When to start looking for pre-med internships?

I am a freshman in pre-med and have been hearing a lot about internships and how important they are for getting into med school. Should I be looking for an internship now or wait a year or two?
Also, I have heard that working as a medical scribe (through Scribe America) is good way to go, but I am concerned about how much time it will require during the school year. I would appreciate anyone’s thoughts/ experience they can lend me. : )

Are you in college?

Look for all kinds of opportunities in the medical space to demonstrate your interest. One summer in college I worked for the government but got myself assigned to a free blood pressure screening program. In high school, I volunteered in a hospital and got assigned to Radiology where I put away films, and I also candystriped and brought patients for various appointments and tests throughout the hospital. I did research in a hospital pharmacy on Cancer drugs during college, and at the Career Center found out about an alumni physician who let students shadow them. None of these were “internships.” You have to look for opportunities and create some yourself.

Yes, I am just finishing my first semester in pre-med.