|
Medical transcription is a profession that offers great flexibility and is a unique employment. Skills required are typing quickness and knowledge of medical terminology.
What is medical transcription?
Medical transcription is the process of turning physician dictated notes into written transcripts.
How is transcription done?
There are some new dictation devices on the market using computer technology, but traditionally the transcriptionist is typing dictation from a microcassette tape or some device the physician has used to record their dictation. The transcriptionist uses a tape recorder with a foot pedal to be able to stop and start the tape while listening to the dictation. A set of headphones is also used in order to hear the dictation more clearly. The transcriptionist types the dictation and then forwards the work on for delivery to the physician.
How do I begin working in medical transcription?
There are two main skills required in medical transcription. The first is the ability to type with sufficient speed or be able to build up to a sufficient speed. Sixty words per minute would be the minimum speed. Faster speeds allow you to make more money in less time. The other skill needed is a knowledge of medical and pharmaceutical terms. Many community colleges teach courses in medical transcription. Once you do begin working in transcription it will be vital for you to stay abreast of new medical terms and especially new drugs that come on the market. There are several web sites that can help you with staying current on terms and products.
Where do I look for a job in medical transcription?
The first place to look is right in your neighborhood. Most transcriptionists work out of their homes. You can work for a local physician or group of physicians and transcribe the dictation and bill the doctor(s) directly. You have the benefit of being your own boss. Another option is to locate a transcription service that will assign you work. A benefit here is you can control the amount of work you receive each day. It also helps if the company deducts your taxes from your paycheck and counts you as an employee. There are, however, some companies who employee transcriptions as contract labor only. That means you have the responsibility of paying self-employment taxes, not the transcription service.
Another area to locate transcription work is right in the physician's office. Some doctors like to have their transcription done right there in the office. You would go in as an employee of the physician. Some medical clinics or hospitals employ a staff of transcriptionists to transcribe for the entire facility. There are many options available for finding the right type of employment that fits your needs.
What health risks are present with transcription?
Since the primary function is typing, the transcriptionist always needs to be aware of stress and strain on the hands, wrists, fingers and forearms. Always have a wrist support with your computer keyboard. As you start out it is a good idea to wear wrist braces if you do not have extensive typing experience. Make sure to have a comfortable chair that offers good back support. Transcriptionists are at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, eye strain and neck and back pain. With the proper precautions you can reduce the possibility of experiencing these health problems.
How is pay calculated for a transcriptionist?
A transcriptionist is in a sense a piece worker. You are paid according to how much you type. The differences come in the calculation of your work. The easiest and most common method is to count the number of characters typed and multiply that by a per character amount. Your word processor program has a character count function. So, for example, if a batch of patient dictations amounted to 100,000 characters and you were paid $0.0010 per character, you would earn $100.00.
Other methods of calculating amount of work done is by line. Even if a line does not extend the full width of the page you are paid as if it did. So, if your document had 50 lines at $.20 a line you would have earned $10.00. Some transcription services pay by the page or group of documents. However it is calculated, the transcriptionist is paid by the amount of work typed.
Medical transcription can be a very rewarding. You can choose whether to work at home or out of the home. You can be your own boss or become an employee of a transcription service. You can work during the day or during the evening. If offers a tremendous amount of flexibility and control in a unique profession.
|
