Medical transcriptionists create accurate, clear medical documentation for patient histories, exam notes, operative reports, and other purposes. They listen to recordings made by healthcare workers… and convert them into written reports… and also take documents generated by doctors using speech recognition technology, and closely edit them. Identifying errors, inconsistencies, and missing information is crucial to ensuring patient care isn’t compromised. Transcriptionists translate medical jargon and abbreviations and must understand complex medical terminology. They may enter their reports into electronic health records systems or submit them directly to physicians for approval. Those who work in doctors’ offices may answer phones and greet patients as well. Most medical transcriptionists work full time, though part-time schedules are not uncommon. They work for hospitals, doctor’s offices, and transcription service companies. Some work from home, with more flexible schedules than in typical offices. Reports must be completed accurately and under deadlines, which can make the work stressful. Most transcriptionists have completed either a one-year certificate program, or an associate’s degree in medical transcription. Coursework includes anatomy, terminology, risk management, legal issues, and English grammar. Many programs include supervised on-the-job experience.
What they do:
Transcribe medical reports recorded by physicians and other healthcare practitioners using various electronic devices, covering office visits, emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging studies, operations, chart reviews, and final summaries. Transcribe dictated reports and translate abbreviations into fully understandable form. Edit as necessary and return reports in either printed or electronic form for review and signature, or correction.
On the job, you would:
Take dictation using shorthand, a stenotype machine, or headsets and transcribing machines.
Return dictated reports in printed or electronic form for physician's review, signature, and corrections and for inclusion in patients' medical records.
Review and edit transcribed reports or dictated material for spelling, grammar, clarity, consistency, and proper medical terminology.
Business
administrative services
Arts and Humanities
English language
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
Health
medicine and dentistry
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
reading work related information
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
read and understand what is written
Visual Understanding
quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Independence
Integrity
Cooperation
Achievement/Effort
You might use software like this on the job:
Word processing software
Boston Bar Systems Corporation Sonnet
Microsoft Word
Medical software
Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
PCC EHR
Data base user interface and query software
Data entry software
Database software
certificate after high school or some college usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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