A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

medical scribe - eyolar2001

Posted: Mar 12, 2015

Hi everyone - I am a long term lurker on this site. I have been a transcriptionist for 24 years, working as an independent MTSO, inhouse acute care, working at home for acute care, and also for several online companies. I was burned out and gave up transcription to become a personal care attendant, which I loved, but it cut my pay in half. I then got hired as a medical scribe for a cardiology group and I just wanted to tell you how invigorated I have become and now in love I am with this position! I am working M-F, 8-5, no weekends, no holidays. My duties include live-scribing office notes by accompanying the doctor into the office visit with the patient, creating the HPI in my own words, according to the doctor's style (of course, each of the 6 docs I work with have their own style and in the beginning it was exceedingly difficult but after 4 months at it, things are a breeze). I also document all physical exam findings, add any new testing the patient has had in the interim and record the EKG and then the doctor dictates to me his assessment and plan, sometimes right then in the office visit, but often just after the visit is over. I then close the note so he can sign it and add his orders for meds, testing etc. This position is my dream job and I just wanted to let everyone know who struggles with their transcription position that there is a wonderful new way to use our skills! As a scribe, I am helping the office to see more patients, helping the doctors focus on the patients and NOT the computer. The only downside, and it is not really a downside, is I am standing most of the time with my computer on a cart, but I have to tell you, after 24 years of sitting on my butt, standing feels SO GOOD! Just wanted to share my experience :) and to top it off? I am paid VERY well.

How much are you making? - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I am happy that you found a job that makes you excited about working again! I wish I had the same.

If you don't mind my asking, how much do you make as a scribe in office? I would love to get back out in the workforce, but I can't find anything that can afford me to work outside of the house and pay for daycare for my 4-year-old.

Do you realize what she makes in her city and what - you might make are SM

[ In Reply To ..]
completely different?

Everybody wants to jump on the dollar bandwagon right away - how much do you make?? without even considering location and cost of living differences around the country.

I might get a scribe job here for 8.00/hr but go 2 hours north and I may get 12.00/hr, but then again the housing and other costs are higher up there as well.

Google around for scribe jobs, see what they pay for goodness sake, and decide if that wage in your city is suitable for you. That is, if there are even any scribe jobs in your area. That's another thing to consider before the dollar signs blind you.

I live in a suburb of Philadelphia. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Yep, I do realize her wage might be different from what would be available in this area. IT WAS JUST A QUESTION.

But if being snooty and rude makes you happy, then go for it.

I live in a mid-size town of about 50,000 people and I am making $17.50/hr - eyolar

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

notreality - needacheck

[ In Reply To ..]
most hospitals are not going to pony up $17.50 for a scribe. remember the reason they got rid of us was to cut money. so why would they turn around and spend money on us by calling it a different name? makes no sense. one in a thousand will get this job, maybe.

Scribes are not just stand-up MTs - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I think you don't understand what a scribe does.

When paper records were the norm, it made sense for a doctor to summarize care by dictating it for an MT to transcribe onto PAPER.

Now, however, EHRs require different input than pieces of paper, and they offer more live, real-time information to the physician, requiring the physician to spend time dealing with the EHR during the patient visit.

They got rid of YOU to save money, but scribes are not performing the same function. Read what that scribe told you she did.

You don't think hospitals will pay 17.50 an hour for scribes? They might not, but EDs and doctors will. They are already paying that much or more when they contract with scribing services. The low wages you see those scribes making are less than half of what the company charges, just as your MTSO charges far more than the pittance you get.

seriously? - nocomplaints

[ In Reply To ..]
So all we hear on this board is grumbling and complaining, and here someone is, making a better salary, doing what she loves, and all you can do is diss her and put her down? Like my young children have learned, usually bullies are not happy with themselves and just want to to make everyone else as miserable as they are.
To the scribe, good for you! That is something I would definitely look into if I didn't work in a barely-there town :) Maybe some others on here who see that there is a bright side to things may decide to try this for themselves. Thanks for the info!

Have heard of a one horse town, now your - barely-there town

[ In Reply To ..]
Brought a smile to my face, cute barely- there town must be really small.

Keep your eyes open, nocomplaints. - Please sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I live in a town where people are outnumbered by the cow/horse/llama population. There is an ortho scribe position available here. It is only for 2 days, so not a good fit for me.

To the OP, it always nice to hear about someone who is doing well. Gives me hope that someday it will be my turn. :)

Scribe - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
My family doc was asking if I'd thought about doing that the last time I was in to see him. I know I could do it, but the problem I'd have would be prolonged standing. It would kill my back. It's good to know that our jobs are progressing some. The best of luck to you!

Pay for scribes - McFeist

[ In Reply To ..]
An OB doctor whom I know through my bicycling club practically begged me to come scribe for him at $20 an hour because his new EMR was slowing him down so much. He is losing money by not being able to see as many patients. This was private practice clinic work. I did not do it because I had just accepted a great position with a facility closer to my home in my new career as a surgical tech.

scribe pay - susan5

[ In Reply To ..]
I've heard that some of these jobs pay $8.50 and you say $20. I wonder why the big difference in pay?

Explanation and link to more - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Scribe companies charge the client much more than they pay the scribe. Hospitals and physician groups are paying the companies $25 or more. The scribe only gets part of that working for a staffing company, but can get more working directly for the doctor or hospital.

See the link below for a very good description of why physician's are going with scribes.

In your own words? - Really?

[ In Reply To ..]
I hope you understand the liability attached to doing clinical documentation using you own words.

These excuses amaze me. - Good grief!

[ In Reply To ..]
There is NO LIABILITY because the doctor assumes responsibility when he reviews and signs it. Look up the captain of the ship doctrine.

The excuses MTs use to discourage others from this career field astound me. Risk of contagion, fear of smelling something, invasion of privacy, having to stand up, need for appropriate attire, need to leave the home, learning something new, and now LIABILITY.

These are such non-issues it isn't funny. I work in a hospital. Like everyone else there, I go to work, dress appropriately, wear actual shoes, stand up, walk long distances, deal with sick people and their families, and even I occasionally end up in rooms with patients, smelling things, seeing blood and dead bodies, and everything else. Nobody dies from this.

Let's use some real excuses instead. Things like you have to get up on time and be responsible, have to wash and brush your teeth, have to be nice to people, can't chain-smoke, can't drink all day, can't do drugs, can't listen to music or watch TV all day, have to have graduated from high school and can't have a criminal record.

I wasn't discouraging anyone - Fact checker

[ In Reply To ..]
I make more money than the scribe doing transcription QA and I'm not jealous. I've never worked at home, don't smoke and I certainly know what it means to dress up and show up. However, all one has to do is Google "scribe liability" to realize that this is an issue. In some circumstances, the physician is responsible, in others such as when the scribe is on a contract and works for a service, the scribe is liable. HIPAA guidelines state that the provider is responsible for the HPI. There's shared liability in clinical documentation, even in medical transcription. It's something to think about when accepting a scribe job, not just how much money they are going to pay you.

HIPAA has nothing to do with the HPI - Check your facts better

[ In Reply To ..]
I am afraid you are mistaken. HIPAA has nothing to do with the HPI. You are thinking of the CMS E&M requirement that the physician has to elicit the HPI himself, but only has to verify and reference the ROS and past history, which can be taken by anyone.

There is no more of an issue with a scribe recording a physician's elicitation and discussion of an HPI than there is of the PE or assessment.

CMS already issued a statement allowing the use of scribes.

There is liability in coding, but I certainly don't let that keep me from doing it.

Nope! Not letting a scribe in the room with - me

[ In Reply To ..]
I won't do it. I don't want another person in the room with me and the doctor. I have enough problems talking to the doctor about my personal stuff. I can't do it with someone else I do not trust in the room with me. If any of my doctors get a scribe I will find another provider. There are plenty to choose from.

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