Great Opportunity - Medical Scribe EPPA Employee Review

flexible scheduling, nice work environment,

have to work overnights and remote shifts

Training: Very organized and transparent. From the get-go, EPPA gives you a deck of about 200 medical terminology flashcards to study weeks before orientation which gives you time to familiarize yourself and soften the learning curve. The training program is about 8 days during which meaningful time is dedicated to learning the ins and outs of the job and homework assignments surrounding the types of things you’ll see in the ER and how to write HPIs are reviewed. Your education surrounding how to write HPIs not only entails learning the medical terminology deck but also the language of healthcare. They give out the usual training surrounding HIPPA as well as healthcare, fraud, waste, and management, mandated reporting etc. Although site placement for me took a while to get into, the flashcards and the learning materials given keep you busy. Although pay is pretty low ($15.50) they do pay you upfront for any required training which is nice. Performance reviews and policies: EPPA is very transparent with the performance review timeline and crystal clear performance expectations. They also give you a whole scribe manual on your I-9 day detailing what your role is in the whole scheme of the healthcare team and the legal implications of your role as well (the chart you assist in making is technically a legal document making accurate documentation of the utmost importance). Management checks in with you to see how you’re doing and to offer additional help and support if necessary. Schedule: I worked for EPPA only part-time, picking up shifts when I wanted, so for me I wouldn’t say my schedule was too demanding. The schedule is rotating (some days you’ll work mornings, other days afternoons, and nights, and if you’re not in school you’re supposed to work two overnight shifts a month). You are working in the ER so this is expected. My shifts varied in length from 5-8 hours long. EPPA is pretty well known and has lots of locations so they’ll be placing you in a hospital or clinic near where you live. No need to travel hours to get to work. They are also very transparent in how scheduling works and are very insistent on getting your availability so they can make sure they know when to best schedule you. Make sure you read over those documents and communicate with your head scribe, and your peers to see if they’re willing to swap shifts with you. Culture: The providers prioritize quality over quantity. If you feel swamped with your notes let them know and they will give you time to catch up. They would rather have five really good notes than 20 mediocre or unfinished ones. They also emphasize that you are helping them out by lightening their documentation load. They are so kind and willing to teach you anything you want to know. EPPA offers LOC, additional education regarding your job, and interview practice for PA and medical school. Rumor has it that Dr. Bryant has gotten more people into medical school than anyone in the state. I found a lot of very supportive and like-minded peers, some of whom were working full time with the program while also volunteering, and in school.

One thing worth mentioning is that management doesn’t consistently address targeting, which can be a common feature amongst scribe programs due to a lack of certification and union protection. The hierarchical nature of healthcare contributes to this dynamic too. The culture and hours you can expect to work may also depend on the hospital or clinic you’re placed in, so keep that in mind too. Pay is low.