Scribe or TA

[deleted1040417]

I was planning to apply for scribing positions (with SA), but with the pandemic, there is uncertainty in clinical opportunities right now, but my clinical experience is lacking very much.

I was offered to TA physics which will take 20 hours a week of my time. I would love to TA more (having had plenty of TA experience though), should I take this opportunity? I do not have research either, but I have tried many professors that are continuing research however not taking students at this time.

1) I would rather scribe, but I don't know how long the hiring process would be and if I would even get a spot. The TA opportunity has a deadline for this weekend.

2) Also, I don't have the heart to grade harshly, but historically the TAs are told to grades harsh I believe. All my time TAing, it was just attendance and easy stuff to grade that didn't kill anyone's grades.

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[yokiguz]

I'd go for scribing. I've seen a survey showing TA/Tutoring being one of the lowest impact to adcoms.

 

[ScrubswithnoSleeves]

EDIT: I live in the midwest in case anyone can give me updates on if ScribeAmerica is hiring within the region still.
This may also be an opportunity for a good LoR as this was a previous professor of mine.

I know in CA they stopped hiring from outside the org (my gf was a chief scribe) but that could have changed now as Doc's are starting to see patients in person again.

 

[deleted867660]

Why not both? I scribe in the ER and TA for Calculus as well - the TA'ing is pretty low commitment (only 5-7 hours a week even though they say it's quite a bit more, it's not) and I know the course content pretty well (which it seems like you do, much of the time they quote for weekly hours is 'prep' time). Additionally, it's a good LOR to have. I personally don't think they'll overlap too much - don't underestimate yourself!

Also, I was told to grade harshly but it's still your discretion. What I usually did was be a stickler for the rubric but write comprehensive feedback for students (I type fast, cause you know, scribing) so that they didn't feel like they were being dinged for no reason at all.

 

[theeberk]

If it's one or the other, I would say scribing hands-down because:
- How do you know you want to be a doctor without clinical experience?
- An application without clinical experience is not a good one.

 

[GreenDuck12]

Same as the above: go for scribing. Clinical hours are significantly more impactful than being a TA.

 

[deleted1040417]

Does anyone know about ScribeAmerica's hiring with current conditions? I asked and I was given a vague answer that "some" locations have resumed hiring. A hospital (hour commute) has opened to volunteers, so I emailed to my local hospital's volunteer coordinator, but have yet to hear back. I doubt there would be ER opportunities, but there may be other departments where we may be able to escort patients in radiology.

 

[jhmmd]

I was planning to apply for scribing positions (with SA), but with the pandemic, there is uncertainty in clinical opportunities right now, but my clinical experience is lacking very much.

I was offered to TA physics which will take 20 hours a week of my time. I would love to TA more (having had plenty of TA experience though), should I take this opportunity? I do not have research either, but I have tried many professors that are continuing research however not taking students at this time.

1) I would rather scribe, but I don't know how long the hiring process would be and if I would even get a spot. The TA opportunity has a deadline for this weekend.

2) Also, I don't have the heart to grade harshly, but historically the TAs are told to grades harsh I believe. All my time TAing, it was just attendance and easy stuff to grade that didn't kill anyone's grades.

EDIT: I live in the midwest in case anyone can give me updates on if ScribeAmerica is hiring within the region still.
This may also be an opportunity for a good LoR as this was a previous professor of mine.

Like has been said above, I'd go with becoming a scribe. You won't find it hard to find an opportunity. It goes in accordance with the traditional supply/demand graph because
1. Lots of people want to be scribes
2. These jobs pay minimum wage, usually

So take those two factors into account. Good luck!

 

[crandmat]

Does anyone know about ScribeAmerica's hiring with current conditions? I asked and I was given a vague answer that "some" locations have resumed hiring. A hospital (hour commute) has opened to volunteers, so I emailed to my local hospital's volunteer coordinator, but have yet to hear back. I doubt there would be ER opportunities, but there may be other departments where we may be able to escort patients in radiology.

So I have worked for SA at an ER in a very busy community hospital for about 2 years now, and I guess I can't speak for SA as a whole but at least in regards to our site, we are hurting for people. The corporate people forgot that our site existed, and now there are only 2 scribes (me and one other person) who are supposed to fill all the shifts for the month of August. Work for a company that gives a hoot about its providers lol and doesn't leave them without scribes.

 

[deleted1040417]

So I have worked for SA at an ER in a very busy community hospital for about 2 years now, and I guess I can't speak for SA as a whole but at least in regards to our site, we are hurting for people. The corporate people forgot that our site existed, and now there are only 2 scribes (me and one other person) who are supposed to fill all the shifts for the month of August. Work for a company that gives a hoot about its providers lol and doesn't leave them without scribes.

I don't know many other companies, I've heard about Scribe-X though, but idk if their in our region, I'll look into it. I may just commute 2 hours on the weekend (since a hospital is open to volunteers) just to volunteer at this point if I don't find a scribe position.

 

[deleted1040417]

Both

Honestly, I may shoot for both, I really enjoy being a TA and may even be one of my most meaningful experiences. Hoping things work out, I'll shoot for both, but it will look to be a tough semester, but I think I may survive. Be miserable for one semester and if I feel horrible just not TA in the Spring.

 

[deleted1040417]

Thank you all for your advice. I see scribing is the better option but will look into both. I will definitely fight my way through the semester and shoot for scribing. Hopefully, there may be hiring in my area.