There is an increasing demand for medical virtual scribe jobs as healthcare providers start to combine the benefits of remote work with having scribes.
A study in Annals Internal Medicine shows that doctors spend 34% to 49% of their day on desk work, which reduces the time they could’ve allotted for patient care.
Remote medical scribes solve this problem by handling administrative tasks, enabling doctors to respond to patient cases quickly.
Apart from helping healthcare professionals, virtual medical scribe positions have a positive job outlook as more people embrace telemedicine.
If you want a fulfilling career in the medical field while working from home, read on and learn everything you need about remote medical scribe jobs.
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What are remote medical scribe jobs?
Simply put, remote scribe jobs are like the traditional scribe role but done virtually.
Scribes help doctors take real-time notes during doctor-patient encounters and correctly update their records.
Since remote scribes mainly work from home, they use video calls and recordings along with a high-speed internet connection to participate in patient appointments.
Key Responsibilities
You can view remote scribes as the doctor’s personal assistant or right-hand person for all things documentation.
Here are their primary responsibilities in the role:
Documenting accounts of patient visits
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Correctly take down and update information from patient visits, including histories, examinations, and complaints.
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This lets physicians respond and focus on urgent care without worrying about missing records.
Updating electronic health records (EHR)
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A big part of your job is to input patient data into the EHR system correctly and update them with the latest information.
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This helps doctors get the information they need to provide the best patient care.
Assisting with medical transcription
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During patient visits, transcribe medical notes, terminologies, and dictations to include in their records.
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Your transcription helps in preventing any misinterpretation and correctly verifying the doctor’s actual spoken notes.
Managing post-appointment instructions
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You correctly relay the doctor’s follow-up instructions and prescriptions to the patient.
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By clarifying these instructions, you help patients continuously get the care they need.
What benefits do virtual medical scribes enjoy?
There are numerous benefits to becoming a remote scribe in the medical field. Here are some of them:
Improved work-life balance
Being a remote worker allows you to be anywhere with a stable internet connection. Depending on your needs, you can choose to be a full-time or part-time scribe.
Imagine enjoying a view or going on a trip while still earning and accomplishing your tasks – that’s the reality you’ll get as a remote scribe.
Broad exposure to different medical fields
The flexibility of medical scribe jobs gives you well-rounded exposure to various patient interactions and specializations like pediatrics, cardiology, and more.
Vast career opportunities
Your scribe background provides you strong foundation to move onto higher roles or advance to other career opportunities in the healthcare industry.
What are the challenges of being a remote medical scribe?
Becoming a scribe has its challenges for you to consider before getting into this career.
Let’s get into it.
Choosing a technical setup and workspace
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Working remotely means you need to build a reliable tech setup, obtain a good internet connection, and regularly update your software.
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Even when you can work from anywhere, always choose a quiet and professional workspace especially when working full-time.
Handling stress and responsibilities
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Some days are more stressful than usual, especially when there’s a high volume of cases coming in.
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To respond better to pressure and stress, use time-management techniques like Pomodoro or time-blocking, and take regular breaks to prevent burnout.
Ensuring compliance with regulations
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As a medical practitioner, it’s your responsibility to follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
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To do so, you should only use communication tools with enhanced security and encryption features as you respond to cases with sensitive information.
How do I become a remote medical scribe?
Are you excited to begin your remote medical scribe career?
To get you started, let’s discuss the skills you’ll need and some tips to land remote scribe jobs:
What skills do you need as a virtual scribe?
Here are the skills and qualifications you need to be a competitive remote scribe:
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Relevant experience and know-how: Knowledge of medical terminologies or human anatomy is highly helpful, but what’s most important is familiarity with how the healthcare industry works.
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Medical scribing skills: You need to be detail-oriented, tech-savvy, and have strong skills in listening, typing, and working with EHR systems. Communication skills and empathy also help you respond and build good connections with patients.
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Certifications: Although not required, obtaining certifications like Certified Medical Scribe Professional (CMSP) gives you an advantage during the screening process.
What are tips for landing virtual medical scribe roles
Preparation and persistence are key when looking for remote scribe jobs.
Here are some tips you could follow for your job search:
Resume preparation: Modify your resume to fit the job description of the role you’re applying for and focus on the skills and experience that make you qualified for the job.
Networking: Join forums and build a connection with other healthcare professionals who could help you find remote scribe opportunities.
Use online job portals: Finding a job online using sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor can help you review more job listings quickly.
Interested in a virtual medical scribe job?
Virtual medical scribe jobs are a big game-changer in the healthcare industry as they help more doctors provide quality care for patients.
On top of that, medical scribes can also enjoy the flexibility and benefits of working remotely.
After learning the different responsibilities, benefits, and challenges of being a remote scribe, it’s time for you to step up and take this career opportunity in your hands.
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