Become A Medical Transcriptionist

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Working As A Medical Transcriptionist

Interacting With Computers
Documenting/Recording Information
Getting Information
Processing Information
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Mostly Sitting
Repetitive
Stressful
$34,890
Average Salary

What Does A Medical Transcriptionist Do

Medical transcriptionists, sometimes referred to as healthcare documentation specialists, listen to voice recordings that physicians and other healthcare workers make and convert them into written reports. They also may review and edit medical documents created using speech recognition technology. Transcriptionists interpret medical terminology and abbreviations in preparing patients’ medical histories, discharge summaries, and other documents.

Duties

Medical transcriptionists typically do the following:

Listen to the recorded dictation of a doctor or other healthcare worker
Transcribe and interpret the dictation into diagnostic test results, operative reports, referral letters, and other documents
Review and edit drafts prepared by speech recognition software, making sure that the transcription is correct, complete, and consistent in style
Translate medical abbreviations and jargon into the appropriate long form
Identify inconsistencies, errors, and missing information within a report that could compromise patient care
Follow up with the healthcare provider to ensure the accuracy of the reports
Submit health records for physicians to approve
Follow patient confidentiality guidelines and legal documentation requirements
Enter medical reports into electronic health records (EHR) systems
Perform quality improvement audits

Traditionally, medical transcriptionists used audio playback equipment or software that is connected to their computer. However, technological advances have changed the way medical transcription is done. In the past, medical transcriptionists would listen to an entire dictation to produce a transcribed report. While many transcriptionists still perform these traditional transcription services, others are taking on additional roles. Today, many medical documents are prepared with the use of speech recognition technology, in which specialized software automatically prepares an initial draft of a report. The transcriptionist then reviews the draft for accuracy, identifying any errors and editing the report, when necessary. They use word-processing and other specialized software, as well as medical reference materials, as needed.

To do their work, medical transcriptionists must become familiar with medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology, and treatment assessments. Their ability to understand what the healthcare worker has recorded, correctly transcribe that information, and identify any inaccuracies in the transcript is critical to reducing the chance that patients will get ineffective or even harmful treatments.

Transcriptionists may need to be familiar with EHR systems. They may create templates, help develop documentation policies, and train physicians on how to use EHR systems.

Medical transcriptionists who work in doctors’ offices may have other duties, such as answering phones and greeting patients.

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How To Become A Medical Transcriptionist

Medical transcriptionists typically need postsecondary education. Prospective medical transcriptionists must have an understanding of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, grammar, and word-processing software.

Education

Employers prefer to hire transcriptionists who have completed postsecondary education in medical transcription, which is offered by vocational schools, community colleges, and distance-learning programs. Medical transcription programs are typically 1-year certificate programs, although there are also associate’s degree programs.

Programs normally include coursework in anatomy, medical terminology, risk management, legal issues relating to healthcare documentation, and English grammar and punctuation. Many of these programs include supervised on-the-job experience. Some transcriptionists, especially those already familiar with medical terminology from previous experience as a nurse or medical secretary, become proficient through refresher courses and training.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Although certification is not required, some medical transcriptionists choose to become certified. The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity offers the Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) and the Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist (CHDS) certifications. Both certifications require passing an exam and periodic retesting or continuing education.

The RHDS certification, formerly known as the Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT), is for recent graduates with less than 2 years of experience and who work in a single specialty environment, such as a clinic or a doctor’s office.

The CHDS certification, formerly known as the Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT), is for transcriptionists who have at least 2 years of experience and those who handle dictation in several medical specialties.

Important Qualities

Computer skills. Medical transcriptionists must be comfortable using computers and word-processing software, because those tools are an essential part of their jobs. Transcriptionists also may need to know how to operate electronic health records (EHR) systems.

Critical-thinking skills. Transcriptionists must be able to assess medical reports and spot any inaccuracies and inconsistencies in finished drafts. They must also be able to think critically when doing research to find the information that they need and to ensure that sources are both accurate and reliable.

Listening skills. Transcriptionists must listen carefully to dictation from physicians. They must be able to hear and interpret the intended meaning of the medical report.

Time-management skills. Because dictation must be done quickly, medical transcriptionists must be comfortable working under short deadlines.

Writing skills. Medical transcriptionists need a good understanding of the English language and grammar.

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Medical Transcriptionist jobs

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Medical Transcriptionist Typical Career Paths

Average Length of Employment

Medical Transcriptionist 8.0 years
Medical Language Specialist 6.6 years
Senior Medical Transcriptionist 6.5 years
Medical Transcription Supervisor 5.6 years
Medical Transcription 5.2 years
Certified Medical Transcriptionist 4.4 years
Transcriptionist 4.2 years
Clinical Medical Transcriptionist 1.8 years

Top Careers Before Medical Transcriptionist

Top Careers After Medical Transcriptionist

Medical Transcriptionist Demographics

Gender

Female
92.9%
Male
6.0%
Unknown
1.1%

Ethnicity

White
84.4%
Hispanic or Latino
8.0%
Asian
5.8%
Unknown
1.4%
Black or African American
0.5%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
63.2%
French
9.8%
Italian
4.9%
German
3.7%
Russian
3.1%
Portuguese
2.5%
Hindi
1.8%
Carrier
1.8%
Mandarin
1.2%
Chinese
1.2%
Arabic
1.2%
Telugu
0.6%
Vietnamese
0.6%
Cherokee
0.6%
Dutch
0.6%
Somali
0.6%
Korean
0.6%
Tamil
0.6%
Braille
0.6%
Tagalog
0.6%

Medical Transcriptionist

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Medical Transcriptionist Education

Schools

University of Phoenix
19.0%
U.S. Career Institute
7.1%
Kaplan University
7.1%
Community College of Allegheny County
5.4%
Ashford University
5.2%
At-Home Professions
4.5%
Rasmussen College
4.3%
Liberty University
4.3%
Baker College
4.1%
Sinclair Community College
3.9%
Fox Valley Technical College
3.7%
Southern New Hampshire University
3.7%
Everett Community College
3.7%
Northern Virginia Community College
3.7%
Rochester Community and Technical College
3.7%
Chippewa Valley Technical College
3.5%
Central Piedmont Community College
3.5%
Trident Technical College
3.2%
Davenport University
3.2%
The Academy
3.2%

Majors

Health Care Administration 34.7%
Business 13.6%
Nursing 7.6%
Secretarial And Administrative Science 6.1%
Medical Assisting Services 5.0%
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs 3.2%
Psychology 3.1%
English 2.9%
Accounting 2.9%
Medical Technician 2.7%
General Studies 2.4%
Legal Support Services 2.4%
Computer Information Systems 2.2%
Education 2.0%
Liberal Arts 1.7%
General Education, Specific Areas 1.6%
Elementary Education 1.6%
Criminal Justice 1.5%
Biology 1.4%
Management 1.3%

Degrees

Other
36.3%
Associate
20.3%
Bachelors
18.2%
Certificate
14.4%
Masters
5.4%
Diploma
4.4%
Doctorate
0.6%
License
0.5%

Medical Transcriptionist

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Real Medical Transcriptionist Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Medical Transcriptionist	Mission Home Health Services Inc.	Los Angeles, CA	May 31, 2016	$51,334
Medical Transcriptionists	Premier Oncology Consultants	Houston, TX	Nov 13, 2009	$34,965
Medical Transcriptionist	Family Practice Medical Group of San Bernardino	San Bernardino, CA	Feb 11, 2010	$33,225
Medical Transcriptionists	Family Practice Medical Group of San Bernardino, I	San Bernardino, CA	Sep 24, 2008	$33,121
Medical Transcriptionist Supervisor	Gerald Muthu Md, LLC	Casa Grande, AZ	Jan 01, 2010	$32,000
Medical Transcriptionist	Nafey Enterprise Inc.	Houston, TX	Jun 04, 2008	$25,376

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Top Skills for A Medical Transcriptionist

Top Medical Transcriptionist Skills

Discharge Summaries
Medical Records
Radiology Reports

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Work from home transcribing Radiology reports daily and Admission History and Physical and Discharge Summaries on an as needed basis.
Produce medical reports and data retrieval services, providing data and inclusion in medical records and for transmission to physicians.
Transcribe radiology reports for physicians at Fairview Ridges Hospital every other weekend.
Transcribed office correspondence and patient histories to other referring physicians.
Job description: Responsible for transcribing medical reports, letters and patient office notes.