6 real-life medical scribe interview questions and answers

These medical scribe interview questions are directly sourced from real hiring managers and they are ready to use.

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6 good medical scribe interview questions

1. What is your medical experience?
2. How fluent are you in medical terminology?
3. Scribing relies heavily on typing. What is your typing speed? Would you be willing to take a typing test?
4. Would you be interested in working in in-patient or out-patient?
5. If a doctor asks you to help a patient walk, what would you do?
6. Are you willing to work the overnight shift in the hospital?

Here are 6 real-life interview questions with sample answers to help you identify the best candidates for this role.

1. What is your medical experience?

This question assesses the candidate’s background and familiarity with the medical field.

Sample answer

“I have a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and have completed medical terminology courses. Additionally, I worked as a medical assistant for two years, which gave me hands-on experience in healthcare settings.”

2. How fluent are you in medical terminology?

This question evaluates the candidate’s understanding of essential medical terminology.

Sample answer

“I am highly proficient in medical terminology, having completed comprehensive coursework and used medical terminology extensively in my previous roles.”

3. Scribing relies heavily on typing. What is your typing speed? Would you be willing to take a typing test?

This question assesses the candidate’s typing skills, which are crucial for effective scribing.

Sample answer:

“My typing speed is 70 words per minute, and I am more than willing to take a typing test to demonstrate my proficiency.”

4. Would you be interested in working in in-patient or out-patient?

This question helps identify the candidate’s preference for clinical settings.

Sample answer

“I am open to both in-patient and out-patient settings, as I believe each offers unique learning experiences and opportunities to contribute effectively as a scribe.”

5. If a doctor asks you to help a patient walk, what would you do?

This question evaluates the candidate’s understanding of the scribe’s role and boundaries in patient care.

Sample answer:

“While my primary role as a scribe is to document patient encounters, I would be willing to assist with tasks that fall within my scope of practice, as long as it doesn’t compromise patient care or safety.”

6. Are you willing to work the overnight shift in the hospital?

This question assesses the candidate’s flexibility in working different shifts.

Sample answer

“I understand that working overnight shifts is sometimes necessary in healthcare, and I am willing to do so to support the team and provide the best possible care to patients.”

What does a good Medical Scribe candidate look like?

An ideal Medical Scribe candidate possesses the following qualities:

• Relevant medical experience or educational background.
• Proficiency in medical terminology.
• Strong typing skills and willingness to take a typing test.
• Flexibility to work in various clinical settings.
• Understanding of the scribe’s role and responsibilities.
• Adaptability to different shifts, including overnight.

Red flags

During the interview process, be cautious of red flags such as:

• Lack of medical knowledge or experience.
• Limited familiarity with medical terminology.
• Inadequate typing skills or reluctance to take a typing test.
• A rigid preference for a specific clinical setting.
• Misunderstanding of the scribe’s role and scope of practice.
• Unwillingness to work non-standard shifts when necessary.

By asking these questions and considering the qualities and red flags mentioned, you can better assess candidates and select the Medical Scribe who will be a valuable asset to your healthcare team.