April Newsletter 2013
The PhysAssist Times April 1, 2013
First Remote Scribe U Held in Florida
Milwaukee Chief Scribe Wins First “Connect the Docs” Scholarship The first remote I AM SCRIBE University was held in Pembroke Pines, Florida on February 28. It was the first of four total remote I AM SCRIBE University trainings. The Florida trainings graduated a combined total of 60 new scribes.
The first graduating class from I AM SCRIBE U in Florida.
The first winner of the “Connect the Docs” $2500 scholarship is Therese Bowes, Chief Scribe for the Milwaukee team. Bowes has been scribing with PhysAssist since 2011 and plans on attending PA school.
Nine PhysAssist Hospitals Named Top Performers on Key Quality Measures for Care and Safety
Next “Connect the Docs” Scholarship to be Awarded in May
Nine PhysAssist Scribes hospitals have been named by The Joint Commission as 2011 Top Performers on Key Quality Measures. Top Performers are recognized for achieving excellence in performance on The Joint Commission’s accountability measures, placing these nine hospitals in the top 18 percent of hospitals in the United States for care and safety.
Want to be the next winner of a $2500 scholarship? Refer a friend to scribe with us! To qualify, referred candidates must be hired and successfully reach PS1 status (300 shift hours). Entrants who refer part-time candidates are entered once, and those who refer mid or full-time candidates will be entered twice. The next drawing will be held in May.
The PhysAssist Scribes hospitals included in The Joint Commission’s “Improving America’s Hospitals” 2012 annual report are Baptist Memorial, Beaumont Hospital, Good Samaritans Hospital Medical Center, Maryvale Hospital, Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio, Memorial Hospital Miramar and Texas Health Hospitals in Allen, Azle and Bedford.
New Facilites in Alabama and Wyoming mean growing need for CTS candidates PhysAssist is excited to announce their expansion to two new states, Alabama and Wyoming. We’re looking for quality candidates to become Certified Trainer Scribes. These CTSs help train new scribes at I AM SCRIBE University and new facilities. If interested, contact Sara Shannon at sara@iamscribe.com.
Interesting, funny, and just plain weird medical facts you probably didn’t know. Takotsubo Cardiomyopath y is acute weakenin g of myocardium due to excessive emotio nal stress, aka, dyin g of a ‘broken heart.’
Excessive licorice ingestion can cause hypertension and metabolic alkalosis.
Halitophobia is the fear of having bad breath (even if you don’t).
The anticoagulant in the saliva of vampire bats is aptly named ‘Draculin.’
Othello Syndrome is a condition where the sufferer is plagued by morbid delusions of their partner’s infidelity.
In 1929, Werner Forssmann performed the first cardiac catheteriazation. On himself.
Clinical Lycanthropy is the rare delusion that one is transformed into an animal. Its name comes from the term for turning into a werewolf.
A right-sided stroke can cause symptoms of obsessivecompulsive disorder.
Warfarin is the most commonly used oral anticoagulant. It was initially introduced in 1948 as a pesticide for mice and rats.
John F. Kennedy’s healthy bronze glow was actually the result of Addison’s Disease (adrenal failure).
Eating star fruit can t put a dialysis patien into a coma. There is at a toxic compound th normal kidneys can excrete.
Spotlight On.. Jessica Austin, Scribe U Coordinator Jessica Austin has been an I AM SCRIBE UNIVERSITY coordinator since 2012. Below, she shares some of her favorite moments at SCRIBE U, and a few tips for those just getting started in their medical careers.
How did you get started with PhysAssist? I heard about scribing through my college advisor at Texas Christian University. She explained to me that scribing would be a great opportunity for me to gain experience in the medical field. After doing some research, PhysAssist’s name continued to come up as the best Scribe company in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. How long have you been a Scribe U Coordinator? I became a Scribe U Coordinator in May 2012 after graduating from Texas Christian University. Prior to becoming a coordinator, I was a trainer at almost every Scribe U. It’s been amazing to watch Scribe U grow into what is has become today. Now I am a training manager within the training department. As a manager, I observe the progress of scribes throughout the training process. I continue to work closely with Scribe U, and look forward to see the advancements to come in the future! What advice would you give premed students attending Scribe U? When I became a scribe, I was a sophomore in college taking Organic Chemistry. For any premed student, the course load is difficult enough on its own and it can be intimidating for anyone trying to work and go to school at the same time. I always tell those going through Scribe U that I understand there’s a lot of information to take in and it can be overwhelming. At the same token, it is possible to work and go to school. If anything, being a scribe is the best possible preparation for life in medical school. In medical school, you’re expected to go to class and keep up with rounds. Hours are not always going to be great and it
can be tough to juggle school and work. This job definitely tests if a person is capable of working in the medical field. If the ultimate goal is a health care profession, this job will help better prepare them for what’s to come. Make the most of the opportunity by treating each shift as a learning opportunity. The medical community is a lot smaller than people think. Being a scribe will give a person the opportunity to establish connections and build relationships with the physicians they see and work with every day. The physicians write letters of recommendation and give excellent advice on the paths to take. The benefits that an individual can gain by going through Scribe U and becoming a scribe definitely make the struggles worth it. What did you gain out of going through the program? When I was trained to be a scribe I was not given the opportunity to go through Scribe U. My training consisted of 10 training shifts on the emergency room floor with three classroom days spread throughout my training. With the addition of Scribe U, the classroom days that I felt would have been beneficial to me prior to training are now integrated into the first day at Scribe U. In addition, Scribe U gives the trainees the opportunity to learn the basics of charting and exposes them to the environments they will be charting in when they work on the floor. Not only is Scribe U more efficient when it comes to training, but I feel the trainees walk out with more confidence in their abilities as a scribe. They feel more prepared and have a better understanding of what is expected of them. When I look back on my training, I wish I had gone through Scribe U.
What’s been your favorite moment at Scribe U? My favorite moment at Scribe U was when we made the transition to the corporate office. A mock ED was created that could literally double as a real emergency department. Instead of actors, we have televisions that play 24 different scenarios that range from adult to pediatric. This allows the trainees to have a better idea of what working in the ED is really like. The way the videos are set up challenge the trainees in speed and navigation. There is just enough stress established in the mock ED that makes learning optimal. In addition, the move to the corporate office allowed the trainees to meet all the employees who work hard each day to improve the company. I think it’s inspiring to hear stories from the employees who went from being scribes to accomplished leaders in the company. It’s also great when the trainees can put a name to a face that helped them get started within the company. I do not know of any other scribe company that takes the time to get to know every employee who comes through the doors for training.
“...being a scribe is the best possible preparation for life in medical school.” Overall, the program has taught me how to be a better leader and teacher. The best way to learn is by teaching others. I am lucky I’m able to work for a company that always supports new ideas and the personal goals of its employees. Scribe U is just the starting point for a trainee’s adventure at PhysAssist and in their careers. Working as a scribe has been extremely beneficial for me. I have learned so much about the medical field and gained a ton of confidence. For anyone applying to medical school, nursing school, or PA school, the knowledge and experience gained by scribing in unlike any other medical experience out there. Being a PhysAssist Scribe is by far the best opportunity offered to anyone pursuing a career in medicine.
Industry News Urgent Care Physicians on the Rise What it Means for Scribes They days of private practices may soon be over. More and more physicians are switching from private practice to urgent care facilities, and that means an increase in the need for medical scribes. Today’s private practice physicians are burdened with much more than just practicing medicine. As small business owners, they are forced into roles they may not be prepared for. From handling their own malpractice insurance, their patients’ insurance providers, IT, finance and HR, it’s enough to make any physician consider another path. Not to mention urgent care facilities can generally offer greater and more stable pay. An article on Ragan cited a few of the most commonly heard sentiments: • “I was always on call; work followed me wherever I went.” • “You get punished for taking time off; the work doesn’t go away, it just piles up.” • “My time was spent fighting insurance companies and doing paperwork instead of caring for patients.” • “In urgent care, I get paid more and work less.” Large facilities place a big emphasis on seeing as many patients as possible. Some even provide monetary incentives to physicians who see the most patients. However, while they must be fast, they must also be accurate and efficient. With the nationwide switch to EMR’s, that’s a lot to ask of a busy doctor. That’s where scribes come in. Good scribes who can provide thorough and accurate patient records are valuable resources to physicians, especially those adjusting to the fast-paced environment of an urgent-care facility. In an article for Ragan, Marc Icasiano writes, “I found that the doctors working for our urgent care client were genuinely happy. With standardized facilities and processes, and a strong support staff, they rediscovered why they chose to practice medicine in the first place.” Scribes can be key assets to a physician’s support staff, making their job easier and more enjoyable. With more and more physicians making the switch to large facilities and emergency departments, the need for quality medical scribes will continue to grow. With their support, physicians can become more efficient, thorough, and rediscover why they began practicing medicine in the first place.
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