Not getting paid to work as a scribe

[700003]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I have an opportunity to scribe as a volunteer in a private FM clinic. While I won't be getting paid, it will give me true clinical experience (I will be able to take down the patient history in the SOAP and then, explain it to the doctor before going in with him to assess the patient). In addition, this position offers great flexibility…I could go in the clinic ~2 days/week and usually, leave at flexible timings as well. This is important because it caters to my heavy MCAT study schedule.

However, would not getting paid to scribe be a red flag? I'm also not going to receive any formal training, other than what the doctor tells me…will this be frowned upon?

 

[Lost in Translation]

The only red flag you should worry about is if you're not going to have any input during the MDM.

Spoiler: The truth

Not getting paid only matters to you. No one else will care. If you need the money, find something else. Otherwise, you're fine.[/quote]

 

[700003]

The only red flag you should worry about is if you're not going to have any input during the MDM.

Spoiler: The truth

Not getting paid only matters to you. No one else will care. If you need the money, find something else. Otherwise, you're fine.

[/QUOTE]

Okay, so I don't even need to disclose that it was a volunteer opportunity? Can I just say on my app that I scribed, and adcoms can assume what they want, regarding whether it was paid or volunteer?

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

You probably will have to disclose it on AMCAS since there's a predetermined set of experience types, including "paid experience" or "community service/volunteering." Since you're not getting paid, this would most likely fall under "community service/volunteering - clinical" But I can't imagine med schools caring at all that you're not getting paid. I've heard of other people volunteering as a scribes in private practice so it doesn't seem too uncommon. The point is to get experience, not necessarily to get paid. (Unless you're worried about money but med schools don't care.)

 

[Flashfan]

I started as a volunteer scribe, then started to get paid for it later. I put it all down as scribing.

 

[Psai]

Get paid for your work man, your time is worth money.

 

[Lost in Translation]

Get paid for your work man, your time is worth money.

A couple nights ago I told a resident whom I've known for 3 years that I got accepted. She said, "Aww, so you're not going to be a volunteer forever?" and I responded with, "But doctors are volunteers!"

/useless anecdote

 

[rocklobstr]

The only red flag you should worry about is if you're not going to have any input during the MDM.

Spoiler: The truth

Not getting paid only matters to you. No one else will care. If you need the money, find something else. Otherwise, you're fine.

[/QUOTE]
Why would a scribe provide input in the MDM? That's kind of why the doctor went to medical school.
Being able to ask questions to the doctor about it or having the doctor explain things is nice, but a pre-med shouldn't know enough about medicine to suggest how the doctor does his medical decision making. At least that's how my scribe company works.

 

[Biofilm]

If you're unable to get any other clinical experience, I think you should take the scribe job. How far of a drive is it for you? I remember driving a little under 2 hours roundtrip for a scribe job that paid minimum wage. Now granted I got paid, it still sucked because of how much gas I used to get to work. I'd do it all over again though, as it was an awesome clinical experience that certainly helped my application.

This can be an opportunity to get a strong LOR.

 

[spiffysteve]

Why would a scribe provide input in the MDM? That's kind of why the doctor went to medical school.
Being able to ask questions to the doctor about it or having the doctor explain things is nice, but a pre-med shouldn't know enough about medicine to suggest how the doctor does his medical decision making. At least that's how my scribe company works.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/did-emt-experience-help-with-your-clinicals.1176986/
^^This thread has some discussion about how scribes contribute. I agree with you, but apparently some places have them do more.

 

[Planes2Doc]

It sounds like you're getting taken advantage of by this clinic, since you're providing free labor. But the minimal number of shifts is nice and I would rather do this than work many more long shifts per month, and end up sacrificing grades and MCAT. In the end, the money you earn is pocket change compared to future earnings as a physician.

As for what you put on your application, ADCOMs won't be looking at your tax returns. If someone was "volunteering" at a for-profit private clinic, I would be scratching my head. I wouldn't view this the same way as volunteering for a charity or non-profit (though you still end up getting taken advantage of at a lot of "non-profit" hospitals). So I would list this as paid employment, and be sure to volunteer somewhere else. This definitely would not count as true volunteering in my book though.

 

[clippers50fan]

It sounds like you're getting taken advantage of by this clinic, since you're providing free labor. But the minimal number of shifts is nice and I would rather do this than work many more long shifts per month, and end up sacrificing grades and MCAT. In the end, the money you earn is pocket change compared to future earnings as a physician.

As for what you put on your application, ADCOMs won't be looking at your tax returns. If someone was "volunteering" at a for-profit private clinic, I would be scratching my head. I wouldn't view this the same way as volunteering for a charity or non-profit (though you still end up getting taken advantage of at a lot of "non-profit" hospitals). So I would list this as paid employment, and be sure to volunteer somewhere else. This definitely would not count as true volunteering in my book though.

...what? Why would OP put it down as paid employment when OP is, in fact, not being paid? Just put it down as clinical volunteering and call it a day. Adcom's won't give a ****. They're not going to see it and go "oh wow he scribed in FM! But he didn't get paid? rejected."

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

To be clear, however you choose to list this on AMCAS, I wouldn't consider this any substitute for volunteering in your community in a way that actually helps those in need.

Also, don't worry about the training issue. Scribing is scribing. When listing this experience, just focus on describing what you did / what you learned. It sucks not to get paid for doing actual work but hopefully, you can get a good LOR out of it and get some valuable experience without taking too much time away from MCAT prep. Most paying scribe jobs that I'm aware of require a much more significant time commitment.

 

[Lost in Translation]

Why would a scribe provide input in the MDM? That's kind of why the doctor went to medical school.
Being able to ask questions to the doctor about it or having the doctor explain things is nice, but a pre-med shouldn't know enough about medicine to suggest how the doctor does his medical decision making. At least that's how my scribe company works.

No, you're right. I was just referencing another post.

 

[rocklobstr]

No, you're right. I was just referencing another post.

ahh, okay

 

[clippers50fan]

Why would a scribe provide input in the MDM? That's kind of why the doctor went to medical school.
Being able to ask questions to the doctor about it or having the doctor explain things is nice, but a pre-med shouldn't know enough about medicine to suggest how the doctor does his medical decision making. At least that's how my scribe company works.[/QUOTE]
I actually do my best to pre-write the plan and diagnosis and then my physician goes over it and changes as necessary. But then again, I work in private practice for one physician full time so I know exactly how she likes her things done and I have way more responsibilities than the average scribe.