some questions about scribing

[MyOdyssey]

I've read a lot of scribing related threads on SDN. I have a few unanswered questions.

1. I've heard that scribing directly for a hospital pays more than signing on with Scribe America. Is this true?

2. How does one apply to scribe directly for a hospital?

3. Do scribes typically get to speak to patients?

4. Is scribing considered a form of shadowing or a type of clinical related work?

5. How hard is it to scribe on a part time basis (<20 hours/week)?

6. What are some downsides to scribing?

Thanks!

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[Seihai]

I've read a lot of scribing related threads on SDN. I have a few unanswered questions.

1. I've heard that scribing directly for a hospital pays more than signing on with Scribe America. Is this true?

2. How does one apply to scribe directly for a hospital?

3. Do scribes typically get to speak to patients?

4. Is scribing considered a form of shadowing or a type of clinical related work?

5. How hard is it to scribe on a part time basis (<20 hours/week)?

6. What are some downsides to scribing?

Thanks!

Can't answer to 1-3; I didn't scribe and don't know much about the logistics.

4 - It's considered clinical work by most.
5 - This completely depends on what company you work for and when you're doing it. If you're doing it while studying for the MCAT, it's going to be different than if you're doing it during a gap year. Question is too broad to give a good answer.
6 - As a scribe, you can have a wide variety of experiences, but some tell me they're treated like garbage as scribes by other hospital workers. You're probably also not going to get much "fulfillment" out of being a scribe.

 

[unluckyadhessiveness]

I've read a lot of scribing related threads on SDN. I have a few unanswered questions.

1. I've heard that scribing directly for a hospital pays more than signing on with Scribe America. Is this true?

2. How does one apply to scribe directly for a hospital?

3. Do scribes typically get to speak to patients?

4. Is scribing considered a form of shadowing or a type of clinical related work?

5. How hard is it to scribe on a part time basis (<20 hours/week)?

6. What are some downsides to scribing?

Thanks!

1) Scribe America has contracts with hospitals and private offices. The pay is the same if you're with scribe America despite location. Generally speaking, if you go directly to a hospital or private practice that DOESN'T has contracts with scribe companies they will generally pay you more.

2) Most hospitals use scribe america because they can't be bothered to hire and train scribes. You may be able to apply to private scribe positions at offices but you'd likely need experience.

3) This really depends on the setting, with some physicians I do talk and interact with patients (only for them to show me cool stuff like fistulas and stuff). Generally speaking, I believe the rule of thumb is not to interact with patients at all (this is what they taught us during orientation).

4) Clinical work

5) I work research full time and scribe 1 day on weekends with scribe america.

6) Long shifts, can be boring, some physicians can be dicks (but any job your boss can be a dick). I've had a great scribe experience.

EDIT: Clarified some few things and wanted to let you know you can PM me if you have any specific questions I may be able to answers about my experience.

 

[LiftingMed]

I've read a lot of scribing related threads on SDN. I have a few unanswered questions.

1. I've heard that scribing directly for a hospital pays more than signing on with Scribe America. Is this true?

Yes, going through a middleman will always cost a company more than hiring independently.

2. How does one apply to scribe directly for a hospital?

Sites like indeed.com

3. Do scribes typically get to speak to patients?

Likely depends on the provider you're scribing for, I'm currently scribing for an internal medicine clinic, provider I scribe for is pretty laid back and I typically go in rooms before he comes in just to chat with the patient about any refills, concerns and off-topic conversations so they don't get too bored waiting.

4. Is scribing considered a form of shadowing or a type of clinical related work?

Clinical experience.

5. How hard is it to scribe on a part time basis (<20 hours/week)?

Depends on the provider, I don't think many want a part-time scribe though.

6. What are some downsides to scribing?

Pay.

Thanks!

 

[Tenk]

I summon @Alexander Brosef

 

[Alexander Brosef]

I've read a lot of scribing related threads on SDN. I have a few unanswered questions.

1. I've heard that scribing directly for a hospital pays more than signing on with Scribe America. Is this true?

2. How does one apply to scribe directly for a hospital?

3. Do scribes typically get to speak to patients?

4. Is scribing considered a form of shadowing or a type of clinical related work?

5. How hard is it to scribe on a part time basis (week)?

6. What are some downsides to scribing?

Thanks!

I’m a ScribeAmerica Chief Scribe with experience in both Emergency and Outpatient clinic medicine, so hopefully I can help.

1) It’s more likely than not that a private contract will pay you more, as will a lot of companies other than ScribeAmerica. In my area, the starting wage is minimum for SA and then at least $1-1.50 more per hour for other companies. Problem is, the other companies will most likely be located in other cities as each hospital system generally contracts with one scribe company. Basically, your best bet is to search close by and decide if working in another city is worth it for a little bit more money.

2) I’m not really sure of this, but you would probably have to find a hospital that did not have a scribe contract.

3) This will depend on where you work. In Emergency, I hardly ever talk to patients. Occasionally I’ll give them a lab result if the Physician doesn’t have it handy. Or they’ll as me for something and I’ll go grab the Physician or Nurse. In Clinic, we go into the room and do well child assessments before the physician goes into the room, so there is some quality patient interaction during those visits.

4) Scribing is clinical work, which is much more valuable than shadowing on an application. But still shadow outside of it for sure.

5) I started at 18-27 hours per week and it was totally fine. If you’re going to school, emergency will be more doable because you can work weekends. You can also schedule your classes so that you can work a weekday shift or 2 per week. You just need to make sure you let the company know in advance what your plan is so that they don’t expect you to work way more than you want.

6) For me, the only downside of scribing is that I don’t get to work with Tenk every day. But the 9-12 hour shifts can be pretty daunting for sure. And a lot of times you’ll find yourself wishing you could do more, like answering questions and having more interactions with patients. I really love my job and I think it’s a perfect thing to do while getting ready for/applying to Med School.

 

[Legenddoc]

1. I've heard that scribing directly for a hospital pays more than signing on with Scribe America. Is this true?
I have worked for Scribe America for the past year in the ED of a level 2 trauma and composite stroke center, I make $10 an hour and drive 45 minutes each way to work. I was offered a position scribing at the Hospital of my University that started at $15 but only offered 20 hours a week. They run their own program which means you get payed more when compared to the private Scribe America. Scribe America was great for hours but don't expect to make great money, do it strictly for learning/experience. I was blessed to work with providers who loved teaching and who were generally a great time to be around which made the money less of a factor to myself.

2. How does one apply to scribe directly for a hospital?
My major University Hospital application for scribing was found in 5 minutes with a quick google search. I cant speak much on a major hospital not tied to an educational center.

3. Do scribes typically get to speak to patients?
In my scenario you are not suppose to speak with patients, but sometimes they'll ask you questions, or a physician will ask you to get them a blanket or ask them who their primary care provider is. Simple things, don't expect to be touching/talking with patients regularly. It will be mostly interactions with nursing staff/imaging staff/physicians/residents.

4. Is scribing considered a form of shadowing or a type of clinical related work?
While interviewing for medical school it was always described as a clinically related work. You learn a lot more than experience I had shadowing.

5. How hard is it to scribe on a part time basis (<20 hours/week)?
I was full time scribe during my gap year. 40-50 hours dependent on need while working my job in research (20 hours a week) (im poor workaholic). More than half of the scribes I work with have other jobs or are in school with extracurriculars and manage it fine. It really depends on if your co-workers will help out if you have scheduling issues or feel burnt out and need some time off.

6. What are some downsides to scribing?
Down side is that you are at the bottom of the totem pole of the medical world, you answer to everyone, but it really allows you to get a full view of the medical field from secretary to physician.
You will not be banking at this job, but your experience is worth the money.
Depends all about where you work and who you work with. Some physicians love scribes, I have doctors that buy me lunch/dinner/snacks all the time. Some physicians do not care much for scribes and see us as a way to prevent being sued and making more money through documentation.