Medical Transcription Jobs

Medical transcription is relatively a new field, but it is a good career option for those who have good listening and writing skills and who have a strong grasp of medical terminology. Medical terminology includes terminology used in pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, diagnostic procedures, etc. Medical transcription can be done from home or from a doctor's office. The number of medical transcription jobs is expected to rise in the near future. If you are interested in medical transcription career, then take a look at the medical transciptionist job description.

Medical Transcriptionist Job Description

Medical transcription jobs do not require any formal degrees. Candidates who have undergone one or two years training in medical transcription are usually preferred by the employees. So after getting your high school diploma or degree, it is necessary to undergo a special training program offered by a well-known institute, if you want to become a medical transcriptionist. You can become familiar with the medical terminologies, legal issues regarding medical documentation, grammar and punctuation, etc. during the training program. If you have a passion for medical science, then only you should choose medical transcription as your career.

You need to have good listening, writing and typing skills along with good knowledge of certain computer software. Medical transcriptionist training also involves 'on the job' training provided by the employees. Those working in this field are required to appear for the re-certification exam once in every 3 years. But flexibility of space and time is the greatest attraction for these jobs. Medical transcription jobs from home can be a good career option for women who need to look after their kids.

The responsibilities of a medical transcriptionist involve:

• With the help of a headset, listening to recorded audio files made by physicians and health care professionals
• Feed the data to the computer
• Converting the audible information into required type of correct electronic format through word processing program, for example, discharge documents, physical examination reports, reports of diagnostic imaging studies, medical history reports, reports of operations, autopsy reports, consultation reports, letters of communication, progress reports, other administrative materials, etc.
• Editing the text for grammar and errors
• Returning the files to the physician or health care professionals

The physician or health care professional finally checks the document, suggests corrections if required and after receiving the corrected document, signs it. The document is then regarded as a part of patient's medical history and is hence preserved forever.

Medical transcription outsourcing is very common these days. The medical transcriptionist need to be conversant with the medical terminology as he/she has to translate jargons and abbreviations to the conventional form. The job involves continuous learning. Written research materials are also used for references. Updated knowledge about the medical laws is also essential for preparing medical reports. The person needs to be thoroughly aware of the confidentiality requirements. S/he has to be highly accurate, highly organized and at the same time highly productive. Some people find this job stressful even though they enjoy comfortable and quiet working environment. Completing the given job on time with accuracy and details is very important as a minor error can prove to be problematic for the patient as well as the physician.

Statistics show that in 2009, medical transciptionists earned about $15-20 per hour. Since number of ill people is increasing day by day, number of medical transcription jobs is also increasing every year. Latest computer technology helps store the data which is helpful for insurance companies as well. Medical transcriptionists have to work 40 hours a week. Those who are really interested in being self employed and those who are confident about their listening skills and accuracy in using medical terminology for preparing reports as per requirement can enjoy working as a medical transcriptionist.