Medical transcriptionists help create a part of the patient's electronic health record.
Medical transcription (MT) frequently makes the list of the best work-at-home jobs. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2011 MTs can expect average growth, with good chances for job opportunities, especially for those who receive certification within this specialized skill set. To safely and confidently break into the medical transcription field, make sure to start out on the right educational path so you are prepared to handle its rigors and attain self-fulfillment from working on your own.
Instructions
1. Navigate to the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity's (AHDI) "Find An Approved MT School" webpage (see Resources). Review the list of accredited local and online schools. Strongly consider taking transcription classes online instead of going to a local school, so that you are prepared to handle the real-world task of performing medical transcription at your home. The technical difficulties, glitches and incompatibilities -- as well as the troubleshooting, problem solving and fixes -- that inevitably occur from taking online MT classes transition well into real-world MT work. Navigate to the MT program's webpage on the college's website to learn about and start application procedures.
2. Assess your personal finances that can go toward paying for the full MT program and then apply for aid as needed. The "Funding Options" column on the approved schools webpage on the AHDI website shows the available financial aid options for a particular school. Fill out the U.S. Department of Education's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you want to use Stafford subsidized loans or Pell grants to fund your MT education (see Resources). The financial aid application process should run concurrent with or even before your application to the school and MT program, to buffer for delays and mistakes. Visit the school's financial aid department website to learn about specific application instructions, as they differ from institution to institution. As of 2011, the total cost for MT training and education approaches $5,000, depending on the length and depth of the program. However, tuition usually includes transcription equipment, expensive software-based medical dictionaries and textbooks.
3. Register and enroll in MT classes for the first semester or quarter. Prerequisites, such as humanities and traditional science classes, are generally not required; instead, students ranging from recent high school graduates to nontraditional-age students can handle the curriculum from day one. Some of the first classes include grammar, typing skills and a basic introduction to medical terminology and transcription. If the school ships textbooks and transcription equipment during the first term, expect to perform simple, but graded sample medical transcripts during the early weeks and months of the program. A basic summary of the transcription process is as follows: download prerecorded medical audio to your PC, open the audio file in a playback program that responds to foot pedal commands, type what you hear through the headphones into a word-processed document, and upload the final transcript to the teacher (or employer, later on).
4. Set up a home office for medical transcription while you are going through the MT training and educational program. Furniture includes a sturdy desk and ergonomic office chair. Obtain a multifunctional printer (copy, fax and scan). Foot pedals and good over-the-ear headphones are available from online marketplaces, such as Amazon.com and eBay. NCH's ExpressScribe application is preferred by many in transcription. Many colleges give students a discount on the Microsoft Office suite (Word and Excel). Start a habit of creating temporary backups of transcripts on secured external hard drives and thumb drives. Obtain a secondary or backup computer in the event your main computer fails.
5. Prepare for graduation, which includes making sure you receive passing grades in all required MT program classes, as well as an overall program GPA that meets graduation requirements. Programs range from about a one and a half years to about three years depending on the school. Many of the schools award graduation certificates that demonstrate that students successfully completed the program. The final classes in the MT program commonly help graduate candidates create a resume and cover letter. Make sure you list that you attended an AHDI school. The classes might also focus on job searching techniques as well as the legalities of being an MT, from a business perspective -- employee vs. independent contractor, pay rates, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
6. Apply for a wide variety of medical transcription jobs that result in the opportunity to do the work at home. Medical transcribers handle audio from almost any aspect of the scientific, pharmaceutical and health-care field. They commonly deal with doctor's practices, clinics and hospitals. Many typists are employed by large national medical transcription service organizations (MTSOs), in which one business employs hundreds to thousands of transcriptionists. Many competent transcriptionists are able to go directly to local doctors and hospitals and form a more lucrative relationship. Ask the dean or administrator of the medical transcription program for job leads while actively enrolled in the program. Navigate to the "Employment" webpage on the AHDI website to learn about membership-based job-finding help and benefits. Peruse reputable online job databases, such as Rat Race Rebellion, for medical transcription openings (see Resources).
7. Test for AHDI credentials that go beyond the certificate that is awarded after graduating from an approved MT program. Registered medical transcriptionist (RMT) designation demonstrates that the MT has the knowledge and skills to effectively perform the duties. Certified medical transcriptionist (CMT) designation demonstrates that the MT can perform at the level of an RMT, but can also rise to the level of working in a multispecialty acute-care facility, handling difficult and advanced audio and documentation. The RMT exam is geared toward new MT program graduates, MTs with no more than two years of acute-care experience or MTs working in a single area of health care. The CMT is geared toward MTs who have already obtained an RMT and have two years' acute-care experience; however, the Credential Qualifying Exam might help non-RMT holders bypass this rule. These credentials are not required to gain at-home employment, but some companies do give preference and pay increases to those who do hold the certifications.
8. Condition your body to sustain a career in medical transcription. At home, by yourself, you won't have a supervisor or manager giving you pointers about sitting up straight and stretching your limbs. Obtain wrist braces and ankle braces to ward off repetitive stress injuries. Adjust the height and brightness of your monitor, and use operating system tools to increase the size of text. Take up a regular exercise or yoga program. Be sure to schedule days off so that you don't tire out or get bored from hours of transcribing medical audio.
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