Medical scribes are becoming increasingly essential in the healthcare industry today. They assist physicians in clinical settings with documenting patient encounters, recording important data, and ensuring accurate medical records. The role of a medical scribe is in high demand, and it’s no wonder why-you get to work alongside doctors and other healthcare workers, learn firsthand medical terminology, and gain valuable clinical experience. But while you’re making valuable contributions to the healthcare team, it’s also essential that you earn a medical scribe that supports your expenses. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the average medical scribe salary, factors affecting pay, and what you can expect to earn.
1. What is a Medical Scribe and how does it Work?
To start, let’s take a look at the role of a medical scribe. The primary responsibility of a medical scribe is to document everything that happens during a patient’s encounter with the physician. This includes symptoms, medical history, any medications, treatments, and recommendations prescribed by the doctor for the patient. By capturing all of this information, the physician can focus on the patient more efficiently. They don’t have to worry about taking down notes and can instead concentrate on the patient during the appointment. Medical scribes also enter information into electronic health records (EHRs) and communicate with other team members involved in the patient’s care.
2. What is the Average Medical Scribe Salary?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2020, the median annual wage for medical records and health information technicians (which includes medical scribes) was $44,090. The starting salaries for medical scribes ranged from $10 to $20 per hour, although this amount varies depending on different factors.
3. Factors Affecting Medical Scribe Salaries
Several elements contribute to the different salaries that medical scribes receive. Some factors that influence their compensation include:
– Location: wages can differ from state to state and from one city to another. An urban region or place with a high cost of living could pay more.
– Type of facility: a private clinic may pay differently from an academic medical center or hospital.
– Experience: a medical scribe with several years of experience may earn more than a novice who is just starting.
– Certification: medical transcription certification can also influence the scribe’s salary.
4. Additional Benefits of Being a Medical Scribe
A high medical scribe salary is attractive, but there are other advantages of this career path that you don’t want to overlook. These benefits include:
– Exposure to Medical Terminologies and Procedures: Medical scribes have the advantage of working closely with physicians and other healthcare practitioners, enabling them to understand medical terminologies and procedures better. It’s an excellent opportunity for those who want to become physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
– Opportunities for Career Growth: Being a medical scribe is an excellent starting point for those who want to pursue a career in healthcare. It enables you to gain experience and exposure to various specialties such as cardiology, dermatology, orthopedics, and many more.
– Flexible Work Schedule: Most medical scribe positions come with flexible working hours, which means that you can work around other commitments, such as school, family, or other responsibilities.
Medical scribes are an essential part of the healthcare team, and their value to the industry is expected to continue to increase in the next decade. This role requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but the benefits that come with it are rewarding. The average salary, while not as high as other healthcare professionals like physicians or nurses, is still competitive and can serve as a stable source of income for those entering the industry. With medical scribe salaries expected to increase as the demand for this profession continues to grow, it is an excellent time to consider pursuing this career path.