Healthcare has never been this tech-enabled. Physicians have been using electronic health records (EHR) systems and telemedicine more than ever.
Many healthcare providers are also adopting virtual offices in their facilities to prioritize safety, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Along with these technological developments is the rise of virtual medical scribe roles.
What does this mean for you, an aspiring medical scribe?
If you’re exploring virtual roles, this article will explain the responsibilities, benefits, and trends in virtual medical scribing.
What does being a virtual medical scribe mean? 
Being a virtual medical scribe is a critical support role in healthcare facilities. It means you’ll be working remotely (from your own home or a coworking space) to assist healthcare providers by documenting patient encounters in real time during consultations.
A virtual scribe’s primary responsibility is to enter detailed notes and medical details into an electronic medical record (EMR) system, helping doctors better concentrate on providing better patient care instead of being burdened by administrative tasks.
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Key aspects of a virtual medical scribe’s role
A. Real-time documentation
A remote medical scribe records detailed information into the EHR by listening to the conversation between a healthcare provider and patient, either through a telehealth platform or audio feed.
This includes recording the patient’s medical history, symptoms, doctor’s diagnosis, treatment plans, and any additional notes for follow-up care.
B. Remote work
As a remote medical scribe, you work from home or any location with internet access. You connect to the healthcare provider’s system via secure platforms, enabling real time access to patient’s records and dictation.
C. HIPAA compliance
Ensuring the patient’s confidentiality is a crucial part of your role. Virtual medical scribes must adhere to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, which govern the privacy and security of healthcare data.
D. Administrative support
In addition to real-time documentation, a virtual scribe may assist with managing lab results, updating patient charts, and supporting administrative tasks such as referral documentation, prescription orders, or follow-up scheduling.
E. Collaboration
While you work remotely, the role involves close collaboration with the healthcare provider to ensure that all patient interactions are accurately recorded. This helps improve the efficiency and effectiveness of patient care.
Skills required for a virtual medical scribe
High school diploma or healthcare-related degree
Strong grasp of medical terminology, human anatomy, urgent care, and documentation procedures
Fast and accurate typing skills to keep up with live interactions with patients
Strong work ethic
Familiarity with EHR systems like Epic, Cerner, or similar platforms
Attention to detail to ensure medical records are accurate and compliant
Time management and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced healthcare environment
Knowledge of HIPAA regulations to protect patient information
Excellent verbal communication skills
Ability to work well with a diverse team and interact professionally with patients
Some employers may require you to gain clinical experience
Drug screen required as well
Salary of a virtual medical scribe
1. Entry level virtual medical scribes
According to ZipRecruiter:
Full time employees earn an hourly rate of $12 to $20 per hour
Annual salary of $20,000 to $30,000 (based on part-time or full-time hours)
Entry-level scribes typically earn on the lower end of the scale, especially if they have little prior medical experience or are just starting in the scribing field.
2. Experienced virtual medical scribes
Hourly rate of $15 to $20 per hour
Annual salary of $30,000 to $50,000
Experienced scribes familiar with specific medical specialties like cardiology, emergency medicine, or dermatology may earn higher hourly wages.
3. Senior scribes or lead scribes
Hourly rate of $20 to $25+ per hour
Annual salary of $40,000 to $60,000
Scribes with several years of experience, those who take on a leadership role or facilitate training, or scribes working in high-demand medical areas can command a higher salary.
Benefits of being a virtual medical scribe
Remote work flexibility
Virtual scribes can work from home or any location with reliable internet access, allowing for flexibility and work-life balance.
Healthcare exposure
For people interested in medical careers, scribing provides valuable exposure to clinical processes, patient care, and medical terminology. This is especially beneficial for pre-med students.
Skill development
The role develops skills in medical documentation, EHRs, and HIPAA compliance, which are all transferable to other healthcare careers.
Career advancement opportunities
Virtual scribes can move up to more senior roles, such as Lead Scribe, Trainer, or even into medical coding or administrative roles in healthcare. Those pursuing a medical career gain a strong foundation for further studies.
Potential employer benefits
Health insurance, retirement plans (401k), paid time off (PTOs), and professional development are some benefits you’ll get once you’re hired as a scribe.
Job security
The demand for medical scribes, especially in virtual roles, has been increasing due to the rise of telemedicine and the need for more efficient patient documentation.
Virtual medical scribing: Should you pursue it?
Virtual medical scribing offers flexible, remote work with excellent exposure to healthcare processes. The demand for telemedicine rises, so do opportunities for scribes to build skills and advance in the medical field, making it an ideal stepping stone for those pursuing a healthcare career.
