Physicians pressed for time need transcriptionists to prepare narrative reports.
Medical transcriptionists type recorded narrative reports into written text. They listen to a doctor's analog or digital recording, then type the words verbatim into a computer file for printing and filing. Transcriptionists need to develop speed and accuracy, and become familiar with often difficult medical terminology. A mistake on a medical report can have severe consequences for both patient and doctor.
Line Rates
Most medical transcriptionists are paid per line, usually 10 to 15 cents. More is charged for rush assignments completed within 24 hours. The rate varies in different markets, where costs and expenses are different for both transcriptionists and doctors.
Line Counting
Transcriptionists track typed lines through the counting feature in most transcription software. This feature can count words, characters or lines for each completed file. Most software can also track time spent on each file, if necessary. The line count report is offered to the client along with the submitted text, usually on a separate page or integrated report that covers all jobs completed in a single pay period.
Other Formats
Some transcriptionists may charge per page, character or hour. These may be problematic when marketing to doctors, who regard line counts as the standard mode for transcription work. Also, an hourly rate makes it difficult to adjust for specialized jobs.
Freelancing
Most medical transcriptionists work out of their homes as sole proprietors, independently setting their own rates and handling their own marketing, billing and prospecting. Others work under contract for companies either alone or with other secretarial services for physicians and other professionals, like lawyers, who need frequent transcription services. Working under contract relieves some of the burden of operating a business, but free-lancing offers a higher rate of income.
New Methods
Voice-recognition software threatens to make manual transcription of medical reports obsolete. A doctor who can simply dictate into an office computer and have an immediate text file would save on costs and time. However, many of these programs still contain flaws, and all are costly to purchase and update. Utilizing a skilled medical transcriptionist is, for most doctors, still the most cost-effective method.
Tags: medical transcriptionists, Most medical, Most medical transcriptionists, narrative reports, under contract
