Clinical Jobs: Medical Scribe, Pharmacy Technician, CNA, and

EMT

November 18, 20155 points (Academic/Workshop)

Medical Scribe

Medical Scribe What is a medical scribe? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yCOWuZe7_o

The doctor’s personal assistant who helps to ensure that the doctor is working as efficiently as possible.

Perform the duties that would ordinarily slow the doctor down and prevent him/her from seeing more patients.

Essentially the doctor’s shadow, ready to assist him/her with anything they need.

Part of the healthcare team.Required Training

Classroom and clinical preparationProficiency in typing testsProficiency in medical terminology and the parts of an EMR required

for billing

Medical Scribe - Responsibilities

Completing the electronic medical record (EMR)History of Present Illness (HPI)Review of Systems (ROS)Physical Exam Findings (PE)all other billing points necessary - reassessment, consultation, disposition, etc.

Informing the physician when new patients and pertinent lab and radiology results arriveInteracting with the other members of the medical team to guarantee efficient patient careMaintaining professional relationships and confidentiality Long-term commitment (not seasonal)Shift possibilities: early morning to overnight

Medical Scribe - BenefitsBuild personal relationships with the physicians

mentorship letters of recommendationlearn about their life and the pros/cons of physician-hoodfinancial side of medicine

Build personal relationships with other pre-health studentsFirst-hand exposure to medicine and being part of the healthcare

teamAbility to learn how to handle stressful situationsFamiliarization in EMR, medical terminology, and HIPAADevelopment of skills necessary to work as a teamGreat experiences to discuss in professional school interviewsDevelopment of computer skills.

Medical Scribe - Opportunities

Work in an emergency room or outpatient clinic setting.Current Opportunities During Undergrad:

ProScribe - WACO @ Providence Hospital and surrounding clinicsContact Brittnye Screws (Project Leader) at brittnyes@proscribemd.com

Scribe-ology - WACO @ Hillcrest Hospital Contact Rahul_Dadwani@baylor.edu

For Gap Years:ScribeAmerica (Austin, El Paso, Galveston, DFW, Houston,

Midland, Lubbock, San Antonio, Texarkana) PhysAssist (Austin, College Station, DFW, Houston,

San Antonio)Elite Medical Scribes (Fort Worth and Baytown)Scribe Connect (Dallas)

Pharmacy Technician

What is a Pharmacy Technician?Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of pharmacists and compound of mix medications and call physicians for prescription refill authorization

List of common duties:Take the information needed to fill a prescription from customers or health

professionalsMeasure amounts of medication for prescriptionsPackage and label prescriptionsOrganize inventory and alert pharmacists to any shortages of medications or

suppliesAccept payment for prescriptions and process insurance claimsEnter customer or patient information, including any prescriptions taken, into

a computer systemAnswer phone calls from customersArrange for customers to speak with pharmacists if customers have

questions about medications or health matters

RequirementsTraining:Many technicians learn through on-the-job trainingSome attend programs offered through vocational schools or community collegesPrograms cover a variety of subjects, such as arithmetic used in pharmacies, recordkeeping, ways of dispensing medications, and pharmacy law and ethics. Technicians also learn the names, uses, and doses of medications. Most programs also include clinical experience opportunities, in which students gain hands-on experience in a pharmacy.

Customer-service skills. Pharmacy technicians spend much of their time interacting with customers.Detail oriented. Serious health problems can result from mistakes in filling prescriptions. Although the pharmacist is responsible for ensuring the safety of all medications dispensed, pharmacy technicians should be detail oriented so that complications are avoided.Math skills. Pharmacy technicians need to have an understanding of the math concepts used in pharmacies when counting pills and compounding medications.Organizational skills. Working as a pharmacy technician involves balancing a variety of responsibilities. Pharmacy technicians need good organizational skills to complete the work delegated by pharmacists while at the same time providing service to customers or patients.

Job Benefits● The median annual wage for pharmacy

technicians was $29,320 in May 2012● Exposure helping people and providing a

need ● Experience of working in coordination with

people● Way to become familiarized with drugs- both

names and pharmacology

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

What is a CNA?A CNA or certified nurses assistant is someone “who cares for physically or mentally ill, injured, disabled, or infirm individuals in hospitals, nursing care facilities, and mental health settings.” -[BLS.gov]

CNAs are…the eyes and ears of the healthcare team- CNA’s work closer with the patient than any other provider

the defenders of the patient by monitoring and asking questions such as:

● Is my patient safe?● Am I protecting their privacy?● Am I doing everything possible to protect their dignity?● How can I encourage my patient to be independent as

possible?● Does my patient want to talk?

RequirementsNeed to:

● Own a high school diploma or GED (for hospitals and long-term care facilities)

● Be emotionally and physically stable● Complete a training program● Pass a State-Certified Test● Pass a background test and drug

screen

Training Program:● Minimum federal requirement for nursing homes is 75

hours● Some employers will have own standards● Training programs are offered through high schools, trade

schools, technical schools, community colleges, and hospitals

● Training includes theoretical and hands-on practice● Training topics include procedures, body mechanics,

physiology, nutrition, infection control, communication and resident rights.

● Must renew license every year! Training varies between 12 and 14 hours by state

● Many CNA course that teach a vast range of skills that can be utilized in hospital settings. Ex. phlebotomy

Job Benefits● Median Annual Wage- $24,010 ● Salary varies by :

1. Type of facility (In general, hospitals pay more than nursing home or in-home care)

2. Experience3. State you live in4. Required duties (more technical and

precise = higher wages due to the need for more training and more responsibility ex. some CNA are certified in phlebotomy)

● Exposure to the human side of medicine- affirmation of why you want to go into medicine

● Experience being part of a healthcare team● Insight on the inner workings of healthcare● Ability to better coordinate teams when leading as a doctor● Ability to earn humility through “scut” work

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

What is an EMT?

• A Provider who responds to emergency situations where the patient may be sick or injured

Certification

Traditionally need 175 - 200 hours of trainingCourses usually range from 7 - 16 weeksAge:

State certification variesMust be 18 years old to get Nationally Certified

For TexasPass both State and National Certification exams

PreceptingSome programs require a certain amount of hands on

training

Continual Education CreditsMust obtain 24 hours of credit every 3 years

Skills Acquired & ResponsibilitiesHow to treat:

Allergic reactions with EpipensChest pains with NitroglycerinShortness of breath with oxygenAsthma with inhalersDiabetic Emergencies with glucoseCertain indications for Activated

Charcoal for poisoningsVarious traumasCPR

Responsible for:● Determining and providing all Basic Life

Support treatment to patients● Assisting the Paramedic with Advanced

Life Support● Advocating for your patient● Ensuring the successful transfer of care

to the hospital or alternative provider

Where can I sign up for a course?

Local Fire/Ambulance stationsMost times, if you join a station, they will pay for you to get trained!

County districts Emergency DepartmentCommunity Colleges and some 4 - year colleges

Jobs911 Responder (Paid)

May be limited until 21 years of age

Traditionally shifts are 12 hours or 8 hours long

911 Responder (Volunteer)

Good alternative to being paid

Build great experience working as a team

Find mentors

Non - Emergency Transport

Make sure patient's condition is sustained while transporting home or other hospital

Salary

Hourly: $10-16

Yearly: $34,000

Medical Scribe – Rachael_Helpenstell@baylor.edu

CNA/Pharmacy Technician – Chase_Gottlich@baylor.edu

EMT – Michael_Alonso@baylor.edu