How to Become a Medical Scribe
- A challenging and rewarding way to get clinical experience
- Learn what it takes to land a clinical scribe job.
The healthcare industry continues to offer stable and rewarding career opportunities, especially for individuals seeking roles that are both dynamic and well-compensated. While many industries face automation and job reductions due to technological advancements, healthcare has seen the opposite effect. Innovations such as electronic medical records (EMRs) have created new roles—one of the most in-demand being that of the medical scribe.
At Scribence, we recognize the critical role medical scribes play in supporting physicians and improving patient care. As healthcare documentation becomes more complex and digitally driven, the demand for skilled medical scribes continues to grow.
A medical scribe works alongside physicians to document patient visits in real-time, ensuring accurate, timely entries into the EMR. This support allows doctors to focus fully on their patients, rather than being distracted by screens and data entry. Scribes not only increase clinical efficiency but also enhance the quality of care.
This career path is ideal for individuals interested in healthcare, including those pursuing medical school. In fact, becoming a medical scribe offers more hands-on experience than traditional doctor shadowing, providing real-time exposure to clinical language, decision-making, and workflow.
Medical assistants also transition well into scribe roles, thanks to their understanding of medical terminology and patient care processes.
With the continued digital transformation of healthcare, medical scribes are more essential than ever. Scribence is proud to be at the forefront of this evolving field, offering structured training, career growth, and a meaningful role in improving healthcare delivery.
Great Way to Get Clinical Experience
One of the key drivers behind the intense competition for medical scribe positions lies in the demographics of those pursuing them. Many applicants to professional healthcare programs—including medical, osteopathic, nursing, physical therapy, and chiropractic schools—are required, or at least strongly encouraged, to gain clinical experience as part of the admissions process.
Given the highly competitive nature of these programs, pre-health students are actively seeking roles that provide meaningful exposure to clinical environments. Among the most sought-after opportunities is the role of a medical scribe, widely regarded as one of the best entry-level positions for obtaining hands-on clinical experience.
At Scribence, we understand this demand and are committed to offering aspiring healthcare professionals the opportunity to work closely with physicians, gain in-depth knowledge of medical terminology, and experience the fast-paced reality of patient care. This real-time, immersive experience not only strengthens graduate school applications but also prepares candidates for the rigors of their future healthcare careers. As a result, scribe positions remain highly competitive—and for good reason. They serve as a critical stepping stone for those committed to making a difference in healthcare.
Medical Transcriptionists Seek Scribe Jobs
Another factor contributing to the growing competition for medical scribe positions is the increasing number of professionals transitioning from other areas of healthcare—most notably, medical transcriptionists. While transcription has long played a vital role in clinical documentation, recent advancements in voice recognition technology and the widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) have significantly reduced the demand for traditional transcription services.
Although transcription opportunities still exist, the peak era of medical transcription appears to be behind us. As a result, many transcriptionists are now exploring new paths in the healthcare documentation field, with medical scribing emerging as a promising alternative.
At Scribence, we’ve observed a rising number of transcriptionists seeking to apply their skills in scribing roles. Their strong foundation in medical terminology and documentation can serve as a solid base, but success in medical scribing also requires real-time adaptability, clinical awareness, and direct collaboration with providers—skills that are developed through comprehensive training and experience.
For those ready to evolve with the industry, medical scribing offers a forward-looking career path with continued relevance in today’s healthcare environment.
Keys to Becoming a Clinical Scribe
While the backgrounds mentioned above are not strict requirements for becoming a medical scribe, experience shows that a significant portion—approximately 75%—of those entering the field come from two primary groups: pre-health students and allied health professionals transitioning from other healthcare roles.
At Scribence, we’ve consistently seen that these candidates are drawn to scribing because it offers unparalleled clinical exposure, hands-on learning, and a meaningful stepping stone toward long-term healthcare careers.
That said, individuals from all backgrounds—including those entirely new to the medical field—can succeed as medical scribes. Whether you’re preparing for a future in medicine or looking to enter the healthcare workforce for the first time, there are key qualities and strategies that can help you stand out and thrive in this important role
Multitasking
To excel as a medical scribe, there are several critical skills and abilities you must develop—chief among them is multitasking. At Scribence, we emphasize that scribing is far more complex than simply observing, listening, and typing. It requires the cognitive agility to follow detailed medical conversations while simultaneously navigating and documenting in the electronic health record (EHR) system.
As a scribe, you’ll need to interpret and record a variety of clinical elements in real-time, often entering data across multiple sections of a patient’s chart—such as the history of present illness, review of systems, physical exam findings, and more. This includes structured documentation using point-and-click interfaces for standardized medical histories, as well as entering codes that support quality reporting and clinical billing.
All the while, you’ll be actively listening to the provider-patient interaction. This means capturing key information like recent surgeries, medication updates, or newly reported symptoms—all of which may arise unpredictably throughout the visit. Conversations can shift quickly, and it’s your responsibility to filter the clinical relevance from casual dialogue, ensuring no important detail is missed.
A helpful analogy: imagine being asked to document the color of every car passing on a busy street. While you’re noting one vehicle, several others speed by—each requiring separate classification and accurate entry into different areas of your system. This level of multitasking is what defines the day-to-day challenge and reward of being a medical scribe.
At Scribence, we provide thorough training to equip our scribes with the focus, speed, and accuracy required to thrive in this fast-paced environment.
Computer Skills
A core component of being an effective medical scribe is strong computer proficiency. Since the role primarily involves real-time documentation in electronic health record (EHR) systems, scribes spend the majority of their time working on computers.
Although rare, occasional system downtimes can occur due to server issues or maintenance. During these periods, some scribes may shift temporarily to paper documentation, while others may pause as the physician reverts to manual note-taking. Regardless of the short-term adjustment, all documentation must eventually be entered into the EHR, often resulting in additional work once systems are restored.
For this reason, a scribe’s ability to navigate digital platforms efficiently is just as crucial as their understanding of clinical terminology. Mastery of computer-based tools not only supports accuracy and speed but also ensures seamless collaboration with healthcare providers in fast-paced clinical environments.
Physical and Emotional Endurance
In addition to the technical and clinical skills required for a medical scribe role, physical endurance and emotional resilience are also crucial. At Scribence, we recognize that many scribe positions involve long hours of standing during patient encounters. While there may be moments of sitting in between visits, the majority of the time will likely be spent on your feet, often for extended periods—sometimes up to 30-45 minutes at a time.
Depending on the healthcare facility, you may have your computer placed on a counter in the exam room or use a COW (computer on wheels)—both of which require standing while documenting. This setup demands stamina and the ability to remain focused and composed for prolonged periods. It’s important to ensure that you’re physically prepared for this aspect of the job.
Additionally, as a medical scribe, you will be exposed to a range of emotional situations, including distressing patient outcomes. The ability to maintain emotional stability in such situations is essential. While these moments are inherent to healthcare, it’s crucial to have the emotional resilience to quickly recover, refocus, and continue accurately documenting the next patient’s care.
At Scribence, we train our scribes to navigate both the physical demands of the role and the emotional challenges that may arise, ensuring that they are equipped for a successful and sustainable career in medical scribing.
Typing Speed
Typing speed and accuracy are fundamental skills for medical scribes. While job listings typically specify a minimum typing speed of around 45 words per minute (WPM), aiming for a rate of 60+ WPM is highly recommended for efficiency and effectiveness in the role. Although most employers do not formally assess typing ability through a test during the hiring or training process, it’s essential to recognize the impact that slow typing can have on patient care and workflow.
Scribes who struggle with typing and computer skills can create significant challenges for healthcare providers, potentially slowing down documentation and leading to errors. In some cases, this can disrupt patient care, negatively impacting both the provider and the patient. Healthcare providers, while generally supportive, can be particularly critical when a scribe’s inefficiency compromises the quality of care.
It’s crucial to avoid such situations, especially early in your career. Mastering fast and accurate typing will not only help you succeed in your role but will also ensure you contribute effectively to the team and maintain a positive, professional reputation within the healthcare setting.
Ability to Use EMR Software
In addition to fast typing skills, a medical scribe must possess strong foundational computer skills. The healthcare industry utilizes a wide range of electronic medical record (EMR) and electronic health record (EHR) platforms, and it’s likely that you will encounter different systems at various healthcare facilities. While you will receive training on at least one specific EHR program, the ability to quickly adapt to new platforms is essential.
A scribe must have a natural proficiency with computers to navigate diverse EHR systems with ease, even though each may have its own unique interface and features. While there may be minor challenges in learning the intricacies of different platforms, it is important to overcome these hurdles in order to document patient visits accurately and efficiently.
Furthermore, proficiency with basic computer software, such as Microsoft Office, is crucial. Beyond documenting patient encounters, you will also be responsible for various administrative tasks, such as composing professional business correspondence based on physician dictation. A solid understanding of programs like Word, Excel, and Outlook is necessary for managing these responsibilities effectively.
Language Proficiency
A high level of language proficiency is essential for success as a medical scribe. This includes a strong command of English in both written and verbal forms, as the role requires accurate documentation of patient interactions, medical history, and physician notes.
Scribes must be able to understand and transcribe complex medical terminology, ensuring that all documentation is clear, precise, and professionally written. In addition to technical language skills, effective communication is key when interacting with healthcare providers and patients, ensuring that all relevant details are accurately captured.
Proficiency in English allows scribes to navigate medical documentation systems, compose professional correspondence, and perform clerical duties such as generating reports or summaries with confidence and accuracy.
Essential Knowledge for Scribing
A strong foundation in fundamental medical knowledge is just as crucial for a medical scribe as proficiency in computer skills. This includes understanding key areas such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and pharmacology. While some individuals may secure scribe positions without prior exposure to these subjects, having a solid grasp of these basics prior to starting will give you a distinct advantage and make you a more competitive candidate.
Medical scribing, much like the practice of medicine, builds upon foundational knowledge. If you are already familiar with basic medical concepts, your learning curve will be significantly smoother. For instance, documenting physical exams accurately requires a strong understanding of the human body. Without this foundational knowledge, it can be challenging to keep up with the training process, which can be both intense and fast-paced.
While learning is an ongoing process and there will always be new terms, conditions, and medications to familiarize yourself with, a solid understanding of medical basics will help you navigate these challenges with confidence. It will also reduce the chances of feeling overwhelmed when encountering complex medical language during doctor-patient interactions.
Where are Scribe Jobs?
Now that you are aware of the essential skills for success as a medical scribe and ways to develop them, the next question is: where can you apply these skills? While medical scribe roles are widely recognized for their origins in emergency rooms, the role has expanded rapidly into a variety of healthcare settings over the past few decades. Today, scribes are found not only in hospitals and emergency departments but also in rehabilitation centers, specialty clinics, and a range of other medical facilities.
When considering a scribe position, it’s essential to evaluate the different work environments and how each might align with your preferences. Hospitals and emergency rooms typically offer more intense work environments with flexible hours and varying shifts. In contrast, positions in clinics may offer more predictable schedules, often aligning with standard business hours.
Given the competitive nature of the scribe job market, you may need to seize the first opportunity that arises. However, it’s crucial to carefully weigh the perks and drawbacks of each setting to determine which best suits your lifestyle and career goals.
At Scribence, we offer our employees an added benefit: anyone who completes our specialized scribe training program and demonstrates strong performance will have a 100% chance of securing a position within our company. We are committed to helping our team members succeed and providing opportunities for growth within our organization.
What opportunities will you get if you complete Courses from us?
Completing a scribe course with Scribence opens doors to significant opportunities. Upon successful completion of our training program, there is a 100% guarantee of securing a job within our company, provided you demonstrate strong performance throughout the training. We are committed to nurturing talent and offering a clear pathway to employment.
Additionally, as part of our team, you will gain access to exclusive healthcare facilities for treatment at specific partner hospitals, ensuring that your wellbeing is prioritized. These benefits, combined with professional growth within our organization, make completing a course with us a rewarding step toward a successful and fulfilling career in the healthcare industry.