Transcriptionist Career
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Transcriptionist Job Description
A medical transcriptionist is in charge of documenting procedures conducted by physicians and other medical persons. They are given voice-recorded notes made by physicians, which they write down and record in to a type-written file using a computer, a head-set and a foot pedal to monitor the soundtrack.
Basically, they use transcribing devices, with a head-set and foot pedal to listen to the recordings dictated by doctors. They listen to medical reports, clinical history-taking, emergency room visits, operations, diagnostic imaging studies, chart assessments, and summaries.
They transcribe the reports and decode various medical jargon and abbreviations in to their extended forms. They edit when required and return the documentations in a printed form or electronic form for appraisal and signature, or rectification.
Most transcriptionists work in doctors' offices / hospitals, some work for business-support facilities, investigative laboratories, out-patient care centers or clinics of specialty therapists. They may also function autonomously from home, and communicate through email.
Medical transcription can be a part-time / full-time job job, and many are self-employed, setting their own hours or shifts.
Transcriptionist Skills/Duties
Medical transcription involves writing out various kinds of communication, messages, medical records and documents, as spoken by doctors and other health care personnel in to a printed layout. They listen on a head-set and key the transcription into a computer.
The transcriptionist must precisely record the medical terminologies and treatment procedures, and thus, he needs to be familiar and well acquainted with the medical language. Corrections can be made for lucidity, but accurateness is very important.
Once completed, the document is given back to the physician for a final verification before filing in to the hospital records. The finished reports / documents are official and are used during upcoming treatments, insurance processing and legal testimonials.
Some that a transcriptionist may transcribe are: Operative reports, Procedure notes, Consultation reports, Medical histories, Autopsy reports, Progress notes, Discharge reports, Referral letters and Diagnostic imaging studies.
Transcriptionist Education and Training
• A medical transcriptionist must have post-secondary education through colleges, vocational schools, and correspondence courses. They opt for a 2 year Associate Degree Program, or a 1 year Certificate Program. Each consists of widespread training courses, and directed ‘on-the-job’ guidance.
• Even though accreditation is not necessary, transcriptionists can attain official recognition via the Approval Committee for Certificate Programs (ACCP). On the other hand, medical transcriptionists looking for certification need to undertake an ACCP accepted program. What’s more, graduates of ACCP courses can take part in the Registered Apprenticeship Program, which gives competent medical transcriptionists ‘on-the-job’ training as well as technical instructions.
• Supplementary tests are generally necessary to become certified. To become certified, transcriptionists have to complete an educational program or have less than two years experience and pass an examination. Those seeking certification need two years of experience working in areas of surgery as well as pass the certification exam.
• Certified and registered transcriptionists must continue training / education to renew their certification.
Transcriptionist Job Outlook
The job prospect for a transcriptionist is very good, since, employment is projected to increase faster than average, for all occupations through 2012.
Out-sourcing / contracting work-projects out of the country have become progressively more popular. Hospitals, clinics and offices need domestic transcription services, and use international sources only as an add-on. The biggest increase is calculated to come from doctors’ clinics and large group practices, where there is a great requirement for consistent records. Hospitals will also continue to engage a huge number of transcriptionists.
According to the U.S. Labor Bureau, medical transcription jobs are is estimated to increase 14 % in the next decade.
Transcriptionist Salary
Earnings of a medical transcriptionist depend on experience, training, location, basis of payment (number of hours worked vs. number of lines transcribed) and whether they are corporate employees who work out of hospitals and other offices, or independent contractors working from home. Independent transcriptionists earn more, but collect fewer benefits and have greater out-of-pocket costs. The average salary of a Medical Transcriptionist in the United States is $25,000 per annum.
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