Medical Transcription Jobs Your medical transcription training will prepare you to enter the workforce in as little as six months. Medical transcriptionists listen to dictated recordings made by physicians and other health care professionals and transcribe them into medical reports, correspondence and other materials. Because medical documents become part of patients' permanent health records, a trained transcriptionist's ability to understand and correctly transcribe patient assessments and treatment records reduces the chance of patients receiving ineffective or even harmful treatments. It is a career in high demand that offers work-from-home or self-employment opportunities for skilled workers who have completed their medical transcription training...and it pays well too. Compare Top Health Care Careers
Go to Medical Transcription Training Schools Medical Transcription Duties Medical transcriptionists typically produce the following types of documents: - Discharge summaries
- Health histories
- Physical examination reports
- Operative reports
- Consultation reports
- Diagnostic imaging studies
- Progress notes
- Referral letters and other correspondence
 Generally, transcriptionists listen to recordings on a headset and key the text into a computer or word processor. While most transcribe from digital or analog recordings, the Internet is growing more popular as a mode for transmitting dictation, because it enables quick turnaround. Speech recognition software is further speeding up the process by automatically translating recordings into text. When using this technology, transcriptionists listen to dictation while reading a software-created draft and edit the text on screen. Although their transcribed documents are reviewed and corrected by the physicians or other health care professionals who dictated them, an experienced medical transcriptionist will create accurate drafts because they understand medical terminology and abbreviations, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology and treatment assessments, and if they have questions, they'll consult their medical reference materials. They must make reports conform to style requirements for medical records and comply with legal and ethical requirements governing patient confidentiality. Medical transcriptionists working in physicians' offices may have additional duties such as receiving patients, scheduling appointments, answering phones and handling mail. Medical Transcription Workplaces About four in 10 medical transcriptionists work for hospitals, and another three in 10 work in physicians' offices. Others work for business-support services, laboratories, outpatient care centers, and in offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists. Most enjoy comfortable, quiet surroundings that are usually far removed from the examining rooms and hospital floors where health care is provided. Most full-time transcriptionists work a 40-hour week. Some medical transcriptionists telecommute from home-based offices as employees or subcontractors or as self-employed, independent contractors. Self-employed medical transcriptionists are more likely to work irregular hours, including part time, evenings, weekends or on call. A detail-oriented personality is a needed to succeed in this job. Work in this occupation can present hazards from extended sitting and repetitive-motion injuries, and the constant pressure to be accurate and productive can be challenging. Medical Transcription Training and Education Employers prefer to hire transcriptionists who have completed one to two years of postsecondary medical transcription training offered by many vocational schools, community colleges and distance-learning programs. Course work includes anatomy, medical terminology, legal issues, computer skills, and English grammar and punctuation. Many programs include on-the-job experience. Prospective transcriptionists familiar with medical terminology from previous experience as a nurse or medical secretary may become proficient through refresher courses. Medical Transcription Licensing and Certification The American Association for Medical Transcription awards the voluntary Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) designation to those who pass a certification examination. Because the medical field is constantly evolving, medical transcriptionists are encouraged to update their skills regularly. Every three years, CMTs must earn continuing education credits to be recertified. Related Articles: |
Medical Transcription Salary According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual earnings of medical transcriptionists were $32,060 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $25,310 and $35,490, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $41,920. Salary.com lists the 2009 U.S. average as $36,596 with the highest 25 percent earning more than $40,558. Some transcriptionists are paid based on the number of hours they work or on the number of lines they transcribe. Others receive a base pay per hour, with incentives for extra production. Job opportunities are good. Employment of medical transcriptionists is projected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2016. High demand will be sustained by increasing needs for electronic documentation. Off-shoring transcription services and advancements in speech recognition technology are not expected to significantly affect job opportunities. Top 12 Health Care Careers Compare the top 12 health care careers side by side. |
