What to expect at a Scribe interview?

[drchinn]

So I will most likely be interviewing for a Scribe position this week and want to know what to expect. I imagine it would be something similar to what I'd hear in a medschool interview or any job interview for that matter. Should I expect to get quizzed on medical terminology?

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[rbnsafsadgf]

Why medicine? Why do you want this job? Tell me about <item on your application>.

Do you present yourself well? Do you seem responsible? Are you enthusiastic?

I took a typing test too, but no medical terms. Medical terminology could be fair game, if they require it.

 

[mjjdm1985]

The scribe interview is nothing to worry about. Make sure the interviewer can see that you're interested in becoming a doctor and tell him/her why. Make sure you are aware of the commitment when they ask you about it which they probably will.

My interview was entirely conversational and easy-going.

They won't ask you medical terminology because they train you in medical terminology so they'll give you a binder to study.

 

[SilentSoldier]

My scribe interview was kinda nerve racking, the doctor who interviewed me was like "this position is much more than a clinical experience to be put on you application. We want you to be serious and yadda yadda yadda." He pretty much scared me as compared to the head scribes who were there interviewing me.

I guess expect to be asked about why medicine and how you feel the job will help you attain that goal. As far as medical terminology, that's what training is for so don't worry about that. Hopefully your interview isn't as scary as mine was

 

[drchinn]

Great responses! I'm looking to do this as a full-time job while I'm waiting to get into medical school next year, so I see it as more than just a resume/application builder. I've got most of the medical school interview questions down so I'm not too worried about the interview because I know where I stand on many issues.

 

[drchinn]

Another quick question. On my CV I put that I wrote an undergraduate honors thesis. Since being a Scribe requirres scientific writing, maybe I should bring a copy of it to my interview? I was told that bringing my CV was optional and that my two interviewers would have copies of my application. I don't see how it could hurt because it was pretty interesting.

 

[soccerkid9]

I have a scribe interview later this week. What would be the appropriate attire to wear to the interview? Should I wear a suit and tie or jeans and a polo? Or something in between?

 

[Stumpyman]

I have a scribe interview later this week. What would be the appropriate attire to wear to the interview? Should I wear a suit and tie or jeans and a polo? Or something in between?

Depends on the program/interviewer. I'd wear a polo, no jeans, optional tie.

 

[Sabio23]

Business casual is appropriate. For mine, I had khakis, white collar shirt and tie. Nice and simple. A polo should be fine though.

 

[sunflower18]

I have a Scribe interview this week too, via Skype. Do you guys have any recommendations on how to make a good impression with just a voice and face? I am worried that it will be awkward.

 

[Sabio23]

Mine was through skype as well, it wasn't awkward at all though. Just make sure you're in a quiet area with a reliable internet connection and good lighting. Otherwise just treat it like any other interview and be prepared for the standard questions (i.e. why medicine, why be a scribe).

 

[sunflower18]

Mine was through skype as well, it wasn't awkward at all though. Just make sure you're in a quiet area with a reliable internet connection and good lighting. Otherwise just treat it like any other interview and be prepared for the standard questions (i.e. why medicine, why be a scribe).

Good plan. Thanks for the advice! I probably would have forgotten to think about lighting if you hadn't mentioned it, so I appreciate it 🙂

 

[ManBroDude]

Scribe here. They are looking for well-adjusted people with no history of flaking and LOTS OF AVAILABILITY.
I got hired when I told them I would quit my full time job on the spot, and I was only taking one weekend class at the time.

 

[vadeem]

Hey I was wondering if any of you guys could direct me to a medical scribe website? How do you guys find positions and is it locally?

 

[sunflower18]

Scribe here. They are looking for well-adjusted people with no history of flaking and LOTS OF AVAILABILITY.
I got hired when I told them I would quit my full time job on the spot, and I was only taking one weekend class at the time.

Uh oh. I'm a full time student with another part-time job. Hopefully they don't mind 🙂

 

[patchouli]

Did they give you a drug test? If yes, what kind?

 

[Pacna]

So I will most likely be interviewing for a Scribe position this week and want to know what to expect. I imagine it would be something similar to what I'd hear in a medschool interview or any job interview for that matter. Should I expect to get quizzed on medical terminology?

I just had 2 scribe interviews. I got the job at the second place.

Some questions off the top of my head that I can remember:
What kind of extracurricular writing have you done? Something like creative writing?
What do you do in your free time?
When are you applying to medical school?
What other things are you planning to do while you work for us? (Note: the correct answer is NOTHING. They think you can handle no other things while you're a scribe, or maybe it's just that they don't want to have to compete with other things in your life. There are plenty of applicants.)

Make sure to tell them they have 100% of your availability.
Tell them you can type fast.
Tell them you know medical terminology fairly well, but you know that there is a lot to learn and you're excited to soak it up.

Last but not least, smile! Both interviews were with lead scribes. They will be working directly with you. They want to work with somebody they like.

 

[Pacna]

Did they give you a drug test? If yes, what kind?

Nope! Just asked for immunology history.

 

[muibee22]

The most important thing is to tell them you have open availability and you are able to work night shifts. They may ask general interview questions like weaknesses, how you handle difficult situations, and anything that makes you unique. They are just trying to get a feel of you as a person.

Also, be honest. If you lie about your open availability, don't be surprised when you get fired for not improving as expected before your evaluation. You need to work a lot in the beginning to learn the vast amount of info. One shift a week is definitely not enough.

Just my 2 cents. 🙂

 

[milkphlegm]

First of all, good luck! I was a scribe for almost two years while I was in college and I totally loved it. Willingness to learn, ability to multitask and work under pressure, and a drive to go into medicine were the biggest things for the company I worked for. My interview wasn't intimidating at all. They didn't ask medical terminology questions, as we were going to be trained before working.

Did they give you a drug test? If yes, what kind?

I'm pretty sure I peed in a cup. I think it had more to do with the hospital than the scribe company I worked for though. It would be a standard urine drug panel.

 

[milkphlegm]

So everyone is mentioning open availability - what about school and classes? I obviously can't miss class for work, are you guys meaning to say something more like "Outside of the time I have class, my availability is open for this position."?

I don't think all companies are the same. As far as availability goes, they expect anything any other part time job would expect. You can't write off nights and weekends for example.

They will be understanding of class schedules and other academic commitments, because they know all their employees are pre-health. Everyone will for the most part be in classes and have other EC's. it's more about not being greedy with good hours and willing to cover when a coworker needs help.

 

[sunflower18]

So everyone is mentioning open availability - what about school and classes? I obviously can't miss class for work, are you guys meaning to say something more like "Outside of the time I have class, my availability is open for this position."?

My company says that school comes first, scribing comes second. They have an incentive for you to do well in school -- if you get good grades and get accepted to med school, they can boast those stats. My company says over 80% of their scribes get into med school. They want us to succeed in school so they can keep that number high!

 

[The_huntsman]

Another quick question. On my CV I put that I wrote an undergraduate honors thesis. Since being a Scribe requirres scientific writing, maybe I should bring a copy of it to my interview? I was told that bringing my CV was optional and that my two interviewers would have copies of my application. I don't see how it could hurt because it was pretty interesting.

no offense but if u seriously think they care about ur thesis ur sadly mistaken