Association launches new certification for medical scribes

The American Healthcare Documentation Professionals Group (AHDPG) is offering two new credentials for medical scribes, the association said May 2. Medical scribes can take the Medical Scribe Certification Exam (MSCE) to earn the Certified Medical Scribe Apprentice certification.

Medical scribes who pass the exam and can also document 200 hours of hands-on experience in the field can earn the Certified Medical Scribe Professional certification. The MSCE costs $165 to take, and the credentials are valid for two years.

Medical scribes, professionals who enter clinical information into EHRs for physicians, are a relatively new position in healthcare, and the field has seen rapid growth. Medical scribes may perform a number of duties in addition to entering documentation. They may respond to messages as directed by a physician, locate information for review, or research information as requested by a physician, according to AHIMA. Medical scribes cannot make independent decisions or interpret information beyond what is directed by a physician.

Recent laws may make it easier for organizations to hire medical scribes. The 21st Century Cures Act amended HITECH to allow physicians to delegate documentation requirements, as specified by CMS, to a medical scribe if the physician signs and verifies the documentation, CMS said in an FAQ. The Joint Commission does not endorse or prohibit the use medical scribes. A medical scribe must sign, date, and differentiate documentation he or she entered from that completed by a licensed physician, according to the Joint Commission’s guidelines.

The AHDPG isn’t the only association offering a credential for medical scribes. The American College of Medical Scribe Specialists (ACMSS) offers the CMS-approved Certified Medical Scribe Specialist credential.