Medical Scribes

High School

Almost all applicants entering this career have a minimum of a high school degree or equivalent. High School studies should include English, biology, health, and computer skills.

Postsecondary Education

A college degree is not a formal requirement to become a medical scribe. However, many medical scribes are college graduates or have completed college programs prerequisite to formal training in medically related fields. Postsecondary courses that are beneficial to obtaining a position as a medical scribe should focus on anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, computer skills and data entry, and English.

Certification

In recent years many community and public colleges have begun to develop and offer certificate programs for medical scribes. Craven Community College in New Bern, North Carolina, offers a post-diploma certificate program. Tacoma Community College in Tacoma, Washington, offers a course of study leading to a Medical Scribe Professional Certificate. Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, offers an education program that leads to a Medical Scribe Short-Term Technical Certificate. Those seeking certification programs in specific states should research their community or state college programs to determine availability.

Other Education or Training

Some companies in the United States hire, train, and place medical scribes in positions throughout the country. Most of those companies provide training prior to placing medical scribes. Such training includes classroom and on-site clinical experience as well as online courses and self-study, covering relevant subjects including anatomy, physiology, electronic medical records, medical terminology, and medical codes. Most programs provide for medical scribe candidates to shadow other scribes, or work in a clinical setting with supervision before being sent to an assignment or position.