Medical Transcriptionists

Career summary

Transcriptionists interpret and transcribe information related to a patient's:

• Medical history
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Discharge

The transcription report becomes part of a patient's file. The files are used by physicians and health care providers to document a patient's medical care. The files are sometimes referred to for insurance billing or legal proceedings.

Transcriptionists must be able to:

• Type fast
• Spell accurately
• Translate medical abbreviations and jargon

They must also be familiar with computers and word processing software. In addition, they must follow specific codes of ethics. Patient information must be kept confidential.

Some transcriptionists also perform light office duties, such as filing and answering phones. It is also common for many to work from home, either on a freelance basis or as telecommuters.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Billing Clerks
• Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerks
• Court Reporters
• Data Entry Keyers
• Health Information Technicians
• Human Resources Assistants
• Legal Secretaries
• Medical Coders and Billers
• Receptionists
• Secretaries
• Typists and Word Processors

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to medical transcriptionists.

• Listen to physicians' taped recordings of medical reports, using a dictation machine. They also listen to digital voice recordings.
• Transcribe dictation for a variety of medical reports, including emergency room visits, physical exams, and operations.
• Decide which information should be put in or taken out of reports.
• Determine the correct word or medical term. Refer to medical dictionaries or other sources.
• Review and edit transcribed reports for spelling, grammar, and clarity. Identify mistakes in reports and check with doctors to get the correct information.
• Return edited reports in print or electronic form for doctors' review. Fix any mistakes.
• Take dictation using shorthand or a stenotype machine.
• May produce medical reports, statistics, and patient-care materials.
• Perform data entry and other light office duties.
• May answer inquiries about specific medical cases.
• Use dictionaries and medical reference texts to determine the correct word or phrase.
• May perform clerical tasks including handling mail, submitting insurance claims, and filing.

Common work activities

Medical transcriptionists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Use computers
• Document and record information
• Get information needed to do the job
• Process information
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Establish and maintain relationships

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, medical transcriptionists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a low level of social interaction.
• Usually talk with others by telephone or e-mail. They also talk to others by face-to-face discussions.
• Sometimes work as part of a team of transcriptionists.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.

Work performance

• Must be extremely accurate when transcribing patient notes. Errors could cause harm to patients' health.
• Repeat the same physical and mental activities.
• Must keep up with the speed of recorded medical records. Transcribers must type as the doctor is speaking on the tape.
• Make decisions that impact doctors and patients. This usually involves selecting the right medical term or phrase.
• Must meet strict daily deadlines.
• Determine their daily goals by the number of records that need to be transcribed.

Hours/travel

• Work part time or full time. Schedules are usually established, if working in an office.
• May have flexible schedules. Some transcriptionists work out of their home.

Physical demands

Medical transcriptionists frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important for medical transcriptionists to be able to:

• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for medical transcriptionists to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.

Skills and abilities

Medical transcriptionists need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Perceive and visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Medical Transcription

Other programs of study to consider

• Data Entry and Processing
• Health Records Technology
• Medical Assisting
• Medical Office Support
• Medical Secretarial Studies
• Office Support

Training

To work as a medical transcriptionist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete a medical transcription program.

Education after high school

Most medical transcriptionists have some formal training beyond high school. Business and vocational schools and community colleges offer one- and two-year programs. It is increasingly common to complete a two-year associate degree program before working as a medical transcriptionist. These programs offer courses in medical terminology, word processing, and grammar.

You need basic office skills such as accounting, keyboarding, filing, and recordkeeping. In addition, you need excellent spelling, punctuation, and grammar. You also need to know medical terminology and stenography.

Work experience

Some people prepare for this occupation through work experience. You can work your way up through clerical jobs at medical offices, learning new skills at each one.

On-the-job training

New graduates may work under the guidance of experienced medical transcriptionists. You work independently and on more difficult tasks as you gain knowledge and experience. Training usually lasts up to three months.

Because of the fast changing nature of this field, employers may offer training in the newest office technologies, terminology, and software.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements . You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Applications
• Introduction to Health Care
• Office Procedures

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers prefer medical transcriptionists who have had specialized training or experience in a medical field. In addition, nearly all employers require knowledge of word processing and database management programs. Employers look for applicants who are fast and accurate typists and who know how to operate Dictaphones. They also look for people who have good spelling and grammar skills. Employers prefer applicants who have good people skills. Good judgment and organizational ability are also helpful.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Medical Transcriptionists 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

There are several methods for determining the amount of pay for transcriptionists. Some are paid based on the number of lines they transcribe. Others are paid by the hour. Some receive bonuses if they exceed the expected amount of work.

Transcriptionists who work full time for a hospital or doctor's office are likely to receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. 

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Hospitals
• Doctor's offices
• Medical transcription offices

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will decline. Automation will slow growth. Speech recognition technology is making transcriptionists more productive, and as a result, fewer transcriptionists will be needed. An increase in the aging population will create some demand for medical transcription services. Older people are more likely to receive medical tests and treatments that require documentation.

Job openings will occur as people leave the occupation. Job prospects will be best for those with electronic medical records experience.

Other resources

American Health Information Management Association Career Page 
What is Health Information?

Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity 
4120 Dale Road, Suite J8-233
Modesto, CA 95356
800.982.2182
209.527.9620

Explore Health Careers: Healthcare Documentation Specialist 

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Conventional (Business Operations)

O*Net  occupation

• Medical Transcriptionists (31-9094.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Transcribing-machine Operator (203.582-058) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Conventional/Realistic/Investigative

COPSystem

• Clerical