Begin Your Transcription Career Now
Jobs in the medical field are usually associated with long hours of study, expensive medical school tuitions, and years of intense training. However, there are many lucrative, rewarding positions within the field of health care that do not require an advanced degree.
Medical transcription is a popular career option among professionals who are drawn to the medical field, but who do not want to take on the hectic work lives of doctors and nurses. The field of medical transcription is relatively easy to enter, requiring only a certificate or associate degree.
Medical transcriptionists work regular 40-hour weeks, sometimes working from home via the Internet. They review the voice recordings made by doctors during treatments, autopsies and other procedures, transcribing the information into type-written documents. These documents are instrumental in the exchange between doctors, lawyers and insurance companies. English and grammatical skills are important in this role, as precision plays a part in ensuring the smooth flow of the treatment process.
Medical transcription training can be found at junior colleges and career schools, where education is fast and affordable. To find medical transcription schools near you, simply complete our School Finder form to the right and browse the programs available in your area. You can then request information from as many schools as you'd like. As always, your information will be kept safe.
Medical Transcriptionist Job Description
Medical transcriptionists are responsible for documenting the procedures performed by doctors and other medical personnel. Their type-written notes and reports are considered official medical documents, and are used during future treatments, legal testimonial and insurance processing.
Medical transcriptionists may work in a hospital or physician's clinic, or they may work from home. They use a computer or word processor, a headset, and a foot pedal to control the recording.
Some of the documents a medical transcriptionist may transcribe include:
- Procedure notes
- Autopsy reports
- Medical histories
- Discharge reports
- Diagnostic imaging studies
- Referral letters
To find medical transcription training programs near you, complete the School Finder form to the right and request more information from schools in your area.
Medical Transcriptionist Training
Medical transcription training takes place at a junior college, career school or university. Programs generally range from 12 to 24 months, resulting in a certificate or associate degree. Online courses are also available through many schools.
Some of the subject covered during medical transcription training may include:
- Anatomy
- Medical terminology
- Legal issues in health care
- English grammar
- Typing & transcription
After training, students usually become certified in order to stand out to the best employers. To be eligible for certification, the student must have graduated from a program accredited by the Approval Committee for Certificate Programs (AACP), so it is good to ask about a school's accreditation before enrolling.
To see a list of medical transcription schools near you, complete the School Finder form to the right. You can then easily request more information from the schools that interest you.
Medical Transcriptionist Salaries
Most medical transcriptionists make between $25,300 and $35,400 annually, though experienced transcriptionists can make upwards of $41,900. Salaries vary by region and by industry, with the highest average wages coming from insurance companies ($38,200).
The most common industries and their average salaries are below.
Industry Average salary |
|
| Offices of physicians | $29,100 |
| Outpatient care centers | $29,700 |
| Business support services | $29,800 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals | $30,400 |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | $32,600 |
To get started on your medical transcriptionist career, complete the School Finder form to the right and request information from the schools in your area that interest you.
Medical Transcriptionist Career Outlook
In the rapidly expanding health care industry, medical transcription employment is expected to grow 14% in the next decade, which is faster than average. The largest growth is predicted to come from physicians' offices and large group practices, where there is a high demand for standardized records.
This industry growth is due in part to the growing population of elderly, which will increase the need for medical procedures that need to be documented. Also spurring growth is the demand for more digital documentation, as digital documents can be shared more easily between third party payers.
To get started on your medical transcription career, complete the School Finder form to the right and request more information from schools in your area.
