I often get asked what my work as a medical transcriptionist is all about. I will say this: it’s the perfect career for anyone who wants to be a part of the health care industry without toiling away in med school for half a dozen years. Here’s the lowdown on this rewarding, flexible profession.
An Overview of the Medical Transcription Process
What exactly does an MT do? Doctors, with the help of voice-recording software, record the details of every patient meeting, including the physical examination and medical problems, any lab and diagnostic tests that were requested or their results, diagnosis, plan of treatment and instructions given to the patient. The MT transcribes this audio file into a report or record.
Training/Educational Requirements
In order to become an MT, you would ideally complete an associate degree or enroll in a diploma program after high school. Many vocational schools and colleges offer training and some, such as CareerStep, also offer online courses that you can complete in as little as four months. Coursework for medical transcription includes subjects such as anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, and English grammar. To be a really good MT, your skill set must include: strong attention to detail, excellent written English, typing speed, computer skills, and an ear for accents (in Canada, you’ll find doctors come from many cultures!).
You can also choose to obtain certification, although it’s not mandatory. But certification shows a potential employer your dedication toward your calling. Certifications are maintained by the AHDI (Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity) and are known as RMT (Registered Medical Transcriptionist) and CMT (Certified Medical Transcriptionist). Fresh graduates with little or no experience under their belt can take the RMT exam, whereas the CMT exam is for experienced MTs who have worked in a medical specialty such as acute care.
Job Duties of an MT
- MTs listen to the voice recordings of doctors or nurses and then transcribe them into referral letters, diagnostic test results and other documents as necessary. These documents eventually form part of the patient’s medical record.
- The transcribed reports must comply with legal policies and adhere to patient confidentiality.
- MTs may consult medical terms and procedures to verify for inconsistencies.
- They may have to follow up with the doctor if they find any discrepancies within the voice recordings.
- They must keep a log of all the transcribed reports, perform quality checks on them and submit them to the doctor for approval.
Typical Work Environment
MTs usually work in hospitals and doctors’ offices. Or they can work in offices for corporations that provide transcription services for hospitals, medical centres, and health care establishments. MTs can also telecommute (work from home), either as an independent contractor or an employee of a firm or doctor’s office.
Job Outlook/Pay Rate
According to statistics, the job outlook for medical transcription is bright and there’s a huge potential for growth. The compensation is fairly high: $21 an hour is the median wage, so if you’re really good at what you do and have enough experience, you can earn as much as $27.50 an hour.
Medical transcription doesn’t require extensive training and it could be the ideal choice, especially if you are looking to work from home. If you’re truly interested in making this your career choice, look for reputable schools that offer on-the-job training. Good luck!
