NOTE: This information is based on the EMT+Scribe Panel Hosted by M.O.S.S. on 3/8/2017. Please use this information to get an idea of EMT/Scribe training and the nature of each respective job, not as an absolute resource.
Helpful Links
EMT:
- http://www.cce.csus.edu/emergency-medical-technician-courses
- http://www.crcems.us/
- http://www.crcems.us/program-info/other-programs/
- https://www.scribeamerica.com/
- http://www.iamscribe.com/
Emergency medical technician (EMT)
What is an EMT?
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and ambulance technician are terms used in some countries to denote a health care provider of emergency medical services. EMTs are clinicians, trained to respond quickly to emergency situations regarding medical issues, traumatic injuries and accident scenes.
Education
- EMT programs are found at community colleges (i.e. CRC,ARC, Sierra College, etc.), state colleges (i.e. Sacramento State) and even in private programs. These usually last 1 semester.
- EMT programs are divided into lecture and lab.
- Some EMT programs are very strict in terms of grades (ex. One program described required students to maintain a B average the entire course of the program.)
- There are short and long programs. Short programs usually require more of your focus and time. Long programs can give you more balance if your life is more busy; allows for more study time.
Prior to working
Be aware that there are fees and training prior to becoming an EMT. Certification and national registration costs ~$200. Required training (i.e. update on a patient lifting technique) may or may not be provided by your employer.
Looking for JObs
- There are many job opportunities throughout the Sacramento region for EMTs.
- Weigh the benefits of different potential employers. Consider whether they are unionized, how they set work hours, etc.
Experience in the Field
- First responders can be given 24 hour or 48 hour shifts. Usually these experiences have a lot of down time during the day and opportunities to respond to a call are usually given to the day shift. Work for first responders is primarily done at night.
- EMT credentials need to be updated every 2 years. Training credits can count towards your license renewal. Again, these may or may not be provided by your employer.
- There are opportunities for growth as an EMT. This can come with doing well at your job or with additional trainings (ex. ACLS - advanced cardiovascular life support). With experience, you can become an EMT trainer for new employees. Or individuals can go a different direction; instead of continuing in the field, you can become a dispatcher.
Medical Scribe
What is a medical scribe?
A Medical Scribe is essentially a personal assistant to the physician; performing documentation in the electronic health record (EHR), gathering information for the patient's visit, and partnering with the physician to deliver the pinnacle of efficient patient care.
Training/Education
- Scribes are usually trained by their employer. This training usually consists of learning medical terminology, abbreviations and timed practice putting together charts. This can either be done via in-person classes or an online course.
- Following the preliminary training, an in-hospital residency is done where future scribes practice charting in live doctor-patient situations and are shadowed by their more experienced peers. This is done for a set period of time, and then they are able to work on their own if they are competent enough to chart well on their own.
Benefits of being a scribe
- There are a lot of interactions with doctors and opportunities to get recommendations.
- You get to shadow doctors in action while getting paid.
- Though EMTs have the opportunity to provide some patient care, in comparison to being an EMT, there are less opportunities to shadow doctors.
- As a scribe, you are able to familiarize yourself with how the hospital works.