subject: Medical Transcription Training, Earnings And Skills [print this page] The job of a medical transcriptionist is mostly clerical duties, i.e. transcribing dictated recordings into written reports and other documents. The employment in this field is growing. In 2008, the number of transcriptionists was about 105,200. And the number continues to grow. Post-secondary education is not required but employers prefer to hire those individuals with proper training.
Where can you get training?
You can undergo formal training for this profession by enrolling in a community college, vocation school or distance learning program. These programs are in the form of an associate degree. The duration is usually one year, depending on the program you choose.
What are the different courses included in the training?
- Anatomy
- Medical terminology
- English grammar and punctuation
You will also undergo on-the-job-training, which is the most important part of the program. It allows you to listen to actual live recordings and be able to apply what you have learned. In here, you will learn how to listen to easy, moderate and difficult recordings. Some doctors do not enunciate when they speak while others do speak and talk well. You will also learn how to distinguish like sounds. For instance, "below knee amputation" can sometimes be mistaken as "baloney amputation." If you are an experienced transcriptionist, you would know that baloney amputation does not exist in the medical world.
How much can you earn when you choose this career path?
You can earn as high as $32,000 a year. Your salary rate will depend on the industry you are working. You can also opt to work from your home. But it requires you to have constant flow of clients. If you attempt to work from home, make sure that you have the right experience as simple mistakes can ruin your career and the patient's life.
What are the skills required to work as a medical transcriptionist?
- Good English grammar. You need to know how to construct proper sentence structure. Since it is not verbatim, you have to correct the grammar of the doctor or the person dictating in the audio file.
- Excellent listening skills. This is important as the job requires you to listen to an audio file. If you have below average hearing acuity, then you cannot offer excellent transcription work.
- Proficient in word processing and the use of personal computers.
How to succeed if you opt to work as a self-employed individual?
There are ways to improve your transcription skills.
- Gain experience
- Attend seminars
- Find a mentor
Before you dive into a home-based business, you should first work for a medical transcription company. In this way, you will be able to experience the actual live set up. One of the best things about this job is that you can work full-time in a medical transcriptionist company in the morning while you can have another transcription job in the evening.
