Medical Transcriptionists as Career
If you are considering a career in healthcare documentation, as a medical transcriptionist or speech recognition editor, it could be an interesting career with challenges yet has the flexibility of working from home options too.
Medical transcriptionists listen to dictated recordings made by physicians and transcribe them into medical reports or correspondence. The documents they produce include discharge summaries, history and physical examination reports, operative reports, consultation reports, autopsy reports, diagnostic imaging studies, progress notes and referral letters. These documents eventually become part of patients’ permanent files.
Role of Medical Transcriptionists
- Listen to the recorded dictation of a doctor or other health professional.
- Transcribing dictation for different types of reports in the field of medicine and include physical examination reports, operations, consultation, discharge summaries etc. to name a few.
- Editing and reviewing the transcribed reports for clarity, grammar, medical terminology, clarity and spelling.
- Edit drafts prepared by speech recognition software and check for accuracy and consistent style.
- Translate medical abbreviations or jargon into the appropriate long form.
- Recognize inconsistencies within a report and follow up with the healthcare provider to ensure accuracy.
- Submit written reports for physicians to approve.
- Follow patient confidentiality guidelines and legal documentation requirements.
Skills Needed to be Medical Transcriptionist
Command Over Language: Excellent skills in English or native language- usage, grammar, punctuation, and style.
Computer Skills: Medical transcriptionists must be comfortable using computers and word-processing software, because those tools are an essential part of their jobs.
Eye for Details: Transcriptionists must focus on details to write reports correctly and spot any inaccuracies and inconsistencies in finished drafts.
Work under Pressure: Because dictation must be done quickly, medical transcriptionists must be comfortable working under short deadlines and under pressure.
Writing Skills: Medical transcriptionists need a good understanding of the English language and grammar.
Excellent Listening Skills: Must have excellent listening skills.
Typical Job Titles for Medical Transcriptionists
Some of the job titles for medical transcriptionists are:
Certified healthcare documentation specialists
Certified medical transcriptionists
Healthcare documentation specialists
Medical record transcribers
Medical stenographers
Medical transcribers
Pathology transcriptionists
Radiology transcriptionists
Registered healthcare documentation specialists
Registered medical transcriptionists
Transcriptionists, medical
Training of Medical Transcriptionists
Courses in medical transcriptions are offered through different vocational and technical training institutes. Candidates with a 12 year qualification can pursue a programme in medical transcription of 1 or 2 year duration. After successful completion Certificate/Diploma/Associate degree is awarded.
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