Are you looking to start a fulfilling career in healthcare but don’t have a medical degree yet? If so, becoming a virtual medical scribe is the perfect entry point for you!
Medical scribes have made great strides in improving the quality of healthcare. As physicians become busier, it should be a priority to keep them focused on providing top-notch patient care. Virtual medical scribes support this goal by letting healthcare professionals devote their attention to patients and taking over administrative and documentation duties.
On top of the meaningful work virtual scribes do, the job outlook for this role is also very promising! In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 9,600 job openings each year until 2033 will be available for medical scribes.
Itching to learn more about how you can get started on a virtual scribe role? Then, keep on reading.
What is a virtual medical scribe?
Years ago, it may have been unimaginable for healthcare professionals to work solely online or behind a computer. But with technological advancements, roles like medical scribes can now be done virtually, hence, the rise of virtual medical scribes.
A virtual medical scribe is just like your traditional or onsite medical scribe, except that they primarily work in a remote setting.
Instead of working alongside doctors and taking up space in hospitals, virtual medical scribes use video conferencing tools to join in on consultations. They also document and record all patient encounters in an electronic health records (EHR) system.
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What does a virtual medical scribe do?
As a virtual medical scribe, your main job is to swoop in and save the day when physicians start to drown in too much paperwork.
To give you a clearer picture of what virtual medical scribe services include, here’s what a virtual scribe’s typical day might look like:
Documenting critical information during patient visits: Virtual scribes listen in during patient consultations and type up notes in real time. Some essential information they need to take down are medical histories, symptoms, and diagnoses.
Updating the EHR documentation: Instead of doctors entering medical records into the EHR system, virtual scribes take over this task. They keep patient records and charts neat and accurate.
Taking charge of administrative duties: Your job as a virtual scribe doesn’t stop when the patient visit is over. Scribes also take care of administrative duties like handling discharge papers, preparing referrals, and helping patients with prescriptions.
Why is becoming a virtual medical scribe a great move?
More and more healthcare providers are turning to medical scribes to help address issues of physician burnout and documentation overload.
But when you decide to become a virtual medical scribe, what exactly is in it for you? Here are the reasons why virtual scribing is a smart choice:
Rising demand for virtual scribes
As if taking care of multiple patients isn’t exhausting enough, physicians also have to spend their energy typing up medical records. At least, this was the case before virtual scribes happened.
Given how virtual scribes immensely help healthcare providers, it’s only natural that the demand for this role is rising quickly. In short, going into virtual scribing can be a promising career path even in the years ahead.
Work in the comfort of your own home
As long as there’s stable internet, then it’s already a good spot for you to work! The flexibility to work from home or anywhere with a good connection makes virtual scribing an excellent job choice.
Remote working is also ideal for stay-at-home parents, students, or those who just want a change of pace or a better work-life balance. Another plus is you can choose to work part-time or full-time and even your own shifts.
No need for a fancy medical degree
Virtual medical scribe roles are a great entry point for people wanting to work in healthcare but don’t have a medical degree.
You don’t need to become a nurse or doctor for this job if you understand medical terms. And if you don’t have that yet, don’t lose hope since some companies can train you before getting you into the field.
Build strong experience in healthcare
If you dream of becoming a doctor, nurse, or other higher-level healthcare professional, virtual scribing is definitely a good stepping stone.
Being a virtual scribe helps you gain a strong knowledge of EHR systems and medical workflows. Scribes also experience first-hand how to deal with multiple patients, which is a lesson that can’t be taught in classrooms.
All the experiences you build while being a virtual scribe open more doors in the medical field.
How to get started as a virtual medical scribe?
Are you ready to get started on your virtual scribing career? Keep reading to learn the skills you’ll need, some step-by-step tips, and where to find the perfect virtual scribe role for you.
What skills do you need to be qualified for virtual scribing?
Many virtual medical scribe jobs are entry-level and open to interested applicants without experience.
However, certain skills that can give you an edge during the hiring process:
Understanding of medical terms: Even though a medical degree isn’t required, you still need to have a basic knowledge of medical terms. Not only can this make training easier, but it makes the transition to being a scribe much smoother.
Familiarity with EHR systems: Going into the hiring process, knowing how to use EHR tools like Cerner or CareCloud is a plus for your application.
Accurate and fast typing skills: This skill is a must, especially since you need to type records of patient visits in real time. A speed of 40 to 70 words per minute is recommended for aspiring virtual scribes.
No need for micromanagement: Just because employers can’t supervise you all the time doesn’t mean you can slack off. A virtual scribe should be reliable even when working remotely and finish deliverables on time.
What are the steps to becoming a virtual scribe?
If you want to give virtual medical scribing a shot, then here’s a step-by-step guide to landing your first virtual scribe role:
Brush up on medical terminology
Even if you don’t have a background in healthcare, it’s never too late to learn! Use free online resources like YouTube to get comfortable with medical terms. You can even enroll in short-term courses if you have more time.
Start learning EHR tools
Like learning medical terminology, you can also find online resources to learn EHR systems. Even a basic knowledge of these tools can leave a good impression on your employers when applying for a role.
Join a training program
If you prefer a structured learning program, you can join specialized training courses for aspiring scribes! These programs also provide certifications that you can use to boost your credentials and resume.
Try internships or part-time jobs
Nothing beats actual experience when proving you’ve got what it takes. Before you jump into a full-time role, you can try internships or part-time jobs first in clinics or scribing agencies to get a feel of what it’s like.
Apply for medical scribe jobs
Once you’ve learned the necessary skills for a medical scribe job, start updating your resume and looking for medical scribe jobs. Always tailor your cover letter and resume in every application to boost your chances of getting interviewed.
Where do you find virtual medical scribe jobs?
Are your resume and cover letter ready? Start checking out these reliable sites or places to find your first virtual scribe role:
Online job boards: These job boards are the most accessible avenues you can visit when looking for virtual scribing roles. Some websites to check out are LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed.
Virtual scribing agencies: Sending applications to trusted agencies, like DocVA, is also an excellent choice. These agencies provide their hires with proper training and help them land scribing roles with their clients.
Telemedicine apps or platforms: These platforms are always on the lookout for virtual scribes since their business model is all about providing remote care to patients.
Direct application to hospitals and clinics: You can directly check websites of different hospitals or clinics and see if they are in need of virtual medical scribes.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some quick answers to commonly asked questions about becoming a virtual medical scribe:
How do virtual scribes communicate with physicians and patients?
Virtual scribes accompany the physician virtually through secure phone or video calls during patient visits. Since the scribe’s main focus is documentation, they rarely interact with patients unless necessary.
Do I need training and certifications to be a virtual scribe?
While there are no formal certifications to become a virtual scribe, it’s still helpful to undergo additional training to improve your credentials. Healthcare organizations or agencies also provide their own training to new scribes to cover specific workflows in the company.
Can virtual medical scribes work in any specialty?
Yes, virtual scribes can work in different medical specialties and may even get the chance to choose one. Some specialties might require more in-depth knowledge of medical terminology, but you can quickly learn these during training.
Start your career as a virtual medical scribe!
Do you dream of a meaningful healthcare career and want flexibility and work-life balance? Virtual medical scribing ticks all these boxes for you!
Aside from the positive job outlook, virtual medical scribe roles can also be your gateway toward more advanced healthcare roles like doctors, nurses, and others.
The ball is in your court now. Start improving your skills, join training programs, and apply for virtual scribe roles!
