Medical Transcriptionists
Additional Information
Duties
Some of the job duties of a Medical Transcriptionists:
- Listen to a doctor's or other healthcare professional's recorded dictation.
- Transcribing and translating the dictation into medical records such as patient histories and exam notes as well as referral letters and discharge summaries.
- Make sure the transcription is accurate, thorough, and follows a standard style when editing drafts generated by speech recognition software.
- Transform shorthand and jargon in the medical field into its proper longform.
- Determine whether or not a report has any inconsistencies, inaccuracies, or omissions that might jeopardize the safety of patients.
- To confirm that reports are correct, follow up with the healthcare practitioner.
- Submit your medical records to doctors for their approval.
- Respect the privacy of patients and maintain all necessary records as required by law.
- Enable electronic health records systems (EHR) by uploading medical records.
- Conduct quality control audits.
This method of transcribing is still employed in some cases by medical transcriptionists, although it is no longer as common as it was in the past. Speech recognition technology, in which specialized software automatically creates an initial draft of a report, is becoming more widespread in medical records. This is followed by an audit by a transcriptionist who listens to and fixes any inaccuracies in the report as needed. The transcripts are prepared by transcriptionists with the use of word processing and other specialist tools, as well as medical reference sources as necessary.
Diagnostic processes, pharmacology and therapy evaluations, as well as medical terminology, anatomical and physiologic understanding are a few of the skills required for medical transcriptionists to excel in their careers. If they don't accurately translate and transcribe the information from the healthcare worker, they might end up giving the patient treatments that aren't beneficial or even hazardous. Electronic health record (EHR) systems may be useful to medical transcriptionists as well.
Patients may be greeted and called by medical transcriptionists who work in doctors' offices.
Education
Vocational schools, community colleges, and distance-learning programs offer postsecondary education in medical transcribing, which employers prefer to hire transcriptionists who have completed. Medical transcribing programs are primarily one-year certificate programs, although there are also two-year associate degree programs available.
Anatomy, medical terminology, risk management, legal difficulties, and English grammar and punctuation are all commonly taught in programs. On-the-job training is often a part of these programs. Training and refresher courses can help certain transcriptionists, especially those who have previously worked as a nursing assistant or medical secretary, improve their skills.
Registration, Licenses, and Certifications
Even though certification is not necessary, some medical transcriptionists prefer to get certified. Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) and Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist (CHDS) credentials are available from the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity. Passing an exam and retesting or continuous education is required for both credentials.
Previously known as the Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT), the RHDS certification is for new graduates with fewer than two years of experience working in a single specialty setting, such as a clinic or a doctor's office.
RHDS-certified transcriptionists can apply for the CHDS certification, formerly known as the Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT). Candidates for the CHDS program must also have at least two years of experience in acute care, including dictation experience in a variety of medical specialties.
Medical transcriptionists must meet continuing education requirements every three years in order to keep certification.
Qualities that are essential
Knowledge of how to use a computer. Because of the nature of their work, medical transcriptionists must be proficient in the use of computers and word processing software. It's possible that they'll have to learn how to use EHR systems, too.
ability to think critically. Medical transcriptionists are responsible for ensuring that the final versions of medical reports are free of errors and discrepancies. In order to find the data, they require and be certain that the sources are authentic and dependable, they must also exercise critical thinking when conducting research.
Listening comprehension. To be a good medical transcriptionist, one must pay close attention to what doctors say. They must be able to hear and understand the medical report's intended meaning.
The ability to effectively manage one's time. Medical transcriptionists should be able to operate well under pressure and meet tight deadlines due to the nature of their profession.
Skills in the craft of writing. An understanding of the English language and grammar is essential for medical transcriptionists.
Pay
The median annual wage for medical transcriptionists was $37,550 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,370, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $53,890.
Job Projections
Employment of medical transcriptionists is projected to decline 5 percent from 2023 to 2033.