If you’ve ever wanted to gain first-hand healthcare experience, and the opportunity to work alongside licensed physicians, training to become a medical scribe could be the best decision you ever make.  The job is especially suited to pre-med students as it provides them with real-life experience that gives them an edge over other applicants later in their careers.  Need more convincing?  Below are five great reasons to become a medical scribe.

1. Learn Whether the Healthcare Industry is the Right Choice for You

Medical school is expensive, and as with many jobs, most students don’t find out what it’s really like to work in the industry until after they graduate.  Working as a medical scribe will give you the insight you need to determine whether the healthcare industry is right for you, saving you both time and money if it isn’t.  EPPA scribes work one-on-one with providers and are highly valued thanks to the experience they bring.

2. Gain Valuable Experience

Real world experience is a definite plus, not only when it comes to applying for a job after graduation, but when applying for medical school as well.  Working as a medical scribe will enable you to receive thousands of hours of experience in a clinical setting, and prove to your university that you are dedicated and built to succeed.

3. Network and Be Mentored

Working closely with providers gives you an exclusive opportunity to be mentored by those already in the field.  You won’t just be working alongside a primary care physician, you’ll be interacting with a whole team.  This can prove extremely valuable after graduation.  Your colleagues will also be able to provide you with references which can be used both for medical school and any positions you apply to upon graduation.

4. Hands-On Learning

Observing a medical provider in the facility where they work can be a huge learning experience.  You will learn how to work with an electronic records system, how to handle a patient’s family, which symptoms require which tests, and how to triage, all before entering medical school.  One of the biggest challenges that medical students face is learning all of the different medical terms.  They need to be memorized and understood before you can enter the field.  By working in a medical practice, you will hear these terms day-in, day-out, and understand how they apply in the real world.  Many students find this beneficial.

5. You’ll Earn a Wage

Working as a medical scribe can be compared to a paid internship.  You’ll earn money while learning a lot of valuable information.  You can work either part-time or full-time depending on your other responsibilities, and many positions offer flexible hours for students.  In addition, many scribes decide to remain in the role and take training to advance as opposed to entering medical school.  There’s no reason why you can’t take your initial experience and turn it into a full-time career.

There you have it; five great reasons to become a medical scribe!