, especially in the bigger cities.
However, on the flip side... You sound way more excited to be an ED scribe. I would maybe hold out if you don't think you would be happy in the clinic... What did you end up deciding??

 

[Espressso]

I work for scribeamerica now and they are really not into the whole, transfer locations thing. They prefer you stay at the one location you are assigned to.

As for the non-compete, I heard that neither company actually enforces that.


A positive of working in a clinic as opposed to the ED is that you will get so much closer with your physician you work with in the clinic. There, you'll only be working with them. In the ED, however, you will be scribing for multiple physicians during your shifts. From my experience, it was so much easier to get very close with the Dr. when I worked in the clinic rather than the ED.

 

[echidna001]

I have worked for both companies (my site has switched between the two). The non-competes are actually fairly set in stone. You cannot get out of these agreements unless you're bought out or they release you (the later of which is unlikely). Granted, I'm not sure if they would actually bother pursuing legal action against you if you broke the non-compete but the other company may not hire you unless you've been released as this does become a potential legal burden for them. Now, if you move and the new city has a scribe program, both companies should give you an option to change hospitals within the company. However, I highly doubt either will let you switch within the same city. Most have very site specific training/different EMR's so it would cost the company a lot of extra money to train you in a new system.

Physassist seems to specialize in training and hiring ER scribes whereas it seems Scribe America is more frequently used for outpatient sites. As you can imagine, these are completely different paces and skill sets so it's sort of like comparing apples and oranges I suppose. Both companies have their bad/good aspects.

I will say, I have loved working in the ER. I would strongly recommend it, especially if you are interested in ER medicine. If you're applying this cycle and want it on your application, maybe take the sure bet with Scribe America. But if you're not, I'd call PhysAssist and see if they can give you a probable timeline of when you would be starting. I'd also try to ascertain whether this is guaranteed when a slot opens up or just a possibility. It's likely a lot of scribes will leave for medical school in July and then people always cut back their hours in September when school starts.