1. What does a medical transcriptionist need to know to be successful?
Medical understanding is critical for the professional medical transcriptionist. The complex terms used in medicine are unlike the language of any other profession. Medical transcription requires a practical knowledge of medical language, anatomy, physiology, disease processes, pharmacology, laboratory medicine, and the internal organization of medical reports. A medical transcriptionist is truly a medical language specialist who must be aware of standards and requirements that apply to the health record, as well as the legal significance of medical transcripts.
To prepare for this profession, medical transcriptionists study Medical language, including Greek and Latin suffixes, prefixes, and roots biological science, including anatomy and physiology of all body systems and various disease processes. Good medical transcriptionist's have above-average knowledge of English punctuation and grammar,
versatility in use of transcription equipment and computers, and highly developed analytical skills, employing deductive reasoning to convert sounds into meaningful form.
2. Where are medical transcriptionists employed?
Medical transcriptionists use their talents in a variety of healthcare settings, including doctors' offices, public and private hospitals, teaching hospitals, medical transcription businesses, clinics, laboratories, radiology and pathology departments, insurance companies, medical libraries, government medical facilities, rehabilitation centers, legal offices, research centers, veterinary medical facilities, and even at home.
Qualified medical transcriptionists who wish to expand their professional responsibilities may become quality assurance specialists, supervisors, managers, department heads, or owners of medical transcription businesses. Experienced medical transcriptionists may become teachers, working in schools and colleges to educate future medical transcriptionists.
3. Is medical transcription a good home-based business?
Many Medical Transcriptionists work at home. Some venture out on their while others work for companies that provide the necessary tools and equipment. Outsourcing is a part of this profession.
4. What makes medical transcription an attractive career choice?
Medical transcription provides unlimited intellectual challenge and the opportunity to make a unique contribution to quality health care and service. Health care is a rapidly growing industry, and the demand for quality documentation is increasing. The profession provides a high level of job security, and skilled medical transcriptionists may receive a premium for their services. Because their services are in demand, transcriptionists are often able to arrange convenient and flexible work schedules. Medical transcription is a portable skill that allows for professional and geographic mobility.
Medical transcription can be a lifelong, satisfying career, providing the constant challenge of an expanding and advancing technology. The changes occurring in the healthcare industry promise to provide even more challenges to the forward-looking medical transcriptionist.
