Thinking Outside of Medical Transcription

If you're working in medical transcription, or even just considering it, it is quite possible that you are having doubts and worries what with the EHRs (electronic health records) and VRs (voice recognition programs) busting out all over the place. As a medical transcriptionist myself, I can tell you that I completely understand your concerns. But I ask you this: have you started thinking outside of the box?

As a medical transcriptionist, especially with training and/or experience, you have acquired a lot of finely tuned skills that those in the general public do not possess. Doing transcription work is more than just typing - and even more than gaining medical knowledge. It takes a lot of work to do what we do. We transcriptionists have finely tuned listening skills, grammar skills, spelling skills... and we are very disciplined individuals. It is not easy to simultaneously decipher what we hear (from mumbling, slurring, fast-talking dictators, mind you) and edit grammar, spelling, and formatting. Doing this is essential, however, as speed + accuracy = a decent paycheck.

With all of this in mind, do you realize that there is more out there... more outside of this little box... than medical transcription?

Medical transcription alone can be widespread and interesting. From radiology, ophthalmology, dentistry, and psychology to oncology, gynecology, podiatry, and internal medicine, there is a HUGE amount of work that needs to be done. However, as mentioned earlier, a lot of us fear where our profession may be headed. As it is when more technologies become available, we question just how useful we will be in the future - will computers all but wipe us out?

And that is where the other types of transcription come in. We are trained! We are intelligent! We are able to do this other work! Do not be afraid to take a step down an unfamiliar path. Try out something new and you may just find you like it.

Here are some more types of transcription out there: entertainment transcription, veterinary transcription, legal transcription, business transcription, market research, focus group transcription, interview transcription, podcast transcription, academic transcription, sermon transcription... and so much more!

Change is scary, but so is being left behind. Opening yourself to other avenues and accepting that things do change is one way to ensure that you will not become this world's old news.

**If you are in need of transcription services, or know someone who does, check out N/A Transcription Services**