Have you ever wondered about the role of scribes in modern-day life or asked the question: “How long does it take to become a scribe?” If so, then keep reading!
The Role of Scribes Throughout History
Scribes have existed for thousands of years. In ancient civilizations, they were the only people to have knowledge of — and the ability to — write. Thus, they attended important meetings and events, documenting what was said and done. In essence, they were the record keepers of history, often educated for years (sometimes a decade or more!) and considered among the most important members of society.
Modern-Day Scribes
Today — even though nearly everyone has the ability to read and write — scribes play much the same role. They still document activities, copy texts and perform other clerical and administrative duties for a group or organization. Thankfully, it just doesn’t take quite as long to master the profession as it did 5,000 years ago!
Medical Scribes
Some of the most common modern-day scribes are medical scribes. A medical scribe is a professional who has been trained to assist physicians and other healthcare providers with the electronic documentation of patient records. Since the mid-2010s, the U.S. government has mandated that all records of patient encounters be documented electronically. While extremely beneficial to the accessibility and transparency of patient care, electronic documentation is nevertheless a time-consuming responsibility for physicians. Medical scribes work alongside doctors, taking notes and adding them to patients’ electronic health records (EHRs) so that providers are able to focus more fully on other parts of their jobs.
Medical Scribe Job Requirements
There are no specific educational criteria to become a medical scribe. Therefore, it’s a bit hard to answer: “How long does it take to become a scribe?” However, be assured it doesn’t take years. On the contrary, a reputable scribe company provides comprehensive training for its scribes that typically lasts just weeks, meaning you could be a working scribe in as little as one to two months. Indeed, how long it takes to become a scribe is usually dependent on the company with which you choose to train, as most have their own curricula and training schedule. Here at Provider’s Choice Scribe Services, for example, we provide both classroom and hands-on instruction that concludes within weeks. Because we only seek qualified candidates with an interest or background in medicine, we are able to hit the ground running with intensive training right from the start, getting our scribes ready for real-life work more quickly and a lot more effectively than a lot of our competitors since our candidates already come to us well-prepared.
Want to Learn More?
So, “how long does it take to become a scribe?” The answer is really up to you. Hardworking, honest, and motivated individuals can become a medical scribe relatively quickly. In some instances — like when you choose to partner with our team at Provider’s Choice Scribe Services —you can start making money before you actually become a scribe; we pay our prospective scribe applicants throughout the duration of training, which allows you to support yourself well before you become a working scribe! Please contact us to learn more about our training opportunities and the benefits of working as a Provider’s Choice medical scribe.
