What computer programs do medical scribes use?

[LongApple]

I googled this, and it doesn't seem to come up

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS758US758&ei=IpZOXMqbCaum_QakvKnYAw&q=what+computer+programs+do+medical+scribes+use?&oq=what+computer+programs+do+medical+scribes+use?&gs_l=psy-ab.3...21280.21944..22135...0.0..0.164.671.7j1......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j35i39.rb8lUFc062Q

I understand during medical scribe interviews they might ask you
"Do you have good computer skills? Have you worked with medical programs before?"

1. For the first part, I don't really know what they are looking for - I can code and will have an engineering degree by then but I don't see how that would help to be a scribe. Really I don't know what they are looking for. Are they asking if I can type fast?

2. What are the programs used?

3. How can I get experience with a medical program scribes would use before I interview to be a scribe?

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[Melchizedek]

I googled this, and it doesn't seem to come up

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS758US758&ei=IpZOXMqbCaum_QakvKnYAw&q=what+computer+programs+do+medical+scribes+use?&oq=what+computer+programs+do+medical+scribes+use?&gs_l=psy-ab.3...21280.21944..22135...0.0..0.164.671.7j1......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j35i39.rb8lUFc062Q

I understand during medical scribe interviews they might ask you
"Do you have good computer skills? Have you worked with medical programs before?"

1. For the first part, I don't really know what they are looking for - I can code and will have an engineering degree by then but I don't see how that would help to be a scribe. Really I don't know what they are looking for. Are they asking if I can type fast?

2. What are the programs used?

3. How can I get experience with a medical program scribes would use before I interview to be a scribe?

1. Yes, they're looking for someone who can type fast. Most scribe agencies will ask you to submit to a typing test that will spit out a wpm and an accuracy score. Beyond that, they're also looking for someone who can adapt to a new program and learn functions, shortcuts, etc quickly. If you can code, this probably isn't an issue for you.

2. Depends on the institution you get sent to, not on the scribe agency. Common Electronic Medical Records (EMR's) include Powerchart, Dragon, and EPIC (I think EPIC is slowly taking over).

3. As a lay person, you can't get access to the higher end programs that hospitals use because they are proprietary and even from system to system can vary based on each hospital/Private practice/Specific unit's needs. The best you can try is to play around with some of these to get an idea of what you'll be working with, but under NO circumstances is learning those programs considered "experience working with EMR."
The only real way to claim "experience working with EMR" is to actually use it in a clinical setting.

 

[LongApple]

1. Yes, they're looking for someone who can type fast. Most scribe agencies will ask you to submit to a typing test that will spit out a wpm and an accuracy score.

1. What typing test did you or scribes you know have to fill out? What program or website?
Maybe I can try one out that has been used for scribes before and see how I do to. I'd be more worried about accuracy than speed for me.

The only real way to claim "experience working with EMR" is to actually use it in a clinical setting.

2. Is there any way to do this before becoming a scribe? Does anyone? I wonder why they would ask if applicants have experience with medical programs.
I guess if someone has been a scribe before but I can't think of anything else

 

[Melchizedek]

1. What typing test did you or scribes you know have to fill out? What program or website?
Maybe I can try one out that has been used for scribes before and see how I do to. I'd be more worried about accuracy than speed for me.



2. Is there any way to do this before becoming a scribe? Does anyone? I wonder why they would ask if applicants have experience with medical programs.
I guess if someone has been a scribe before but I can't think of anything else

1. The two companies I know ask you to go to this site, and ask you to include a screenshot of your results for the initial application. This is only for an initial screen though. During the interview and hiring process, they have their own programs you go in and do a type test on to verify your score.

2. Sorry, if you're not already in a healthcare position, I don't really see a way. This question is usually to screen and find people switching scribing companies, or in one case I know someone that was an EMT who went back school and wanted to part-time scribe to make money (continuing their EMT job was too taxing during school/licensing issues etc.). While the emergency services' EMR isn't the same thing as a program a scribe might encounter, they technically had been working with the same record-keeping type software.

 

[student9s]

Hi LongApple,

The following notes are from my experiences scribing in multiple ERs for a decent size scribe company in Texas:

Typing
When I scribed I had to take a typing test. The test was something generic found online for finding out how fast someone can type in words per minute (wpm). >50 wpm is probably a good baseline.

Interview
The interview I had was basic, and its in my opinion that no special experiences with computers are needed to get hired. Most scribes are pre-health college students or gap year people. They basically asked me why I wanted the job, can I work with a team, how do I take criticism, etc... maybe 10 minutes over video call, followed by setting up training orientation date.

Computer Program
The actual EHR/EMR program varies. Mostly EPIC is used. I had to use one called MedHost. I could never find a way to access this at home to practice, though we did have access to a few videos explaining its basic features.

In addition to the EHR, I used basic text editors (word or notepad) to record notes. Sometimes pen and paper (trauma room didn’t allow us to bring laptops in).

No coding is done. Basically the EHR requires a bunch of clicks and paragraphs. When in doubt, ask the doc (or trainer scribe if you are training). Each doc has different preferences. Some want only clicks, some want only paragraphs 😛

Advice
I wouldn’t sweat the application too much. If you can get an engineering degree, you have the basic intelligence/diligence to scribe. I think a big factor is your hours/availability since they need people to work the crazy shifts.

I’d apply to several companies. I went with the one that could get me working the quickest (unfortunately it had the lowest pay, but alas I needed the experience for apps).


I also trained new scribes so I'm familiar with common problems new scribes have. Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[mehc012]

1. What typing test did you or scribes you know have to fill out? What program or website?
Maybe I can try one out that has been used for scribes before and see how I do to. I'd be more worried about accuracy than speed for me.



2. Is there any way to do this before becoming a scribe? Does anyone? I wonder why they would ask if applicants have experience with medical programs.
I guess if someone has been a scribe before but I can't think of anything else

Literally go to Google and type in "typing test" and click on any link that pops up. Take the test. That is your typing speed. It factors in errors.
Nobody practices EMRs before scribing, or even before med school or residency (assuming your med school didn't have the same system as your residency). It's a thing you learn on the job.