Medical Transcription Job Description

The Medical Transcription Job Description requires that you be able to listen and type what you hear into a medical report or doctors note. The physician creates a verbal report which is called dictation.  The medical transcriptionist creates written documents from that verbal record.  The reports created are medical histories, operative reports, discharge summaries, autopsy reports, and letters.  These documents are returned to the physician for review and signature.  They usually become part of the patients record. 

A working knowledge of medical terminology, abbreviations, anatomy & physiology and even pharmacology will be part of the medical transcription job description.   Being able to work with word processing software and computers is essential.  Speech recognition software is starting to be used to create drafts with the medical transcriptionist then formatting and checking for grammar, spelling and punctuation. 

Having good hearing and listening skills are essential to this career.

With the ability to receive the work via internet and send the completed product back by email the potential for telecommuting is high for this occupation. 

In smaller offices the medical transcription duties may be included with the other medical secretary and appointment scheduler duties.

Working Conditions

Working conditions are usually indoors in a comfortable setting.  Prolonged sitting and repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel are workplace hazards.  Pressures to produce documents rapidly and with a high degree of accuracy may cause stress for these workers.

Training and Qualifications - what you have to do to be a Medical Transcriptionist

Most employers prefer some type of formal training for transcription jobs.  This training is usually in the form of a 2 year degree from a community college. Distance learning and vocational programs are also available. Programs that include coursework in anatomy, medical terminology, legal issues relating to health care documentation, and English grammar and punctuation—are highly recommended, but not always required.

Formal accreditation for the programs is voluntary. Graduation from an accredited program in medical transcription may be required for medical transcriptionists seeking to be certified medical transcriptionists.

Licensing and Credentialing

There are no formal licensing requirements.  Medical transcriptionists may become certified or registered medical transcriptionists by meeting the experience criteria and passing a national exam for certification.  To remain certified the transcriptionist must take continuing education courses and renew the certification every 2-3 years. 

Significant Points

Job prospects are good

Over 40% of all job openings are in hospitals

This job has a high potential for telecommuting and working from home

This job is frequently outsourced  

Advancement - chances for promotion

The potential in larger departments to advance to supervisory roles is good.  Self employment or small business opportunity exists.  Cross over to other job professions such as medical coding and medical records is a good potential.

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