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What does a transcriber do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

A transcriber is primarily responsible for listening to audio and video recordings to produce written versions, ensuring accuracy in every word. Most transcribers work as freelancers, while others work full-time at different industries. They use a particular software when transcribing, while others have the task of populating company databases. Aside from transcribing, they may also perform other clerical duties such as preparing documents and producing reports. Furthermore, as a transcriber, it is essential to keep an eye out for any errors or inconsistencies, performing corrective measures promptly and efficiently.

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Transcriber responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real transcriber resumes:

  • Lead staff training for proofreading and editing medical reports.
  • Transcribe and proofread internet-based electronic medical records (EMR) for acute care hospitals.
  • Transcribe medical dictation for office visits, consultations and emergency room visits.
  • Proofread transcribed documents and reports from physicians receive from online transcribing service.
  • Log time code, verite actions, and b-roll.
  • Job also entails time-stamping transcribe files and proofreading for errors.
  • Transcribe clinic notes into EMR and preoperative history and physical reports.
  • Used various recording technologies, Dictaphone, micro cassette, and digital.
  • Front office reception, scheduling, insurance verification, and HIPPA procedures.
  • Provide captions for video clips and other recordings for deaf and hard of hearing students.
  • Launch the current system used for all EMR purposes, structure templates used for evaluations.
  • Transcribe radiation oncology consults, followups, treatment summaries, procedure notes, and correspondence letters
  • Handle outside inquiries for reports, slides; transcribe and distribute autopsy and oncology reports.
  • Transcribe Spanish audio from several video clips into English; are contacted again for another job.
  • Report time code, verite activities, b-roll footage, and other relevant information from the shoot.

Transcriber skills and personality traits

We calculated that 35% of Transcribers are proficient in Transcription, WPM, and Proofreading. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Listening skills, and Time-management skills.

We break down the percentage of Transcribers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Transcription, 35%

    Transcribed therapy sessions using the cutting-edge transcription software Dragon.

  • WPM, 16%

    Developed typing skills in excess of 60 wpm.

  • Proofreading, 14%

    Job also entails time-stamping transcribed files and proofreading for errors.

  • Transcription Software, 7%

    Transcribed insurance statements and interviews for national insurance companies utilizing Express Scribe transcription software and hardware systems.

  • Transcription Services, 6%

    Provide verbatim and non-verbatim transcription services for various industries including medical, educational, and financial businesses.

  • Headphones, 5%

    Have my own USB headphones and foot pedal and am proficient in Word Perfect and MS Word.

"transcription," "wpm," and "proofreading" are among the most common skills that transcribers use at work. You can find even more transcriber responsibilities below, including:

Computer skills. One of the key soft skills for a transcriber to have is computer skills. You can see how this relates to what transcribers do because "medical transcriptionists must know how to operate electronic health records (ehr) systems and should be comfortable using software to prepare reports." Additionally, a transcriber resume shows how transcribers use computer skills: "worked with computerized transcription equipment and programs. "

Listening skills. Another essential skill to perform transcriber duties is listening skills. Transcribers responsibilities require that "medical transcriptionists must pay attention to hear and interpret the intended meaning of dictations." Transcribers also use listening skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "listen to video and/or audio, and provide a typed copy transcription of the recording. "

Time-management skills. transcribers are also known for time-management skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to transcriber responsibilities, because "medical transcriptionists must organize their schedules well because they may need to produce transcriptions under tight deadlines." A transcriber resume example shows how time-management skills is used in the workplace: "utilize transcription software to meet daily deadlines, proving organizational skills and reliability. "

See the full list of transcriber skills

The three companies that hire the most transcribers are:

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Compare different transcribers

Transcriber vs. Registered medical transcriptionist

We looked at the average transcriber salary and compared it with the wages of a registered medical transcriptionist. Generally speaking, registered medical transcriptionists are paid $31,613 higher than transcribers per year.Even though transcribers and registered medical transcriptionists are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require transcription, medical terminology, and meditech in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between transcribers and registered medical transcriptionist. For instance, transcriber responsibilities require skills such as "wpm," "proofreading," "at-home," and "transcription software." Whereas a registered medical transcriptionist is skilled in "discharge summaries," "esl," "surgical procedures," and "behavior plan." This is part of what separates the two careers.

On average, registered medical transcriptionists reach similar levels of education than transcribers. Registered medical transcriptionists are 0.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Transcriber vs. Certified medical transcriptionist

Certified medical transcriptionist positions earn higher pay than transcriber roles. They earn a $7,394 higher salary than transcribers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both transcribers and certified medical transcriptionists have skills such as "transcription," "medical terminology," and "word processing. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that transcriber responsibilities requires skills like "wpm," "proofreading," "at-home," and "transcription software." But a certified medical transcriptionist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "vital signs," "patient care," "patients," and "injections."

In general, certified medical transcriptionists achieve lower levels of education than transcribers. They're 5.5% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Transcriber vs. Radiology transcriptionist/radiology clerk

An average radiology transcriptionist/radiology clerk eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of transcribers. The difference in salaries amounts to radiology transcriptionist/radiology clerks earning a $2,836 higher average salary than transcribers.transcribers and radiology transcriptionist/radiology clerks both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "transcription," "audio recordings," and "audio transcription," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from transcriber resumes include skills like "wpm," "proofreading," "at-home," and "transcription software," whereas a radiology transcriptionist/radiology clerk is more likely to list skills in "dictation," "appointment scheduling," "surgery schedule," and "materials log. "

Radiology transcriptionist/radiology clerks typically earn higher educational levels compared to transcribers. Specifically, they're 16.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Transcriber vs. Senior medical transcriptionist

Senior medical transcriptionists typically earn higher pay than transcribers. On average, senior medical transcriptionists earn a $3,124 higher salary per year.According to resumes from transcribers and senior medical transcriptionists, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "transcription," "medical terminology," and "radiology. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "wpm," "proofreading," "at-home," and "transcription software" are skills that commonly show up on transcriber resumes. On the other hand, senior medical transcriptionists use skills like dictation, patient history, discharge summaries, and pathology reports on their resumes.In general, senior medical transcriptionists hold similar degree levels compared to transcribers. Senior medical transcriptionists are 1.4% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of transcriber

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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