MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST

Using a transcribing machine with headset and foot pedal, medical transcriptionists listen to recordings by physicians and other healthcare professionals dictating a variety of medical reports such as emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging studies, operations, chart reviews and final summaries. To understand and accurately transcribe dictated reports into a format that is clear and comprehensible for the reader, the medical transcriptionist must understand the language of medicine, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures and treatment, and must be able to translate medical jargon and abbreviations into their expanded forms. Editing as necessary for grammar and clarity, the medical transcriptionist transcribes the dictated reports and returns them in either printed or electronic form to the dictator for review and signature, or correction. These reports eventually become a part of the patient's permanent file. Medical secretaries may also transcribe as part of their jobs (see also Office Technology).

Transcriptionists work in hospitals, doctors' offices or medical transcription services. An increasing number of medical transcriptionists work from home-based offices as subcontractors for hospitals and transcription services. Transcriptionists usually work in clean, well-lighted offices. Sitting in the same position for long periods can be tiring, and workers can suffer wrist, back, neck, or eye problems due to strain, and risk repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. The pressure to be accurate and fast can also be stressful.

Many medical transcriptionists work a standard 40-hour week, although about 1 in 4 works part time. A substantial number of medical transcriptionists are self-employed, which may result in irregular working hours.

For medical transcriptionist jobs, understanding medical terminology is essential. Good English grammar and punctuation skills are required, as well as familiarity with personal computers and word processing software. Good listening skills are also necessary, because some doctors and health care professionals speak English as a second language.

Employers prefer to hire transcriptionists who have completed postsecondary training in medical transcription, offered by many vocational schools and community colleges. Completion of a 2-year associate's degree program—including coursework in anatomy, medical terminology, medico-legal issues, and English grammar and punctuation—is highly recommended. Many of these programs include supervised on-the-job experience. The American Association for Medical Transcription awards the voluntary designation, Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT), to those who earn passing scores on written and practical examinations. As in many other fields, certification is recognized as a sign of competence in medical transcription. To retain this credential, CMT's must obtain at least 30 continuing education credits every 3 years.

Medical transcriptionists usually advance with additional experience and education. Those with good interpersonal and management skills may advance to supervisory positions. Others may obtain addditional education and become medical information technicians or health information administrators. Health information administrators have a bachelor's degree in health information administration.

Medical transcriptionists had median earnings of about $410 a week in 1996. The middle 50 percent earned between $340 and $550; the lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $280; and the highest paid 10 percent earned over $840 a week.

According to a 1996 survey by the American Association for Medical Transcription, over 4 out of 10 members earned less than $25,000 a year, more than 3 out of 10 earned between $25,000 and $35,000, and over 2 out of 10 earned over $35,000. Regardless of specialty, earnings depend on education, experience and geographic location.

More than 1 in 4 medical transcriptionists were self-employed in 1996. Of those who worked for a wage or salary, about one-fourth worked for hospitals and physicians' offices.

Employment of medical transcriptionists is expected to grow faster than the national average through 2006. Demand for medical transcriptionists is expected to increase with growth in the need for health care and the industries that provide it. Growing numbers of medical transcriptionists will be needed to amend patients' records, edit for grammar, and discover discrepancies in medical records. Those who earn an associate's degree or American Association for Medical Transcription certification should have favorable job prospects.