Scribing at hospital vs. private practice

[MSMsong]

Hey all, I'm applying to some scribing jobs right now, and I sent my application through Scribe America, and I'm now sending in some applications to some private practices. I had some questions about scribing in an emergency department in a hospital or in a private practice. What would be better? Most hospital scribing jobs allow for part time and I guess the brand of the hospital, in addition for potential to become chief scribe. On the other hand, scribing at a private practice would naturally allow for more time with the physician to cultivate a personal relationship but be at the cost of being full time. What do you guys think is the move? Can scribing hours technically count as shadowing hours? Is it the move to work a full time scribing job on top of 2 classes per quarter? Please let me know, thanks!

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[Blueprint Med School]

Scribing hours are not shadowing hours but still meaningful clinical hours. As long as you can do well in your 2 classes per quarter while scribing, it should be fine. However, I'm not sure if it would be better for you to scribe at a hospital or in a practice.

Kevin W, MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[Office Visit]

Current scribe in an outpatient clinic that is hospital affiliated. I have super close relationships with the physicians I work with because there are several providers and I am the only scribe. They have all offered to write me stellar and very personal LOR which I have declined due to already having applied by the time I started working. I don't think either is necessarily better or worse. I would try to find a clinic in a specialty you are interested in, whether that be in the hospital or private practice. My recommendation would be to prioritize your classes over your work hours. Schools will care more about your GPA than an extra number of clinical or shadowing hours.

 

[crandmat]

Hey, current ED scribe in a large community hospital. I have most of the same things to say as Office Visit, like the close interpersonal relationships that you can develop with physicians and how (most of them) are insisting that they write you a LOR. As for ED specific stuff, I feel like I learn something new every day due to the variety of patients that can walk into the door, and if you are actively communicating with your physicians they can teach you a whole lot. But as Office Visit said as well, prioritize school over work 100%, and make that clear when you apply for the job. GPA all the way.