If you've been thinking about entering the medical support industry, maybe as a medical transcriptionist, then you may be wondering just what the typical day on the job looks like.
An Overview Of Your Career
Medical transcriptionists are an essential part of the healthcare process. You take both verbal and written notes medical staff make and transcribe them into a central database. After that, they are made available to all of the medical personnel taking care of a patient.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary of a medical transcriptionist in 2023 was $38,220. The top 10 percent of medical transcriptionists in 2023 earned $49,840.
Where You Work
Medical transcriptionists rarely, if ever, interact with patients directly. However, your role is nonetheless crucial. Some are employed by healthcare offices, or you may be self-employed. Some transcriptionists work in a doctor's office or a hospital; others work from home. You may decide to work full time, while others could choose part-time work. One of the nice things about this career is that it adapts well to a variety of needs and lifestyles.
Today, I Have to...
In a typical day, you will listen to recordings from doctors and enter them into a computer database. Often, you have to translate abbreviations and a doctor's particular shorthand into language that a broader audience will be able to understand.
A good medical transcriptionist not only needs to know medical terminology but also medical coding and speech recognition software. Familiarity with anatomy and physiology is also a plus.
Let’s Get Started!
A one-year course in medical transcription is usually required to enter this field. This education will earn you a certificate. Or, you can earn an associate degree in medical transcription, which usually takes about two years to complete. It all begins with finding a school near you!
