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Medical Scribing and How It Benefits Pre-Med School Students

Posted: 7th October 2020 09:21

If your end goal is to go to med school and embark on a career in medicine, know that many students begin their journey as a medical scribe. This career provides you with tons of opportunities to immerse yourself in the medicine world, giving you hands-on experience in how to deal with patients, as well as working alongside a physician. If you’re unsure of what path to take, here is a guide on medical scribing and how it can benefit pre-med school students.

What Is Medical Scribing?

A medical scribe is essentially a personal assistant to a physician, gathering information for the patient’s visit and performing documentation for the EHR. Throughout your career as a medical scribe, you will gain invaluable wisdom and knowledge from medical professionals which can help you excel in med school. Medical scribes typically work in a variety of healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, or an urgent care center.

Duties and Responsibilities

The primary duties and responsibilities of a medical scribe are to record details of a patient’s exam, current complaints, clinical history, and diagnoses and procedures performed by healthcare professionals. Medical scribers also handle other administrative tasks which allows the physician to dedicate their sole focus into patient care.

Skills and Attributes

To flourish in medical scribing, there are several key traits and characteristics that you must possess. Having a passion for the medical field, being able to work well under pressure, and being eager to learn will help you stand out from other candidates when applying for med school. As you will be working alongside a physician, it’s vital that you have excellent communication skills and listen to other people’s points of view. Medical scribers need to be confident in their abilities and pay close attention to detail.

Training

To become a medical scriber, there are training programs that you can embark on which teach you the A-Z of the field. The EPPA Scribes program is one of the most sought-after courses by pre-med students. Medical scribe training can take various forms, such as online courses, specialized training by large organizations, and reading books. Whichever route you pick, make sure that you look into entry requirements and course fees.

Med School Advantages

If you plan to apply for medical school in the future, becoming a medical scribe and gaining experience and expertise can boost your application and help increase the chances of you being accepted. As you will gain quality clinical experience and build a network of medical providers, these can come in handy when it comes to asking for a letter of recommendation. You may even find physician mentors that can stay with you throughout your professional endeavors.

If you’re eager to learn and are enthusiastic about medicine, beginning your career as a medical scribe can be a great chance to obtain a better grasp of the medical field. Before going to med school, working as a medical scribe will teach you invaluable skills and attributes that you can implement into your studies and future professional endeavors.

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