Need some insight on Medical Scribe jobs

[Spitphire]

Hello all! If anyone here has worked or is currently working as a scribe can you please tell me what your work hours were like? I'm worried my schedule is too heavy to be able to work as a scribe. The course work its self isn't the issue but rather the amount of class/lab hours. It's also a one hour drive. So I guess the question is, do you have to have a flexible schedule to be able to do both classes and scribing? Any info would be nice! Thanks.

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[spyderweb]

I'm also interested in the scribe position and would love any feedback on this post. Thank you. 🙂

 

[Ace Khalifa]

Yes, you need flexibility in your schedule to be a scribe, especially if you try to work while taking classes or doing something else. Even if you work part-time, which is about 20 hrs/wk, you will need to have serious time to commit to being a scribe. I work full-time now, which is roughly 40 hrs/wk, and all my times are random because the ER operates 24/7, 365. Do not attempt to work as a scribe if you are taking difficult classes like organic chemistry that require you to do nothing but spend insane hours studying every day.

 

[Livin'_that_scribelife]

I scribed full-time since I graduated in May of 2013. As Ace Khalifa stated, the hours can be very weird at times. There were many days where I would work till 330am and then wake up for the 130pm the next day, etc. However, we had a TON of pre-med students who worked part-time while completing their coursework. It can be done, it just depends on how much you value your social life (you will be working many weekends/nights/both) and how good you are at being able to prioritize your studies. That all being said, I hope you decide to scribe. Scribing has been one of the most valuable pre-med experiences I've had and really helped confirm that I wouldn't be happy pursuing any career other than medicine. If you have further questions feel free to post them or PM me. I love talking about my experience with scribing.

 

[swolebrah]

Brah I was scribing while taking Ochem 2 and genetics + other labs and **** . Stop being a ***** and just do it, you will learn to update and be better at time management .

I'm currently taking MCAT in august, so I'm studying for it and scribing as well . I will admit I was scared at first to, but you just gotta take the first step and adapt . Nothing is ever the right time, srs .

 

[SweetCaroline7]

I started scribing the semester I took physics 2, and 4 upper level math classes. I worked part time that semester, which is 2-3 shifts per week (at least 12 per month). After I graduated, I worked for the company part-time, but only on the weekends, since I also had a full-time job during the week. I am also extremely skilled in time management (sorry for the humblebrag, but it's the truth). Here are some thoughts on the experience:

While in school:
Difficult to manage, but definitely possible. I am very type A and I like to get A's, so there's that to consider, and I do think it would have been much more manageable if I were OK with B's. Personally, I feel that the shift work is the most difficult part, because your class times won't change, but your shifts could be scheduled in the morning one day and overnight a couple days later. That said, you have a good amount of control over how you deal with it. You get the schedule for the month about one week in advance of the 1st of the month, and your syllabus should be relatively set, so you can schedule studying around your shifts, since those shouldn't change unless you're kind enough to switch with someone or your scribe company has an on call system. You might be tired and distracted at times, but there's really no reason to fall behind as long as you schedule time for school.

After graduating, while working full time during the week:
I wouldn't recommend it.

I would also consider how many shifts per week the company quotes you. If they say 2-3, realize that it is an average and there will be crazy weeks. For example, around finals and around the time people submit primaries/take the MCAT, you could be the lucky grunt who gets 7 shifts in a week (I'm not kidding). They'll tell you it won't happen, but just keep in mind that it can and does and we all took turns being that person. Planning ahead is crucial.

 

[dedicated1989]

I've been working as a scribe PT in addition to working FT. Its had its challenges (working until 3 AM then waking up by 7AM to get to work the next day) but its been an invaluable experience. I also managed to scribe, work at my FT job and study for the MCAT. Like many other posters mentioned, you learn to manage your time but will have to give up some aspects of your social life.

For me, I prioritized working studying and healthy habits (exercising, yoga ,etc). I cannot stress enough how important it is to take care of yourself when you're juggling a billion things at once. Especially with off sleep schedule you need to eat right, take vitamins and do some kind of exercise (whether its walking, lifting, running, whatever).

With all that being said, the majority of your load depends on how the program you are scribing for works. Ultimately it comes down to the chief scribe who ends up creating the schedule. My chief scribe is extremely considerate and takes everything into account. Unfortunately you won't know how he/she is until you start working. I'm not sure how management goes for scribes that aren't contracted through a larger company, such as ScribeAmerica. I would def recommend jointing through Scribe America as its nationally recognized and organized!

Hope this helps

 

[orangeman25]

I started scribing the semester I took physics 2, and 4 upper level math classes. I worked part time that semester, which is 2-3 shifts per week (at least 12 per month). After I graduated, I worked for the company part-time, but only on the weekends, since I also had a full-time job during the week. I am also extremely skilled in time management (sorry for the humblebrag, but it's the truth). Here are some thoughts on the experience:

While in school:
Difficult to manage, but definitely possible. I am very type A and I like to get A's, so there's that to consider, and I do think it would have been much more manageable if I were OK with B's. Personally, I feel that the shift work is the most difficult part, because your class times won't change, but your shifts could be scheduled in the morning one day and overnight a couple days later. That said, you have a good amount of control over how you deal with it. You get the schedule for the month about one week in advance of the 1st of the month, and your syllabus should be relatively set, so you can schedule studying around your shifts, since those shouldn't change unless you're kind enough to switch with someone or your scribe company has an on call system. You might be tired and distracted at times, but there's really no reason to fall behind as long as you schedule time for school.

After graduating, while working full time during the week:
I wouldn't recommend it.

I would also consider how many shifts per week the company quotes you. If they say 2-3, realize that it is an average and there will be crazy weeks. For example, around finals and around the time people submit primaries/take the MCAT, you could be the lucky grunt who gets 7 shifts in a week (I'm not kidding). They'll tell you it won't happen, but just keep in mind that it can and does and we all took turns being that person. Planning ahead is crucial.

You said you worked another job during the weekdays in addition to scribing on the weekends. How hectic was that? Did you do it for a whole year?

 

[Rinya]

Hello all! If anyone here has worked or is currently working as a scribe can you please tell me what your work hours were like? I'm worried my schedule is too heavy to be able to work as a scribe. The course work its self isn't the issue but rather the amount of class/lab hours. It's also a one hour drive. So I guess the question is, do you have to have a flexible schedule to be able to do both classes and scribing? Any info would be nice! Thanks.

I have worked as a scribe for three years, throughout every difficult class (ochem 1 and 2, physical chemistry, quantitative analysis, physics, genetics, calculus, biochem, etc). I am still working as a scribe now and will do so until hopefully my acceptance next year.
As far as work hours: The organization I work for required part time hours of 20 per week. This was easily doable my sophomore year and more often than not I was working 30 hours a week. During semesters in junior year, I cut back to 20 hours per week, and then realized that even that was a bit much when I was taking 21 credits. By that time, I had been there a year and a half or so, and I always had great physician feedback, so during semesters they told me I only needed 1 or 2 shifts a week, my preference. Now I am working full time, but it was definitely doable to work this job throughout undergrad and other classes. the organization I worked for was flexible as far as you didn't need to work the same shift each day to get your hours. The ER shifts are so flexible and varied when it comes to the hours that there's a wide range of possible shifts that can fit your schedule.

Basically, I only know how my branch works, and it's been incredibly flexible for me, partly because I've been working so long and partly because the physicians love working with me. If you are serious about it I would apply and talk with the chief scribe during the interview about scheduling to see how it is run at your branch.

 

[Spitphire]

Brah I was scribing while taking Ochem 2 and genetics + other labs and **** . Stop being a ***** and just do it, you will learn to update and be better at time management .

I'm currently taking MCAT in august, so I'm studying for it and scribing as well . I will admit I was scared at first to, but you just gotta take the first step and adapt . Nothing is ever the right time, srs .

Woah, chief. I said the course work isn't the problem. I know I can handle a job and my classes, I was just wondering if you can start like in the middle of a physicians shift. I wont be able to go to the hospital up until at least 3-4pm on some days and that's usually at the end of some physicians shifts. I understand your "Shut up and do it" mentality though! Usually how I do things too. Kudos to you and good look on the MCAT!

 

[Spitphire]

Thanks for everyone who commented! It definitely seems possible. From your guys' experience, was it okay to have random hours? Like 4-6 hours a day then 4-6 another days, etc. Or did you have to work 8 hour shifts no matter what?

 

[Ace Khalifa]

Woah, chief. I said the course work isn't the problem. I know I can handle a job and my classes, I was just wondering if you can start like in the middle of a physicians shift. I wont be able to so up until at least 3-4pm on some days and that's usually at the end of some physicians shifts. I understand your "Shut up and do it mentality though"! Usually how I do things too. Kudos to you and good look on the MCAT!

For the scribe company I work for, there is a 9 hr shift from 4pm to 1am and an 8 hr shift from 6:30pm to 2:30am. It's definitely possible to work late afternoon or overnight shifts.

 

[Ace Khalifa]

Thanks for everyone how commented! It definitely seems possible. From your guys' experience, was it okay to have random hours? Like 4-6 hours a day then 4-6 another days, etc. Or did you have to work 8 hour shifts no matter what?

The shortest shifts are 8 hrs, the longest is 11 hrs. You can't split them up, you have to do a full shift every time. That's what it's like for me, anyway.

 

[Spitphire]

The shortest shifts are 8 hrs, the longest is 11 hrs. You can't split them up, you have to do a full shift every time. That's what it's like for me, anyway.

Yea, that's what I was afraid of. Working weekends wouldn't be a problem at all, but I just assumed I cant have a set schedule. I could try working 4-1 like you said, but it's also an hour drive so I would have very little sleep haha

 

[predoc26]

Shifts vary by the hospital's needs. The company that I am a contractor for keeps its employees per diem i.e no more than 87 hours/month which for me translates to anywhere between 0-3 shifts/week. The hospital I work at only has scribes in one time slot from 2-10pm. Try to get an interview and find out what your hospitals shift times are, then decide!

 

[Spitphire]

Shifts vary by the hospital's needs. The company that I am a contractor for keeps its employees per diem i.e no more than 87 hours/month which for me translates to anywhere between 0-3 shifts/week. The hospital I work at only has scribes in one time slot from 2-10pm. Try to get an interview and find out what your hospitals shift times are, then decide!

I hope my hospital is similar to yours. I could definitely do 2-10pm, i'd just have to make up my work study and research time on other days.

 

[Mayday_]

Woah, chief. I said the course work isn't the problem. I know I can handle a job and my classes, I was just wondering if you can start like in the middle of a physicians shift. I wont be able to go to the hospital up until at least 3-4pm on some days and that's usually at the end of some physicians shifts. I understand your "Shut up and do it" mentality though! Usually how I do things too. Kudos to you and good look on the MCAT!

For the company I work for you are not allowed to split up shifts. We're there the entire time our provider is (meaning 10 hour shifts). Our shifts usually either start at 6am, 9am, 11am, 4pm, and the overnights start later. I'm assuming every company/hospital is different, but depending on how long the shifts are and when you get out of class it might be difficult for you to work during the week

It's a great learning experience though! I recommend that you try it out if you can figure out the scheduling

 

[Rinya]

Thanks for everyone who commented! It definitely seems possible. From your guys' experience, was it okay to have random hours? Like 4-6 hours a day then 4-6 another days, etc. Or did you have to work 8 hour shifts no matter what?

It's definitely possible. You work the shift that the doctor is assigned. Sometimes it's 12 hours. But no matter the shift, always count on staying overtime. I normally don't leave until at LEAST a half hour after the shift, just because the doc stops seeing patients when the shift is over, especially if it's busy. Then you're waiting for lab and radiology results, and discharging patients, and I've stayed 3 hours past shift time. Of course, policy is that you can leave when your shift is over and if you really do need to go, I'd wait a half hour then leave. Our shifts are 8 hours because that's the doctors' shifts.

The flexibility is that you don't have to work 7-3 each day that you work. The first day can be 7-3, the next day can be 4-midnight, and the day after can be 3-11. Our policy is that each person works 2 overnights a month so account for that as well.

Honestly though, I think you're putting too much thought into it! Unless your schedule is so insane you don't have time to sleep, go for it. If you are going to work anyhow, might as well do this job. It gives a great learning opportunity and is fun. The best way to find out scheduling issues is to talk with the person who will hire you.

And I can't emphasize this enough: Make sure you can type faster than about 85 wpm. At my branch we don't hire anyone who can't type at least that fast and most people type about 100 wpm. It's completely necessary. The doctors like to dictate to us because the dictation software is glitchy and says "Patient has deceased" instead of "Patient has a disease (rest of sentence)" or such similar mixups. And they talk fast. And patients talk fast in rooms. So typing fast is a must.

 

[Spitphire]

It's definitely possible. You work the shift that the doctor is assigned. Sometimes it's 12 hours. But no matter the shift, always count on staying overtime. I normally don't leave until at LEAST a half hour after the shift, just because the doc stops seeing patients when the shift is over, especially if it's busy. Then you're waiting for lab and radiology results, and discharging patients, and I've stayed 3 hours past shift time. Of course, policy is that you can leave when your shift is over and if you really do need to go, I'd wait a half hour then leave. Our shifts are 8 hours because that's the doctors' shifts.

The flexibility is that you don't have to work 7-3 each day that you work. The first day can be 7-3, the next day can be 4-midnight, and the day after can be 3-11. Our policy is that each person works 2 overnights a month so account for that as well.

Honestly though, I think you're putting too much thought into it! Unless your schedule is so insane you don't have time to sleep, go for it. If you are going to work anyhow, might as well do this job. It gives a great learning opportunity and is fun. The best way to find out scheduling issues is to talk with the person who will hire you.

And I can't emphasize this enough: Make sure you can type faster than about 85 wpm. At my branch we don't hire anyone who can't type at least that fast and most people type about 100 wpm. It's completely necessary. The doctors like to dictate to us because the dictation software is glitchy and says "Patient has deceased" instead of "Patient has a disease (rest of sentence)" or such similar mixups. And they talk fast. And patients talk fast in rooms. So typing fast is a must.

Very helpful post! Really helped explain the flexibility of this job 🙂 I may be thinking about it too much, but there are certain days that I believe aren't even possible unless i don't sleep haha. Like on Mondays , I have classes starting at 9am and i cant leave the college until 8-9pm. On this day, i'm constantly doing something so it's a little hectic and that's what I'm afraid of. Hopefully I can work around Mondays

 

[Bradd]

Looking for Medical scribe jobs in NYC besides..

I know about scribeamerica, scribesystems, and CityMD, does any1 know of any others?