What Does a Medical Screener Do?

Medical screeners are responsible for reviewing medical records and other information to determine if an individual is eligible for certain types of insurance coverage. They may also be tasked with determining whether or not a patient meets the requirements for receiving disability benefits, Social Security payments, etc.

Medical screeners must have strong interpersonal skills in order to effectively communicate with patients and their doctors. It’s important that they can read between the lines when it comes to medical jargon so that they can accurately interpret test results and other findings from physicians.

Medical Screener Job Duties

A medical screener typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Explaining the study’s procedures and answering questions to ensure that potential participants understand the study requirements
• Explaining the study’s purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, compensation, and follow up care to potential participants before they agree to participate in the study
• Performing physical exams on participants to determine their health status prior to participating in studies involving new medications or procedures
• Arranging for participants to receive follow up care after a study is complete
• Following up with participants after a study to monitor their health status and ensure that they are properly cared for
• Creating and maintaining detailed records of all study participants including their names, addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and other identifying information
• Explaining study procedures to participants and answering questions about the study process
• Collecting and analyzing test results from participants to determine if they have any physical impairments that could interfere with their participation in the study
• Recruiting potential study participants by contacting them directly or through mass media such as television or radio advertisements

Medical Screener Salary & Outlook

Medical screeners are typically paid hourly wages, and their salaries can vary depending on a number of factors.

• Median Annual Salary: $41,500 ($19.95/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $76,500 ($36.78/hour)

The employment of medical screeners is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

Demand for healthcare services will increase as the large baby-boom population ages and people continue to live longer. As a result, more medical tests will be needed to diagnose and treat various conditions. In addition, technological advances will allow medical screeners to do their jobs more quickly and efficiently.

Related: Medical Screener Interview Questions and Answers

Medical Screener Job Requirements

A medical screener typically needs to have the following qualifications:

Education: Most employers require medical screeners to have at least a high school diploma or GED. Some employers prefer candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in health care, human services or another related field. Some of the coursework that these degrees include is anatomy, physiology, ethics, psychology, social work and research methods.

Training & Experience: Medical screeners typically receive on-the-job training from their new employer. This training may include shadowing another medical screener or a medical assistant to learn the specific processes and procedures of the facility. Training may also include learning how to use the computer system and software the facility uses.

Certifications & Licenses: While certifications are not always required for a medical screener role, they can be beneficial for candidates competing for jobs.

Medical Screener Skills

Medical screener need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication skills: Medical screeners must be able to communicate effectively with patients, other medical staff and patients’ families. They must be able to explain the screening process and answer any questions patients may have. Medical screeners should also be able to communicate with other medical staff to ensure the screening process runs smoothly.

Attention to detail: Medical screeners must be able to notice small details when performing their duties. This can include checking patient information, reviewing medical records and scanning for any irregularities in a patient’s health. Attention to detail can help ensure that patients receive the care they need and that the hospital is aware of any potential health risks.

Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Medical screener’s use empathy to help patients feel comfortable and safe during the screening process. For example, if a patient is nervous about the screening process, a screener can use empathy to help the patient feel more comfortable.

Time management: Medical screeners need to be able to manage their time effectively. They may have a set schedule of when they need to perform screenings and check in patients. They may also need to manage the time they spend on each patient to ensure they are able to complete all of their duties.

Organizational skills: Medical screeners need to be able to organize their work space and paperwork. This includes keeping track of patient information, ensuring that all paperwork is filed correctly and keeping the work area clean. Medical screeners also need to be able to organize their time effectively so they can complete all of their duties in a timely manner.

Medical Screener Work Environment

Medical screeners work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician offices, and other health care facilities. They typically work full time, and some may work evenings or weekends. Many medical screeners are certified by a professional organization, such as the American Medical Technologists. Some states have certification requirements for medical screeners. Medical screeners typically need at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, such as an associate’s degree in medical laboratory technology.

Medical Screener Trends

Here are three trends influencing how medical screeners work. Medical screeners will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for Better Communication Between Providers and Patients

The medical screening industry is growing rapidly as more and more providers are realizing the importance of early detection. This means that medical screeners will need to be able to communicate effectively with patients in order to ensure that they are getting the care they need.

Medical screeners can utilize this trend by developing strong communication skills and learning how to work with a variety of different personalities. They can also focus on developing relationships with patients so that they feel comfortable sharing information about their health.

Patient Engagement Becomes More Important

As patient engagement becomes more important, medical screeners will need to develop new skills and strategies to help them connect with patients.

This trend is being driven by the increasing demand for patient-centered care, which emphasizes the importance of communication between patients and healthcare professionals. As medical screeners become more involved in patient care, they will need to learn how to create a positive relationship with patients and understand their needs.

More Use of Technology in Healthcare

The use of technology in healthcare is becoming increasingly common, as hospitals and other healthcare facilities look for ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

As medical screener professionals, you can capitalize on this trend by becoming familiar with the latest technologies and how they can be used to improve the quality of care. In addition, you should also be prepared to provide training to other employees who may not be as familiar with these technologies.

How to Become a Medical Screener

A career as a medical screener can be both rewarding and challenging. It’s important to consider the many factors that will influence your success in this field, including your personality type, education level, and experience.

If you have a caring nature and are interested in helping people, then a career as a medical screener may be perfect for you. You should also be prepared to work long hours on rotating shifts, so make sure that you’re able to handle this type of schedule.

Advancement Prospects

Medical screeners can advance their careers by becoming certified medical assistants. With this certification, they will be able to perform more duties, such as taking patient medical histories and measuring vital signs. They may also be able to advance to positions such as medical office manager or medical billing and coding specialist.

Medical Screener Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we are looking for a medical screener to join our team. The medical screener will be responsible for conducting health screenings for employees, visitors, and contractors. This will include taking temperatures, asking health screening questions, and providing guidance on health and safety protocols. The medical screener will also be responsible for maintaining confidentiality of all medical information. The ideal candidate will have experience in the medical field and be able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform medical screenings on potential donors to ensure they are eligible and fit to donate
• Review donor history and update records as needed
• Educate donors on the donation process, what to expect, and answer any questions they may have
• Collect vitals such as blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature
• Perform phlebotomy or apheresis procedures according to standard operating procedures
• Label and process samples according to protocol
• Maintain a clean and organized work area
• Adhere to all safety policies and procedures
• Keep up to date on current SOPs and donor eligibility requirements
• Participate in continuing education opportunities as available
• Assist with other duties as needed
• Provide excellent customer service and maintain a positive attitude

Required Skills and Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Completion of a medical screener program
• 1+ year of experience as a medical screener
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication, customer service, and time-management skills
• Strong dedication to accuracy and efficiency

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• 2+ years of experience as a medical screener
• Skills with upselling or product recommendations are a bonus
• Knowledge of word processing software