Medical transcriptionists use headsets to transcribe dictated medical reports.
Medical transcriptionists transcribe dictation for a variety of medical reports dictated by physicians and other health-care professionals. Transcriptionists have to dictate chart reviews, diagnostic imaging studies, operations, discharge summaries, emergency room visits, consultations and final summaries using transcribing machines with a headset and foot pedal. It is the responsibility of the transcriptionist to review and edit transcribed reports for clarity, spelling, grammar, consistency and proper medical terminology.
Duties
The duties required of a home-based medical transcriptionist include translating medical jargon and abbreviations into their expanded forms to make sure everything in the patient and health-care records is accurate; returning dictated reports in electronic or printed form for the physician to review, sign and correct; performing data entry and data retrieval services; and deciding which information should be included or excluded in reports. Medical transcriptionists also set up and maintain medical files and databases, answer inquiries regarding the progress of medical cases, and perform clerical duties such as completing and submitting insurance claims, typing and filing.
Skills
A home-based medical transcriptionist needs active listening skills, time management skills, reading comprehension skills and writing skills. It is important to have active listening skills in order to correctly and accurately transcribe medical reports. Time management skills are useful when balancing the day's tasks. Reading comprehension skills are important when reviewing reports for accuracy. You must be able to understand what you're reading in order to complete reports. Writing skills are helpful for communicating effectively in written form. Having oral comprehension skills is also important, as transcriptionists need to be able to understand dictated material as well as read and understand written information.
Knowledge
Medical transcriptionists must have knowledge of the English language and administrative and clerical procedures and systems, such as managing records and files, word processing, designing forms, stenography and transcription, and other office procedures and terminology. They must also have knowledge of medical terminology and medicine and dentistry knowledge. They must know the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human diseases, injuries and deformities, including treatment alternatives, preventative health-care measures, symptoms, and drug properties and interactions.
Requirements
Most medical transcriptionists working at home acquire training provided by a vocational school, but some complete a two-year associate's degree or one-year certificate program. These courses teach anatomy, legal issues regarding health care, medical terminology, and English punctuation and grammar. Some of these programs include supervised on-the-job experience. Home-based medical transcriptionists usually complete distance-learning programs.
Salary
Medical transcriptionists made an average hourly rate of $15.41 in May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Tags: Medical transcriptionists, comprehension skills, medical reports, medical terminology, able understand, active listening
