Medical scribes are essential members of the healthcare team, responsible for documenting patient encounters in real-time while physicians focus on patient care. Whether you're an employer creating a job posting or a candidate evaluating scribe positions, understanding the complete job description is crucial.
This guide provides comprehensive information about medical scribe duties, qualifications, skills, and includes ready-to-use job description templates for different healthcare settings. See also our guides on AI ambient scribes and comparing AI vs human scribe costs.
In This Guide
Medical Scribe Role Overview
A medical scribe is a trained professional who specializes in documenting patient encounters in the electronic health record (EHR) system. Working alongside physicians, scribes capture clinical information in real-time, allowing providers to focus on direct patient care rather than computer documentation. This helps address physician burnout from documentation burden.
Position Summary
Job Title: Medical Scribe / Clinical Scribe / ED Scribe
Department: Clinical Operations / Medical Staff
Reports To: Scribe Supervisor / Practice Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
Schedule: Full-time / Part-time / PRN
Work Setting: Outpatient Clinic / Hospital / ED
Pay Range: $14-28/hour
Experience: Entry-level to Experienced
150K+
Medical scribes in US
20%
Job growth projected
$18
Median hourly wage
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
Medical scribe duties focus on clinical documentation and supporting efficient patient flow. Here are the core responsibilities:
Documentation Responsibilities
- • Document patient encounters in the EHR in real-time as directed by the physician
- • Record chief complaint, history of present illness (HPI), and review of systems (ROS)
- • Document physical examination findings dictated by the provider
- • Enter medical decision making (MDM) and assessment/plan
- • Update patient medical history, medications, allergies, and problem lists
- • Document procedures, including consent and complications
- • Prepare discharge instructions and after-visit summaries
Order & Result Management
- • Enter laboratory, imaging, and medication orders as directed by the physician
- • Track and follow up on pending test results
- • Alert physician to critical values and abnormal results
- • Document result acknowledgment and follow-up actions
- • Coordinate with nursing staff regarding order status
Administrative Support
- • Prepare patient charts prior to scheduled appointments
- • Review prior visit notes and relevant medical history
- • Ensure chart completeness before physician sign-off
- • Assist with referral documentation and letter preparation
- • Support quality measures documentation (HEDIS, MIPS, meaningful use)
Communication & Coordination
- • Document telephone encounters and patient communications
- • Record consultant recommendations and care coordination notes
- • Support transitions of care documentation
- • Assist with prior authorization documentation
Out of Scope Activities
Medical scribes do NOT perform the following:
- • Direct patient care or clinical tasks
- • Independent medical decision-making
- • Medication administration or procedures
- • Patient education or medical advice
- • Signing or authenticating medical records
Qualifications & Requirements
Required Qualifications
- • High school diploma or GED
- • Medical terminology knowledge
- • Typing speed of 50+ WPM
- • Basic computer proficiency
- • Ability to pass background check
- • Ability to pass drug screening
- • HIPAA training completion
- • Must be 18 years or older
Preferred Qualifications
- • Some college coursework in health sciences
- • Pre-med, nursing, or PA track student
- • Prior healthcare experience
- • Medical scribe certification (CMSP)
- • EHR experience (Epic, Cerner, etc.)
- • Typing speed of 70+ WPM
- • Anatomy & physiology coursework
- • Bilingual (Spanish preferred)
Education Requirements
| Level | Education | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | High School Diploma/GED | Required for all positions |
| Preferred | Some College | Health science courses preferred |
| Ideal | Bachelor's (in progress) | Pre-med/Pre-PA students favored |
| Certification | CMSP (optional) | Certified Medical Scribe Professional |
Physical Requirements
- • Ability to stand or sit for extended periods (8-12 hour shifts)
- • Manual dexterity for typing and computer use
- • Visual acuity for reading medical records and computer screens
- • Hearing ability for patient encounter documentation
- • Ability to move between exam rooms and work stations
- • May be exposed to infectious diseases; PPE usage as required
Required Skills & Competencies
Technical Skills
- Typing: 60+ WPM with high accuracy
- EHR Proficiency: Epic, Cerner, MEDITECH, or similar
- Medical Terminology: Comprehensive knowledge
- Anatomy/Physiology: Basic to intermediate understanding
- Microsoft Office: Word, Excel basics
- Documentation: SOAP note format, HPI elements
Soft Skills
- Attention to Detail: Accuracy in documentation
- Active Listening: Capturing physician dictation
- Multitasking: Managing multiple patients
- Time Management: Meeting documentation deadlines
- Professionalism: Patient and provider interactions
- Adaptability: Handling varying patient volumes
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
95%+
Documentation accuracy
<24hr
Chart completion time
98%+
Attendance rate
4.5+
Physician satisfaction
Sample Job Description Template
Use this template as a starting point for your medical scribe job posting. Customize based on your specific practice setting and requirements.
Medical Scribe - [Specialty/Department]
About Us
[Insert practice/hospital description. Include mission, specialties, patient population, and culture.]
Position Summary
We are seeking a detail-oriented Medical Scribe to join our [specialty] team. The Medical Scribe will work directly with our physicians to document patient encounters in real-time, allowing providers to focus on delivering exceptional patient care.
Essential Duties
- Document patient encounters in the electronic health record
- Record history, physical examination, and medical decision making
- Enter orders and track results as directed by physician
- Prepare charts for upcoming appointments
- Ensure documentation accuracy and completeness
- Maintain strict patient confidentiality (HIPAA)
Requirements
- High school diploma required; college coursework preferred
- Medical terminology knowledge
- Typing speed 60+ WPM
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Ability to work [days/evenings/weekends as needed]
- Must pass background check and drug screening
Preferred Qualifications
- Pre-med, nursing, or PA track students encouraged to apply
- Previous scribe or healthcare experience
- CMSP certification
- [Epic/Cerner] EHR experience
What We Offer
- Competitive hourly pay: $[XX]-$[XX]/hour
- Comprehensive training program
- Flexible scheduling for students
- Clinical experience for healthcare career advancement
- [Benefits if applicable: health insurance, PTO, etc.]
Schedule
[Full-time/Part-time], [X] hours per week. Shifts available: [list shifts]. Weekend/holiday coverage may be required.
To Apply: Submit resume and cover letter to [email/portal]. Include your typing speed and availability in your application.
Job Description by Setting
Scribe duties vary by healthcare setting. Here are the key differences:
Emergency Department Scribe
High-volume, fast-paced environment with diverse patient presentations.
- • Document 15-40 patients per shift
- • Manage multiple patients at various stages
- • Trauma and resuscitation documentation
- • 8-12 hour shifts including nights/weekends
- • Higher pay: $17-28/hour
Outpatient Clinic Scribe
Scheduled appointments with consistent patient flow.
- • Document 15-25 patients per day
- • Predictable scheduling
- • Chronic disease management focus
- • Standard business hours typically
- • Pay range: $14-22/hour
Specialty Scribe
In-depth knowledge of specific medical specialty required.
- • Cardiology, orthopedics, dermatology, etc.
- • Specialty-specific terminology and procedures
- • May include procedure documentation
- • Often higher complexity encounters
- • Pay range: $16-25/hour
Virtual/Remote Scribe
Document encounters via audio/video feed from remote location.
- • Work from home capability
- • Requires reliable internet and quiet workspace
- • May support multiple providers
- • More flexible scheduling
- • Pay range: $14-20/hour
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a medical scribe do on a daily basis?
A medical scribe documents patient encounters in real-time alongside physicians. Daily duties include: recording chief complaints and history of present illness, documenting physical examinations, entering physician orders, tracking lab and imaging results, updating medication lists, preparing charts for upcoming appointments, and ensuring documentation is complete before physician sign-off.
What skills are required to be a medical scribe?
Key skills include: fast and accurate typing (60+ WPM), medical terminology knowledge, strong attention to detail, ability to multitask in fast-paced environments, excellent listening skills, EHR proficiency, professional communication, and the ability to work well under pressure. Anatomy and physiology knowledge is also valuable.
What are the minimum qualifications for a medical scribe?
Minimum qualifications typically include: high school diploma or GED, some college coursework (preferred), familiarity with medical terminology, typing speed of 50-60+ WPM, and ability to pass a background check and drug screening. Many employers prefer candidates pursuing healthcare careers such as pre-med students.
Is medical scribe a good job for pre-med students?
Yes, medical scribing is considered one of the best jobs for pre-med students. Benefits include extensive clinical exposure, medical terminology mastery, understanding of healthcare workflows, strong physician relationships for recommendation letters, and competitive hours for medical school applications. Many medical schools value scribe experience.
How much do medical scribes make?
Medical scribe salaries range from $13-28/hour depending on location, experience, and specialty. Entry-level scribes typically earn $14-18/hour, experienced scribes $18-24/hour, and lead/chief scribes $22-28/hour. Annual salaries range from $28,000-58,000. Emergency department and specialty scribes often earn premium pay.
What is the difference between a medical scribe and medical assistant?
Medical scribes focus solely on documentation - they do not perform clinical tasks. Medical assistants perform clinical duties (vitals, injections, EKGs) and administrative tasks but typically do not document encounters. Scribes work in the exam room with physicians; MAs work throughout the clinic. Scribe positions require less formal training than MA certification.
Related Resources
Reduce Documentation Burden with AI
PatientNotes AI can augment your scribe program or provide documentation support where scribes aren't available. Generate notes automatically from patient encounters.