What is a Medical Transcriptionist?

A medical transcriptionist transcribes tape recordings made by physicians or other health care professionals. The transcribed tapes are used for medical reports, including patient history and physical examination reports, autopsy reports (medical examination of a body to determine cause of death), or referral letters (professional recommendation).

Medical transcriptionists usually listen to the recordings on a headset and use a foot pedal to pause the recording when needed. While listening, they type the text into a computer and edit for grammar and clarity. Once they have finished transcribing the document, they return it to the physician for review and approval. These documents then officially become part of the patient’s file.

In order to understand and accurately transcribe medical documents, the medical transcriptionist must be able to understand medical terminology (technical words), anatomy (study of the human body structure), physiology (study of living organisms and their functions), diagnostic procedures (ways to diagnose a problem), pharmacology (the science of drugs), and treatment assessments. They have to translate medical terminology into simple, understandable language. Medical transcriptionists often use medical references, such as medical textbooks or Internet resources

Due to today’s increasing Internet technology, many transcriptionists use the Internet to do their work. They receive dictation over the Internet and are able to quickly transcribe the document for client approval. Some transcriptionists also use speech recognition technology (http://www.aamt.org/scriptcontent/raprqa.cfm?
section=professional), where a computer is able to decipher text from sounds, and then continues to create a draft of the document. It is then edited for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and accuracy. Many medical transcriptionists use this machine-translated text in order to transcribe the document and make it more understandable. Of course, this technology does not replace medical transcriptionists.

The job of the transcriptionist is of the utmost importance. Any mistakes or inconsistencies in the transcription of t he medical recording could result in the patients receiving the wrong treatment, something that could prove harmful to the patient.

Working Conditions

Medical transcriptionists have a variety of employment options. Most transcriptionists work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, transcription service offices, clinics, laboratories, medical libraries, government medical facilities, or at home. Many telecommute (work from home, but communicating with client via computer) because they are self-employed or work for transcription services.

Medical transcriptionists generally work a standard 40-hour week; however, those who are self-employed may have irregular hours, working evenings, weekends or on-call hours.

Medical transcriptionists who work in physicians’ offices or clinics may perform administrative duties, such as greeting patients, scheduling appointments, answering telephones, or handling mail.

How do you become a Medical Transcriptionist?

Those who wish to become a medical transcriptionist are advised to earn a degree or certificate in medical transcription. These can be obtained through a vocational school, community college or a distance-learning program. Courses usually include anatomy, medical terminology, health care documentation law, and English grammar and punctuation. Some medical professionals who wish to become medical transcriptionists learn their skills through on-the-job training.

Medical transcriptionists may become a Certified Medical Transcriptionist through the American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT). This designation is earned through passing written and practical examinations. Due to increasing medical terminology and technology, CMTs must be recertified every three years.

It is also possible to transfer court reporting skills into medical transcription skills. Court reporters usually record things exactly the way they are said, whereas the medical transcriptionist edits for grammar and clarity. Although many of the court reporting skills are similar to those for a medical transcriptionist, a court reporter can become a medical transcriptionist by taking additional courses in anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology and transcription.

Medical Transcriptionist in Maryland:

• Hagerstown Business College; Hagerstown (301) 739-2670
• Professional Career Development Institute; Distance learning http://www.trade-schools.net/
  professional-career-development-institute
• Thomson Education Direct; Distance learning
  http://www.educationdirect-online.com

Job Growth and Salary

Experienced medical transcriptionists can make career advancements by working from home as an editor, consultant or teacher. With additional training, some become medical records and health information technicians or administrators, or medical coders.

As the population ages and increasingly needs more medical attention, the demand for medical transcriptionists is expected to grow. Also, as technology grows, there will be an increased demand for transcription services using electronic documentation.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical transcriptionists earned a median hourly wage of $13.64 in 2004. The top 10 percent of medical transcriptionists earned more than $19.11 an hour. Those employed in general medical and surgical hospitals earned $13.83.

Information from:
American Association for Medical Transcriptionists at http://www.aamt.org/ScriptContent/Index.cfm

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