A medical scribe is a physician collaborator who fulfills the primary clerical and non-medical functions of the busy physician or practitioner. The primary function of a medical scribe professional is the creation and maintenance of the patient’s medical record, which is created under the supervision of the attending physician. The scribe will document the patient’s story, the physician’s interaction with the patient, the procedures performed, the results of laboratory studies, and other pertinent information. Additional functions of a scribe may include ordering laboratory/radiology studies, assisting with the patient’s disposition, documenting consultations, and notifying the physician when important studies are completed.

The advantage of having medical office training helps when you’re expected to assist providers with administrative tasks such as handling phone calls, retrieving lab results, and other duties as needed to improve efficiency and productivity. You’ll likely also become an asset to your medical office team with your broad knowledge base and ability to assist in many departments.