Will You Make a Good Medical Transcriptionist?

Many people are drawn to the field of medical transcription because it is possible to make a good living working at home. Unfortunately, some transcriptionists become disheartened just a few months after landing a job, as they find the work is much more challenging than they had anticipated. Regardless of whether you plan to work from home or in a hospital or clinic setting, here are some points to help you determine if this is the right career for you:

#1 - Do you have good typing skills? If not, are you willing to invest time and effort to improve? Much of a transcriptionist's day is spent typing, and the better your speed and accuracy at the keyboard, the more work you will produce.

#2 - Are you good at spelling and grammar? Most doctors do not spell drug names or tell you where to place punctuation when they dictate and those that do often give incorrect instructions. Although spellcheckers will help catch some errors, you need strong skills in these areas. Be prepared for some serious study time to correct any weaknesses you may have.

#3 - Do you enjoy learning? A good transcriptionist never stops learning. To enter this field you need a good foundation in medical terminology, anatomy, pharmacological terms, equipment and procedure names, as well as terms relevant to various medical specialties. New diseases and treatments are discovered nearly every day, and you will need to stay abreast of the changes. Additionally, you will need to learn the features of word processing programs, productivity tools, and software packages. There are also a variety of professional certifications to be earned. You need a commitment to lifelong learning for maximum growth in this occupation.

#4 - Can your body handle this type of work? You will be sitting for long periods of time, typing for hours a day, and focusing on a computer screen as you type and proofread. Although you can reduce much of the stress and strain through ergonomic furniture and equipment and taking stretch breaks, some transcriptionists find the sitting, repetitive motion, and eyestrain are problematic for them.

#5 - Can you handle frustration? Understanding dictations can be challenging. Many physicians have heavy accents. Some doctors race through their dictations so fast you can only make out every other word, while others talk so slowly you will almost fall off your chair from boredom. In addition, there are often background noises in the dictations such as beepers, intercoms, passing traffic, and people talking in hallways. It can be incredibly frustrating when you can't make out words or sentences or sometimes full dictations no matter how much you strain your ears, play with volume controls, and adjust the playing speed. You must have the ability to deal with these situations professionally by doing the best you can, admitting when you're stuck, and requesting help when needed.

#6 - Do you have a thick skin? Most medical transcriptionists have their work go through 100% quality audits when they first start out. Later, after the transcriptionist has demonstrated their ability, their work will be spot-checked. Quality assurance editors are generally tactful when pointing out errors, but some are not. You must be able to accept that each correction brings an opportunity to learn, and you need to receive corrections without embarrassment or anger.

Medical transcription can be personally and financially rewarding for those who are suited to the work. By taking time up front to evaluate the requirements, you will move confidently towards your goal of becoming a happy and successful transcriptionist.