This position serves as a representative of the physician. The position is responsible for documenting the physician-dictated patient history, physical examination, family, social, and past medical history. Documentation will also include procedures, lab result, dictated radiographic impressions made by the supervising physician and any other information pertaining to the patient’s encounter. Medical Scribes must be discreet and professional in performance of their duties as to not distract any medical personnel from patient care. Self-motivation and muti-tasking is especially important when working as a Medical Scribe. Must have good judgement, organizational skills, initiative, attention to detail, be adaptable and versatile. Must be able to withstand the physical demands of the position which include but are not limited to standing for long periods of time, long periods of computer screen time and carrying a laptop or pushing a workstation on wheels.
The essential functions of a scribe are:
a) A scribe will accompany the physician upon patient interview and examination.
b) A scribe will accurately and thoroughly document the physician dictated patient history, including history of present illness, review of systems, past medical and surgical history, family and social histories, medications and allergies. Scribes document physical examination findings and procedures as performed by the physician.
c) A scribe will document the results of laboratory and radiographic studies as dictated by the physician.
d) A scribe will document the correct time of patient care related activities, including physician to physician communication, family communication, and reexamination of a patient.
e) A scribe will not sign patient encounters. When the physician concludes the patient’s encounter, the physician will review all documentation completed by the scribe. The physician will then make, if necessary, any amendments and sign the chart. Ultimately, the physician is responsible for documentation of the patient’s encounter.
f) The scribe and physician will make “chart rounds” to review patient status, delays, and any other care related issues.
g) All patient care orders must be communicated by the physician and not scribe.
h) A scribe will not participate in any patient care and should refer all requests related to patient care to the assigned physician or nursing staff. This may include: transporting specimens, answering phones, assisting patients, and calling physicians.