Veterinary: Medical Scribe

Program Description

Veterinary doctor examining a dog with a scribe at her computer.

Offered by Washington State University, this program trains individuals in veterinary medical documentation, preparing students to work alongside veterinarians, recording patient histories, exam results, treatments, and procedures in real-time. The course combines online coursework with hands-on practice for real-world experience.

Key Topics Covered:

  • Veterinary terminology
  • Animal anatomy, physiology, and common veterinary conditions
  • Diagnostics, and treatment procedures.
  • Medical record protocols, and electronic medical record (EMR) management
  • Electronic Health Records (EHR) and compliance standards
  • Scribing techniques for real-time veterinary exams
  • Client communication and confidentiality
  • Pharmacology and prescription documentation
  • Hands-on training and case study analysis

Who this program could be a good fit for:

  • Students interested in veterinary medicine.
  • Animal care professionals looking to enhance their skills.
  • Individuals seeking a career in veterinary healthcare.
  • Future animal science students who want to get a head start on medical terminology and anatomy courses.

Completion & Certification:

  • Graduates earn a Junior Veterinary Scribe Completion Certificate.
  • This certification improves workflow and patient care in veterinary clinics, hospitals, and specialty practices.
  • Helps students entering post-secondary animal science programs by providing a strong foundation in medical terminology and anatomy.

Summer 2025 Program Details

  • Application deadline: May 18 is the priority deadline. Applications received after the deadline may be considered if there is space.
  • Program dates: June 25 - July 17 (no class on July 3, 4 or 11). Program times are between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Meeting location: Hunt Middle School
  • Notify selected applicants: early June
  • Approximate hours to complete: 100 (dependent on background knowledge of medical terminology and animal anatomy/physiology)
  • Certifications: Junior Verterinary Scribe Certificate of Completion by Washington State University
  • Credits toward graduation: 0.5 elective credits
  • Total spots available: 15
  • For additional information, please contact Jeff Klancke: jklanck@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Apply now

  • May 18 is the priority deadline. Applications received after the deadline may be considered if there is space.
  • TPS students must be logged into their TPS account to apply
  • Applications take 15-20 minutes to complete
  • Students will be asked to provide contact information for themselves and a parent/guardian
  • Read the program description, requirements and dates prior to applying.

TPS Student Application  Non-TPS Student Application

Vet/Medical Scribe Careers by the Numbers 

Average salary in Washington State (as of Feb. 2025): $20.79 per hour source. (Please note, salary information is for a medical scribe, as a veterinary scribe is not individually listed)

Required Education: Proficient typing skills, knowledge of medical terminology, and/or course work/certifications

Job Outlook: There are a variety of support roles in veterinary medicine, including scribe, assistant and receptionist. Overall, for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers, job growth is estimated to be 19% from 2023 to 2033 source.

Current Job Postings: On indeed, ScribeAmerica