Topics covered
What is a Medical Transcriptionist?
Overview
Transcription is the process of transcribing or converting voice notes or recordings into physical formats. A medical transcriptionist is someone who is responsible for converting “medical transcripts”, from physicians and other healthcare workers into formal and systematic reports via electronic devices. These reports may be related to a patient’s detailed record of diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. Medical transcripts or records are documented in the facility’s system for easy access on the next visit. These reports are of paramount importance for providing top-class healthcare services to our community.
Often, Medical Transcriptionists are referred to as “ Medical Language Specialists”.
Errors pertaining to medical records may often lead to mistakes in formulating treatment plans for patients. Such errors could have potential health risks as well as legal consequences; healthcare professionals and caregivers are legally bound to maintain accurate patient information.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, every year, about 9,300 openings for medical transcriptionists, on an average, are predicted, over the decade. Most medical transcriptionists work full time; however, some also work on a freelance basis (home-based or office-based). Be it full time or part time, medical transcriptionists are generally paid on the number of characters “per line”. Although the standard for the number of characters in a line is 65, the number may vary between 55 and 80 characters per line. Global/international agencies typically pay on “hourly and the number of textual lines worked upon”. The pay range can fall somewhere between USD 15/hour- USD 27/hour.
What does a Medical Transcriptionist do?
Roles & Responsibilities:
Below mentioned are some key roles and responsibilities of a Medical Transcriptionist
- The primary role of a Medical Transcriptionist is to enter data into the “electronic healthcare systems” with the aid of automated software systems. They are sometimes to enter medical data manually and present directly to the healthcare professionals/physicians.
- They are required to create a systematic and organized system of patient information and medical records, maintaining an accurate database for doctors and physicians.
- Their work requires them to understand complex medical terms.
- They are required to translate medical jargons and abbreviations.
- They are required to detect mistakes, inconsistencies or any missing information so that patient care is not compromised.
- They are required to have an excellent command of grammar and punctuation.
How to become a Medical Transcriptionist?
Education & Training
- You will be required to complete class 10 + 12 with physics, chemistry and biology with any other subject as per the scheme of studies with at least 50% marks in your board exams.
- After completing 12th, one can go for Bachelor degree programmes in Allied Health Sciences such as B.Sc. (Medical Laboratory Technology, Nursing, Clinical Research, Medical Records Science & Health Information Management), B.Pharm., Bachelors in Physician Assistantship Training, Bachelors in Physiotherapy or similar.
- After completion of graduation, one must pursue specialization courses in Medical Coding/Medical Transcription.
List of Medical Transcriptionist Courses and Certifications
Below mentioned are some of the recommended courses you may consider for becoming a Medical Transcriptionist:
- Senior Management Programme in Healthcare Management
- Medical Writing Course with Gold Membership
- Medical Transcription Course
- Medical Scribbing Course
- COL Delhi University Certificate Course-Medical Transcription
- Medical Terminology
- Online Medical Transcription Training
- Certificate Course in Medical Transcription
- Diploma in Medical Transcription
- Professional Diploma in Advanced Medical Transcription Training
The Association of Healthcare Documentation Integrity is the professional body for Medical Transcriptionists. Most MTs are eligible for either of two certifications, depending upon experience.
- Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS)- Exam open to MTs with less than two years of experience/transcriptionists working only in one specialty area.
- Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist (CDHS)- Transcriptionists must have at least two years of experience in an acute-care/ multi-speciality setting along with their RDHS certification.
Skills and Competencies
- You need to have background knowledge in physics, chemistry, biology and basic mathematics.
- Excellent computer skills and fast typing.
- Requires utmost attention and active listening skills.
- Able to think and evaluate critically.
- High proficiency in English (grammar and punctuation proficient).
- One should be able to be effective with time management.
- One should have strong coordination skills.
Medical Transcriptionists: Job Opportunities, Scope and Salary
Opportunities:
As a MT, you will primarily get to work with hospitals (both local as well as overseas), medical colleges, clinics/doctor’s offices and transcription services companies. You may work as a full time employee, part- time or freelancer. You may be employed as a full time worker in a hospital setting. However, several consultancies may hire you as part-timers/freelancers.
Some Key Players– 3M Co., Acusis LLC, Lingual Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. iMedX Inc. Global Medical Transcription LLC, Nuance Communications Inc., World Wide Dictation Service of New York Inc.
Scope: Overall growth of Medical Transcriptionists is substantially moderate.
- They may begin their journey as Junior Medical Transcriptionists, progressing to Senior Medical Transcriptionists, Team Leader/Head, Manager and so on.
- Medical Transcriptionists may also work as Medical Editors, Medical Proofer, Medical Record Specialists, Medical Registrars, Health Information Technologists, Emergency Medical Technicians, Medical Assistants, Medical Coding, Medical Biller, Medical Receptionist, Medical Secretary, Medical Office Administrator, Court Reporters, File Clerks etc.
Salary in India: Salaries vary with level and experience:
| Level/Experience (Years) | Monthly Salary (INR) |
| Entry (0-2) | 10000-25000 |
| Junior (1-12) | 15000-30000 |
| Mid (5 -20) | 25000-40000 |
| Senior (10-25) | 30000-60000 |
Epilogue
Hopefully, we were able to provide adequate information regarding Medical Transcriptionists. If you are thinking about exploring your career as a transcriptionist in the field of medical/sciences, then Medical Transcriptionist could be a potential career choice for you. It is definitely one of the most favored and essential job roles in the industry today. Once you’ve decided to pursue or dip your toes in the thoughts of it, allow us to make it a bit easier for you.
Talk to an expert today to figure out more of what you must know before you begin your journey. At iDreamCareer with the help of our Career Counselling and Guidance Services and educational counsellor, we try to help many young confused minds from 9th class, 10th class, class 11, class 12 with an aim to select their suitable career choices.
Useful Links
- Medical Transcriptionist
- Medical Transcription Overview
- What is a Medical Transcriptionist ?
- COL Delhi University Certificate Course- Medical Transcriptionist
- Medical Terminology Specialization
- Online Medical Transcription Training
- Certificate Course in Medical Transcriptionist
FAQs
A Medical Transcriptionist or MT is someone who is responsible for converting “medical transcripts”, from physicians and other healthcare workers into formal and systematic reports via electronic devices. Sometimes, they are referred to as “Medical Language Specialists”
The primary role of a Medical Transcriptionist is to document data using electronic devices or manually. They are required to identify mistakes, discrepancies or any missing information in the health care systems.
In order to become a MT, one must be thorough with terms and jargons, should possess strong writing and typing skills, knowledge of computers, should be attentive to details and good with time management.
One must have completed their 10+ 2 with physics, chemistry and biology with any other scheme of subjects. After completing 12th, one can pursue their bachelors degree in any of Allied Health Sciences fields like B.Pharm, Nursing, Clinical Research, Health Information Management etc.
Yes, it is recommended to pursue certification courses in Medical Coding or Transcription after completing graduation. There are various online as well as offline courses available such as Diploma in Medical Transcription or COL Delhi University Certificate Course-Medical Transcription etc.
Medical Transcriptionists do have a wide array of career choices such as Medical Editors, Proofers, Medical Record specialists, Medical Coding, Court Reports etc; they have a decent pay and moderate growth.
Snigdha Sen is an Associate Researcher at iDC with the Research & Data Team. She has completed her Ph.D in Psychology from Jamia Millia Islamia and has 2 years of professional experience in Recruitment and Project Management.
