This or that?

[Doctorb2b]

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So I have a question and could use the input of those going through the same process as I. Right now I am enrolled in EMT-Basic. I have a potential job opening in an emergency room as a Tech. Is remains only an option without guarantee. On the other hand, I have been offered a job as an emergency room scribe. For those who aren't familiar, a scribe is a person who assists the physicians in the emergency room with documentation. They essentially shadow the physician with their patient consults and then document everything so the physicians can be more efficient. In conjunction with this scribe position, I would still volunteer and shadow other specialties.

What would you do?

 

[261766]

I'd do the scribe solely because a tech's job will get repetitive after a while (depending on what kind of tech you are talking about), and the security of such a job offering is not even certain. With a scribe, you can see what patient interaction should be and get to see a variety of cases.

 

[armybound]

Does either one pay better?

 

[dr seuss]

I think being a scribe is better for pre-meds. I wish I had known about it sooner. If I could do it over again I would be a scribe and not ever volunteer in the hospital.

 

[Doctorb2b]

Does either one pay better?

Pay is about the same. In the ER, I would be working in the trauma bays as well as the rest of the ER.

 

[armybound]

do whichever sounds more interesting to you. I really enjoyed my time as a tech in the ICU.

 

[medking]

I'd do the scribe solely because a tech's job will get repetitive after a while (depending on what kind of tech you are talking about), and the security of such a job offering is not even certain. With a scribe, you can see what patient interaction should be and get to see a variety of cases.

I don't know about that. A scribes job gets pretty repetitive too. Write the full history, ROS, exam, labs, radiology reports, medications, diagnosis, etc. I have never been a tech, but I would recommend doing scribe. You really get to work with the physician (right by them) so it's cool. You see everything that they do, well mostly everything (you will not be in the room with the physician for particular exams, if you know what I mean). Great clinical experience.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[LizzyM]

People I've interviewed (for med school) who have been scribes have been very enthusiastic about it.

 

[Spinnaker]

An ER Tech job is the gold standard for the Pre-Med gunning for an MD program. Jump into the scribe position only if it will help you to secure a tech job in short order, as most ER's want at least a year of experience. You'll get to do and see all sorts of cool stuff as a tech. You'll start IV's, do wound care, etc, work with the paramedics, nurses and docs as well as others in the hospital (imaging, etc.) I very much disagree with the other posters on this scribe being better thing. You want to get your hands dirty, not just stand there and write.

But like I said, the ER is going to want someone with previous experience (not just your school rotations) and you don't want to be left high and dry. Look into the scribe thing as a stepping stone if at all possible.

 

[levodopa]

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