Scribe Management Position

[PremedPri]

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Hey guys, I am currently an Emergency Room Medical Scribe working 20-32 hours a week, and I have the possibility of applying for a management position that is 40 hours a week. I was wondering what the added benefit would be to my medical school application. I am trying to weigh the pros and cons because I am currently a junior at UCLA, planning on taking a gap year immediately following graduation in Spring 2017. I am unsure of whether or not the added benefit of doing so would be 1) worth the time commitment, and 2) manageable with school work.

I appreciate any feedback, I'm just looking to get some insight.

Thanks!

 

[Fission Chips]

I would recommend doing it if you are passionate about your work. Otherwise, spend your time doing something that you really care about. I was in a similar position earlier, and decided against promotion. I ended up starting a non-profit at my university working in environmental sustainability in Central America, and it was an absolute blast. I got to travel too. Sure, I didn't have that "chief scribe" on my AMCAS app, but I still got into medical school. And I had a lot of fun along the way.

It may look good to take on the role of chief scribe in terms of leadership, but at this point I doubt it would add significant weight to your clinical experience. If you love scribing and you think taking the management position will fill you inside, then by all means go for it. Or go for it if you have no other means of gaining leadership experience, but wish to be a leader in some regard.

I'm not sure if you can handle it or not, that is entirely up to you. Working and going to undergrad FT will not likely be as hard as medical school, so you could probably handle it as long as you have your time management skills down. I don't know when you would scribe 40 hours a week if you are in school FT though. School 8-4, then scribe from 5pm - 1am 3 days a week, and 9-5 Saturday and Sunday? Just make sure you don't burn out. If you are taking a gap year, why not move to management then and concentrate on studies now?

 

[Rainbow Zebra]

Chief Scribe checking in. My phone/texts go off 24/7, as we have more than 50 "scribblers" in our 5 different EDs. I get paid for all the time I'm on the phone, texting, etc, but I do have some weeks over 40 hours. We are also the coverage of last resort, and I and my Chief partner have had to go in about 1/month. However, on the plus side, I get to interact with the ED management, and company management. I found it an overall plus, but find my 1 day a week scribing to be really easy and stress free. I like administrative work, so this plays to my talents. I'm in my second gap year, you could not be a Chief while in school, no way. But if this is after school is done, I would recommend it, as you get a real taste of the business of medicine.