Medical Transcription - Myths and Realities: The Basics
In the medical field, there are numerous misconceptions that surround the practices of medical transcription. Some of these misconceptions include the idea that you will not be able to build your resume for future professions with a degree in medical transcription or that you cannot earn an income by going into this field.
This article is intended to educate students and professionals as well as highlight some common misunderstandings and give some insight on what this career really holds. This way everyone can have a better understanding before they make their decision on if they want to commit themselves into learning this trade.
Getting Started
Many individuals think that you need to go to school in order to become a medical transcriptionist, but this is not the case. Over 1000 schools now offer online training through companies such as MedScribe. This type of education will help you build your resume with a variety of skills that are needed in the medical field. You will also be able to work at your own pace as well as learn in a more condensed format because everything is done online.
Job Description and Salary Expectations:
The primary responsibility of a medical transcriptionist is to listen and transcribe what they hear into written reports. They are also responsible for creating medical orders while they are on the phone, transcribing over the phone or computer, proofreading and creating memos.
In order to become a medical transcriptionist, you will need to be well versed in grammar, spelling and be able to use correct punctuation. Proofreading is very important because it will prevent errors from being introduced so that you can create a quality transcription. You should also have a high attention span because you will be reading information over and over again which is what cause errors to happen.
Medical transcriptionists need to be well traveled as this allows them to receive information from different areas of the country or world which is what most employers want out of their employees.
Medical transcriptionists are generally required to work full time hours as this is what most employers are looking for. The pay for medical transcriptionists is usually very competitive and can range from $30,000-$50,000 depending on the employer.
Some companies even offer benefits such as paid vacation days, paid sick days and bonuses. Many companies will offer stock options to their employees which is a great way to diversify your investments while working at the same time.
The Job Description of a Medical Transcriptionist:
Through telephones, scopes or computers, the medical transcriptionist will listen to dictation from doctors and then transcribe their findings into written reports including legible letters, numbers and symbols. They will also be responsible for creating policy memos, examining medical test results and recording evidence, as well as gathering pertinent information.
The educational background for a medical transcriptionist is not necessary as you can learn on-the-job through different methods. Some people think it is difficult to learn to become a good medical transcriptionist as they believe that they need someone to teach them. Technicians should not be looking to get a degree just so they can become a medical transcriptionist. The biggest thing that you will want to do is find the right location where it is convenient for you and your family. You should also make sure you are able to focus on your training as well as have time management skills. There are plenty of colleges that offer medical transcription degrees that will fit into a working schedule.
There are various options for schools and programs to become prepared either online or at-home, where students can learn everything they need to know; including word processing, grammar and even medical terminology in a few different languages if they want to specialize in this area. When going through any program, be sure that you follow instructions closely so that you can pass their exams and achieve the best results. These programs will also supply you with great learning tools such as professional headsets that allow you to listen to the doctors while they give their dictation.
Once you start your career as a medical transcriptionist, you will be paid per minute of dictation that you transcribe. If a doctor calls in and gives you 5 minutes of dictation, you will collect 5 cents per minute. For example, if the doctor calls in and gives you 10 minutes of dictation, then they will charge the doctor 10 cents per minute. This will put money directly into your pocket while allowing the doctors to pay less for their services. You should also make sure that you are working with trustworthy companies such as MedScribe who offer competitive pay and great benefits for their employees.
The medical transcriptionist will transcribe the doctors notes and create a written report. This report is then turned into a format that is easier to understand for the doctor. The medical transcriptionist will also make sure that their report has proper grammar and spelling as well as ensure that it follows the proper guidelines.
Some common specializations for a medical transcriptionist include reviewing lab work, documenting clinical histories, keeping track of insurance claims, taking dictation in multiple languages, or typing out an entire family health history. This not only brings in more money for the day but also gives them a chance to specialize in different areas of the profession. Some companies also allow their employees to work from home which helps them to become more flexible with their time.
Medical transcriptionists can also become certified for using certain programs such as computerized medical records, interpreting the results and interpreting lab studies. This will allow them to get more experience that is necessary in order to be a great medical transcriptionist. This will also help doctors call in with less patients and allow them more hands on experience with each case. The medical transcriptionists should also continue to update themselves on technology so they can stay up on the changes that are going on in this industry.
Medical transcriptionists can also be in charge of creating a policy manual or some other type of report to expedite the company. This is very important as they will see what could have been done better and need to establish some policies to prevent these issues from happening again.
Example questions: "In the case you are working with, the doctor was examining a patient who was 78 years old when he got hit by a bus. The patient had 2 broken legs and his left arm. The doctor found out that the patient had high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease as well as having been in a car crash several years before. Find out the patient's name, age and sex and transcribe it exactly as the doctor just did."
The medical transcriptionist can be in charge of contacting doctors to make sure that they are giving their dictation at times that are convenient for them. They will also be responsible for scheduling appointments with the doctors so that they can give their dictation at the time. Some companies allow employees to work from home and others would rather them be able to come in rather than working from home and dealing with traffic problems. Working from home is an option, however you will have less experience for your clients as you are not dealing with a client face to face.
Conclusion:
There many different careers that someone can go into. Medical transcription is one career that is growing very quickly and the job responsibilities are the same or close to other jobs. They have a variety of different job opportunities and you can even increase your salary by showing a higher level of skills. You will also have the ability to work from home which gives you more time for yourself as well as your family. The medical transcriptionist does a great service for doctors, hospitals, other health care workers and insurance companies. They also make sure that their report has proper grammar and spelling as well as ensuring that it follows the regulations of each company they deal with on a daily basis.