Finding a worthwhile career path can take time, research and careful reflection. If you’re considering a career as a medical transcriptionist, learning more about the role can make it easier to decide if you’re well suited to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. There are many reasons to pursue medical transcribing as a career, and reviewing some of these reasons might help you assess if it’s a good choice for your professional goals and interests. In this article, we explain what a medical transcriptionist is, list the common duties of the role and offer seven reasons why being a medical transcriptionist is a worthwhile career path.
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What is a medical transcriptionist?
A medical transcriptionist (MT) is someone who transcribes voice recordings of medical reports. They might receive audio files, lecture notes or other media types with spoken material from doctors, nurses and other health care professionals. Medical transcriptionists record patient information like medical histories, symptoms, care summaries, exam results and treatment plans. The work they do can save healthcare professionals valuable time and give them more time to focus on providing high-level patient care. It’s important for MTs to ensure the accuracy of their reports because they might affect insurance payments, patient care quality and treatment plans.
Knowledge of medical terminology can help MTs in their role and ensure their transcriptions are correct. Often, MTs follow templates depending on the type of record they’re creating. This helps them keep complete and accurate histories for providers, insurance companies and patients.
What does a medical transcriptionist do?
The duties of a medical transcriptionist can vary depending on their employer and exact job description. Here are some common medical transcriptionist duties:
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Transcribe voice recordings, spoken information and notes
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Verify the accuracy of transcriptions
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Organize voice memos and dictated notes into comprehensive records
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Use templates to create complete and accurate records
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Clarify inconsistencies in reports
7 reasons to become a medical transcriptionist
There are many reasons to consider becoming a medical transcriptionist. Here are some benefits to pursuing a career in the role:
1. You don’t need a bachelor’s degree
While some positions might prefer candidates to have a bachelor’s degree, most medical transcriptionist roles only require an associate’s degree or MT certification, and some may have no educational requirements at all. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), medical transcriptionists can make an average salary of $35,270 per year. This is higher than the average salary of $34,900 those without postsecondary degrees can expect to earn. Of course, earning potential can depend on many factors like experience, geographic location and employer.
For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the links provided.
2. You can work in health care
Health care is a growing industry, which allows professionals to thrive in an industry that provides job security. As a medical transcriptionist, you’d be helping ensure patient data is correct and complete, which can help care teams provide quality and successful care to those who need it. This helps improve patient outcomes and make a difference in the field.
3. You can set your own schedule
Another benefit to working as a medical transcriptionist is you can often set your own schedule. Many positions are flexible and you can accept work when you want it and choose when you complete your assignments. This can lead to increased productivity and more time to attend to other responsibilities you may have.
4. You can choose where you work
While some medical transcriptionist positions might require you to work on-site at a hospital, clinic or other healthcare facility, others give employees an option to work remotely. As long as you have a computer and the materials you need to complete your work, you can work from home as a medical transcriptionist. This offers even greater flexibility and can be a good career option for those who want to forego a commute to work every day.
5. You can become an expert in medical terminology
To execute the functions of their job successfully, it’s important for MTs to have a comprehensive understanding of medical terminology. This can help them transcribe notes and voice recordings successfully and accurately. As an MT, you can learn about different procedures and conditions and become an expert in healthcare-specific terminology. For those interested in medicine, learning these concepts can be fascinating and exciting.
6. You can get certified online
Not all positions require a certification, but pursuing one can increase your opportunities as a transcriptionist and help you differentiate yourself from other candidates. Some certification courses are available online, meaning you can complete your training at your own convenience. Consider reviewing job postings that interest you to learn which certifications employers you want to work for prefer. Most certificate programs cover courses in anatomy, physiology, diagnostic studies, pharmacology and clinical terminology.
New transcriptionists can take an exam after completing the course that qualifies them to become Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialists (RHDSs). After gaining work experience and pursuing continuing education opportunities, professionals can then become Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialists (CHDSs). Having these titles on your resume can increase your earning potential and qualify you for more advanced roles.
Please note that none of the companies or certifications mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.
7. You can develop useful and versatile skills
The skills that can help you as an MT can also help you if you decide to transition to a different occupation or role. Here are some valuable MT skills with many versatile applications:
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Computer skills: Transcriptionists often use specific documentation software to record their transcriptions and organize information. Gaining confidence with this software and working on a computer can be useful in many settings and for various applications.
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Writing skills: To ensure records are accurate, transcriptionists can develop their writing skills to ensure the use of proper spelling, and punctuation and to keep their writing clear. Writing skills are often extremely valuable to employers.
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Auditory processing skills: Because they work primarily from voice recordings, MTs can develop their auditory processing skills. This can help them decipher quickly spoken messages and understand accents successfully.
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