Program Overview
The efficiency of a medical office and the quality of medical care provided depend in large part upon the staff members who supplement and support the role of the physician. As a medical office staff member, you must have strong communication skills, organizational ability, computer knowledge, and excellent human relations skills.
As a medical scribe, or paraprofessional, you will specialize in charting physician-patient encounters in real time, such as during medical examinations. You will also be responsible for generating referral letters for physicians, managing and sorting medical documents within the EHR system, and assisting with e-prescribing.
Earning Potential
Interested in a career as a medical office professional? Learn more about our region’s employment outlook and career opportunities you can pursue in this field of study.
Transcribe medical reports recorded by physicians and other healthcare practitioners using various electronic devices covering office visits, emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging studies, operations, chart reviews and final summaries. Transcribe dictated reports and translate abbreviations into a fully understandable form. Edit reports as necessary and return them in either printed or electronic forms for review and signature, or correction.
median annual salary
annual job openings
are currently employed within the State of Michigan Prosperity Regions 5 and 6.
This number is expected to over the next four years.
of current workers will reach retirement age within the next ten years.
Visit Career Coach for more details.
Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic or laboratory procedures. Duties may also include scheduling appointments and billing patients, as well as compiling and recording medical charts, reports and correspondence.
median annual salary
annual job openings
are currently employed within the State of Michigan Prosperity Regions 5 and 6.
This number is expected to over the next four years.
of current workers will reach retirement age within the next ten years.
Visit Career Coach for more details.
Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood and administering medications as directed by a physician.
median annual salary
annual job openings
are currently employed within the State of Michigan Prosperity Regions 5 and 6.
This number is expected to over the next four years.
of current workers will reach retirement age within the next ten years.
Visit Career Coach for more details.
About Delta's Program
As a medical scribe, your primary duties are to follow a physician through the work day and chart patient encounters in real-time using an electronic medical record (EMR) and existing templates. You will also generate referral letters for physicians, manage and sort medical documents within the EMR system, and assist with e-prescribing.
Medical scribes can be thought of as data care managers, enabling physicians, medical assistants, and nurses to focus on patient in-take and care during clinical hours. By handling data management tasks for physicians in real-time, as a medical scribe, you will free the physician to increase patient contact time, give more thought to complex cases, better manage patient flow through the department, and increase productivity.
Why you should choose Delta
Life is busy. But that shouldn't get in the way of your education. Delta offers classes at night, on weekends and online to make taking classes and getting that degree easier. Plus, Delta has three centers so you can take classes even closer to home.
You can get hands-on experience in your field while you're working toward that degree. I know. It's awesome! Plus, you'll even get paid. That's co-op! Check it out.
The specially-designed courses emphasize creative and critical thinking, providing a unique learning experience. You have more exploration of the subject area with increased faculty and student interaction. Make the most of your Delta experience. Join Honors!
Facts & Figures
The American College of Medical Scribe Specialists estimates 20,000 scribes were employed by the end of 2014, and it expects this number to grow to 100,000 scribes by 2020. (Becker's Hospital Review)
As of April 2015, at least 22 companies supplied scribes across 44 states, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. The largest company is ScribeAmerica, with more than 5,000 scribes in more than 570 healthcare facilities across 44 states. (Becker's Hospital Review)
Related Programs
Delta College offers over 140 degree, certificate and training options. Continue exploring and advancing your education with these related programs:
- Medical Administrative Assistant - Associate
- Health Insurance Coding and Claims Specialist - Certificate