How to Get Started in Medical Transcription as a Transcriptionist

How to Get Started in Medical Transcription
Part 1

What is Medical Transcription?

Medical Transcription is the keyboarding (into a typewriter or computer) of reports from dictation recorded by a doctor or health professional pertaining to medical information. History and physicals, admission notes, office visit notes, operations, hospital discharge reports and consultations are just a few of the (work) types of reports that are created by the medical transcriptionist. Dictation is performed in a number of ways, including audiocassette, phone-in recording to an analog system, or recording into a digital system that enables one to send a sound file just as one would send any other type of computer file.

Medical Transcriptionists work in hospitals, doctors offices and other medical facilities, and many work from home. They are hired by the physician or a transcription company, but many who work from home do so as independent contractors, setting their own rates of pay, hours and operating procedures, and hiring on additional help as their work load expands.

Is Medical Transcription for Me?

Maybe, maybe not. Medical transcription is not easy. It takes time to become a medical transcriptionist, but it also takes dedication to excellence and a thirst to learn new medical terminology as it emerges. As with any job, you are not finished until you are finished, and for those who work at home this can create conflicts with others who think you are staying home "for them". Did you pay attention in high school English? If your grammar skills aren't up to par you'd better sharpen them, because no doctor likes a report that states "His' illness effected there business"... a poorly written report reflects poorly on the physician who signs it, and the transcriptionist who typed it will not be employed for long.

--- more at MedicalTranscription.com.