A Day in the Life of an NRCME Certified Medical Examiner
If you've been thinking about becoming a certified Medical Examiner (ME) with the DOT, you may be curious about what a typical day in the life of a ME might look like. The truth is, the daily routine will vary for each medical provider, however, here's a sample of what a typical day in the life of a ME might look like:
5:59 AM - Wake up and get ready for the day! Many MEs start their day early to accommodate the schedules of Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) drivers who need Commercial Driver License (CDL) examinations before starting their workday.
7:11 AM - Arrive at the office or clinic and prepare the exam rooms for the day. This includes ensuring all necessary equipment and supplies are in place and ready to go.
8:00 AM - Start seeing patients for CDL examinations. During each exam, the ME reviews the driver's medical paperwork, performs a physical examination, and documents the results in accordance with DOT/FMCSA regulations.
11:55 PM - Take a lunch break. MEs can also use this time to catch up on administrative tasks, review exam results, and prepare for the afternoon’s upcoming appointments.
1:00 PM - Continue seeing patients for CDL exams. Depending on the number of patients scheduled, a ME can see several patients per day, with the average examination lasting around 25 minutes.
4:02 PM - Wrap up appointments for the day and begin documenting exam results. This can include entering information into electronic medical records, filling out forms and reports, and communicating with other healthcare providers as needed. Some of these tasks can be performed by an appointed Medical Examiner’s Administrative Assistant.
5:15 PM - Finish up any remaining administrative tasks and prepare for the next day's appointments. This can include restocking exam rooms, reviewing patient files, and following up with patients as needed.
Now it's time to go home!
While this schedule may seem straightforward, it's important to note that a ME can encounter unexpected situations or emergencies throughout their day too. For example, a driver can be found to have a previously undiagnosed condition that requires further evaluation and treatment. Being a ME requires attention to detail, strong communication skills, and a commitment to safety and compliance with DOT regulations.
As a ME, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of our nation's transportation system by conducting physical examinations and assessing the health of CMV drivers. You will also create a new revenue stream for your practice and expand your patient base.
If you're interested in adding CDL examinations to your practice, then you’ve come to the right place.
Enroll in the NRCME Training Institute today or purchase our $99 NRCME Exam Reference Materials. Call us at (941) 600-8411 for more program information and for any current single provider enrollment discounts.
Other blog entries of interest:
About the NRCME Exam
Testing Options: PSI or Prometric?
Free CDL Examination Marketing
Growing Your CMV Driver Examination Business