Medical Transcription

Medical transcription is a process whereby dictation from physicians and other healthcare providers is transcribed and formatted into a medical document. The dictation occurs after a patient has seen a physician and then he dictates the results of that visit. A medical transcriptionist (MT) listens to the dictation and transcribes into a word processor (such as WordPerfect or Word), or in some cases using a typewriter (very few, if any, still use typewriters now). Types of reports include history and physicals, consultations, clinic notes, psychiatric evaluations, discharge summaries, x-ray reports, laboratory/pathology reports, and emergency department records. This document then becomes part of a patient's medical record.

A medical transcriptionist can receive dictation several difference ways. Sometimes tapes are used (micro, mini or regular sized) and can be played back on a transcriber machine with a foot pedal (which rewinds or forwards the dictation). Some physicians use a call-in digital system to do their dictation and then a transcriptionist uses a special phone (C-phone or similar) to call in and retrieve the dictation. Another method of receiving dictation is with use of voice files using a digital recorder and then the transcriptionist receives the voice files to transcribe.

A medical transcriptionist has to have excellent medical terminology skills, computer and word processing skills, excellent listening skills, and must have a good grasp of the English language as well as excellent grammar skills. Training includes medical terminology, diseases processes, systems review, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, legal issues/confidentiality guidelines, etc.

Medical transcriptionists need a computer to transcribe, to include a word processing program (usually WordPerfect or Word, although some companies have designed their own word processing program), headphones, wav player program, transcriber or special phone for call-in dictation, and resource books including medical dictionary, drug index, lab word book and other specialty books (i.e. pathology, cardiology, medical/surgical equipment, etc.). Also with use of a word processing program, a medical spellchecker is a necessity. Some transcriptionist use short cut programs (to create abbreviations for longer words), which may include Instant Text, Speedtype, Shortcut or others.

A transcriptionist can be trained on the job but it requires a lot of training, including medical terminology, computer skills, word processing skills, etc. Most transcriptionists are trained through smaller local colleges or on-line MT courses. Learning to become a medical transcriptionist takes a lot of time and is not something that can be learned over time. In fact, it is an ongoing learning experience as new drugs are always coming out, equipment changes, etc.

Medical transcriptionists can work in hospitals, medical clinics, physician offices, transcription services or at home. Most transcriptionists require anywhere from 2 to 5 years of MT experience working in a hospital setting/clinical setting before they can work at home. Starting off working from home can be done but it is very difficult and most hospitals/services prefer 2 to 5 years of MT experience.

Over the past 10 years, I have communicated and socialized with many MTs. Below I have listed some reputable on-line courses available for transcription training:

MTEC - http://www.mtecinc.com

Career Step - http://www.careerstep.com (#0818)

Andrews School - http://www.andrewsschool.com/

HPIsum - http://www.hpisum.com/home.ihtml

There are many more training courses available and a lot of small colleges even offer MT training. Again, these are courses that have a good reputation by many MTs whom I have interacted with over the years.

Transcriptionists can be paid different ways, by the line, by the page, by the hour, or salary. Most independent transcriptionists working at home are paid by the line or page. Most MTs working in the hospital are paid by the hour. Salaries can fluctuate depending on many variables. Independent transcriptionists sometimes make more because they are paid by the line and thus with increased speed, they produce more lines, thus earning more. However, independent transcriptionists have to pay all of their taxes. Transcriptionists can also be a statutory employee, which is basically an independent contractor except that the company pays a portion of the taxes.

Visit this link to get a general idea of the pay scale for MTs:

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Medical_Transcriptionist/Salary/by_Employer_Type

Transcriptions do not start out making a lot of money as some advertisements suggest, especially if you are paid by the line. It takes time to learn terminology, get used to different dictators, and lots of time is spent researching. Transcriptionists have to be very disciplined due to the amount of time spent at the computer and because of deadlines for the work to be returned.

Medical Dictionary
Drug index (i.e. Quick Look Drug Book)
Abbreviation book
Pathology and Lab Word Book
Med/Surg Equipment Word Book

There are many other books and resources available for transcriptionists, including specialty books. I transcribe a lot of neurology, so I use Stedman's Neurology and Neurosurgery Word Book.

Hospitals
Medical Clinics
Physician Offices
http://www.mtjobs.com
http://medicaltranscriptionjobs.org/

There are many places online to order resource books, wav players, transcribers, etc.

http://www.amazon.com - Books, transcribers, etc.
http://www.stedmans.com - Books, spellcheckers, etc.
http://www.bytescribe.com - Wav players, foot pedals, etc.

Diana Owen, a medical transcriptionist, wrote this e-book describing ways to becoming a medical transcriptionist. Click Here!

This e-book was written by Michele Miller regarding starting your own medical transcription business. Click Here!

American Drug Index 2007: Published by Facts & Comparisons (American Drug Index)

Medical Transcription: Fundamentals and Practice (3rd Edition)

The AAMT Book of Style for Medical Transcription

Stedman's Medical Dictionary

Stedman's Plus Version 2007 Medical/Pharmaceutical Spellchecker (Standard)

Stedman's Pathology And Laboratory Medicine Words: Includes Histology Fourth Edition (Stedman's Word Books)