What does a Medical Transcriptionist do?

A Medical Transcriptionist is responsible for accurately transcribing audio records from Physicians and other health workers as part of a patient's medical history or other necessary documentation. Most of the time, a Medical Transcriptionist must sign non-disclosure agreements as the majority of the information relayed are personal and confidential. Furthermore, they must be meticulous in detecting inconsistencies and errors, translating or converting the information gathered into various medical documents, performing edits and revision, and following up any missing detail.
Medical transcriptionist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real medical transcriptionist resumes:
- Manage audits using transcribe reports with preoperative and postoperative documentation within the EMR.
- Experience in radiology, cardiology, orthopedics, physical therapy, pediatrics, surgery and family practice medical terminology.
- Transcribe dictation from various specialty providers at the hospital including orthopedics, urology, podiatry, ophthalmology, and pain management.
- Transcribe radiology reports, including MRIs, CTs, nuclear medicine and vascular reports in a high-production, acute care setting.
- Maintain medical record integrity by interpreting, editing and transcribing dictation for multiple physicians and nurse practitioners.
- Prepare medical documentation from dictation - specializing in the areas of general surgery, orthopedics, plastic/oral surgery
- Work independently from home transcribing medical reports from office visits and surgical procedures including pathology and laboratory reports.
- Educate in medical terminology as demonstrated by proofreading medical documentation and transcribing within set guidelines establish by employer.
- Transcribe all dictation for inpatient acute care, cardiology consults and cardiology procedures, inpatient and outpatient surgeries and radiology.
- Develop and implement a training program and QA manual for existing staff.
- Ensure that all transcriptions are complete ranging from 100-150 per week typing 80 wpm.
- Transcribe surgery notes, MRI reviews, surgeon introductions, and follow-up visits for ambulatory surgery center.
- Recognize by supervisor for QA scores demonstrating a high level of conscientiousness and regard for patient safety.
- Transcribe legally binding medical documents from voice files working directly in the electronic medical records system (EMR).
- Have all the equipment including the ability to read MP3 recordings, rapid DSL speed, headphones, etc.
Medical transcriptionist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Medical Transcriptionists are proficient in Transcription, Dictation, and Discharge Summaries. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Listening skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Medical Transcriptionists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Transcription, 16%
Provide medical transcription services to general practice and specialized practice physicians as well as other medical professionals as a HIPAA-compliant subcontractor.
- Dictation, 10%
Transcribe Medical Dictation and letters to referring physicians for Vascular Surgeon and download daily in Electronic Medical Records database remotely from home
- Discharge Summaries, 8%
Transcribe Psychiatric Discharge Summaries, Initial psychiatric evaluations and Gastrointestinal Operative Reports and general operative reports in Health Information Management Department.
- Patient Histories, 5%
Downloaded and transcribed medical reports, patient histories and physician interviews.
- Medical Reports, 5%
Transcribe medical reports in specialties of pathology, hematology and histology including areas of general, anatomic, and clinical pathology.
- Patient Care, 3%
Ensured high-quality patient care eliminating error for ineffective or harmful treatment demonstrating ability to understand and correctly transcribe recordings.
"transcription," "dictation," and "discharge summaries" are among the most common skills that medical transcriptionists use at work. You can find even more medical transcriptionist responsibilities below, including:
Computer skills. The most essential soft skill for a medical transcriptionist to carry out their responsibilities is computer skills. This skill is important for the role because "medical transcriptionists must know how to operate electronic health records (ehr) systems and should be comfortable using software to prepare reports." Additionally, a medical transcriptionist resume shows how their duties depend on computer skills: "transcribed urology voice files over the home computer. "
Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling medical transcriptionist duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "medical transcriptionists must pay attention to hear and interpret the intended meaning of dictations." According to a medical transcriptionist resume, here's how medical transcriptionists can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "listened to and typed up dictations for family practice doctors. "
Time-management skills. medical transcriptionists are also known for time-management skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to medical transcriptionist responsibilities, because "medical transcriptionists must organize their schedules well because they may need to produce transcriptions under tight deadlines." A medical transcriptionist resume example shows how time-management skills is used in the workplace: "completed transcription services within 24-hour deadline. "
Writing skills. A big part of what medical transcriptionists do relies on "writing skills." You can see how essential it is to medical transcriptionist responsibilities because "medical transcriptionists need a good understanding of english grammar in order to ensure that transcribed reports are correct." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical medical transcriptionist tasks: "handled dictation for the underwriting manager, underwriters, marketing representative, risk control management and four to six representatives. "
The three companies that hire the most medical transcriptionists are:
- Interpath Labs8 medical transcriptionists jobs
- Quest Diagnostics6 medical transcriptionists jobs
- Northwell Health6 medical transcriptionists jobs
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Medical transcriptionist vs. Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists are workers in the medical field who specialize in drawing blood from patients. They ensure that patients are prepared by explaining the procedure to them, showing them tools they will use and where their blood will be stored, and answering any questions the patients may have. Phlebotomists then draw blood from the patient, patch up the area where the blood was drawn, and store the blood samples in properly labeled vials or blood bags. After the procedure, they send the blood samples to the laboratory for testing, transfusion, or any other use that there may be.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, medical transcriptionist responsibilities require skills like "transcription," "dictation," "discharge summaries," and "patient histories." Meanwhile a typical phlebotomist has skills in areas such as "patients," "customer service," "blood samples," and "blood specimens." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Phlebotomists really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $34,086. Comparatively, medical transcriptionists tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $40,541.The education levels that phlebotomists earn slightly differ from medical transcriptionists. In particular, phlebotomists are 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a medical transcriptionist. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Medical transcriptionist vs. Certified phlebotomist
A certified phlebotomist is a medical professional who specializes in drawing blood through venipuncture or finger and heel pricks, preparing the samples for laboratory procedures. Besides collecting blood, a phlebotomist is also responsible for gathering patient information, verifying identification, reviewing medical histories, labeling vials, and maintaining records, including diagnostic findings. They are also in charge of keeping laboratory equipment clean, discarding trash appropriately, and organizing supplies according to policies, ordering new supplies when necessary. Above all, a certified phlebotomist maintains an open and transparent communication line with nurses and physicians for an efficient workflow.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real medical transcriptionist resumes. While medical transcriptionist responsibilities can utilize skills like "transcription," "dictation," "discharge summaries," and "patient histories," certified phlebotomists use skills like "patients," "blood specimens," "phlebotomy procedures," and "specimen collection."
Certified phlebotomists earn similar levels of education than medical transcriptionists in general. They're 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Medical transcriptionist vs. Mobile phlebotomist
A mobile phlebotomist mostly travels to various places such as patients' homes and nursing facilities to draw blood samples for laboratory analysis and medical condition diagnosis. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering information to verify the patient's identification, coordinating with nurses or facility officials, labeling and organizing samples according to a set of protocols, delivering samples to designated areas, and maintaining patient records. Furthermore, as a mobile phlebotomist, it is essential to monitor the quantity and cleanliness of supply, properly discarding used items such as syringes and cotton.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a medical transcriptionist is likely to be skilled in "transcription," "dictation," "discharge summaries," and "patient histories," while a typical mobile phlebotomist is skilled in "patients," "customer service," "blood specimens," and "blood pressure."
Mobile phlebotomists earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $33,452. Medical transcriptionists earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $40,541.When it comes to education, mobile phlebotomists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to medical transcriptionists. In fact, they're 0.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Medical transcriptionist vs. Student medical assistant-externship
Student Medical Assistant Externship is a broad term for catering students for short, reliable, and practical work experience. Once you graduate, you can get a chance to meet contacts that may be useful for your career. You can have a better chance to work in a clinic, hospital, and any medical platform after going through this kind of externship.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between medical transcriptionists and student medical assistant-externships, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a medical transcriptionist might have more use for skills like "transcription," "dictation," "discharge summaries," and "patient histories." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of student medical assistant-externships require skills like "patients," "vital signs," "cpr," and "data entry. "
In general, student medical assistant-externships hold similar degree levels compared to medical transcriptionists. Student medical assistant-externships are 2.5% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of medical transcriptionist
Updated January 8, 2025