Would you love a work-from-home lifestyle? Many people do—whether they are caretakers of young children or aging parents, have a health condition that makes commuting a hardship, or simply desire more flexibility in their vocation.
If you’ve been looking for a way to earn your living out of the comfort of your own home and have an interest in the medical field, consider a career in medical transcription. The tasks performed by a medical transcriptionist are essential for improving communication and quality of care for patients at every level of the healthcare system.
What Does a Medical Transcriptionist Do?
A medical transcriptionist is a bit like a scribe. His or her main job is to listen to medical recordings and dictations from physicians and other healthcare providers and then interpret, type, and formalize them into clear and accurate written reports—something that busy doctors just don’t have the time nor sometimes even the skills to do. These reports become an official part of a patient’s medical records whether electronic, written, or both.
It doesn’t take a huge stretch of the imagination to understand why a medical transcriptionist’s job is so important! Errors in a person’s medical record could be costly or even deadly in extreme cases.
Anyone interested in medical transcription training should:
- Be prepared to develop the skills necessary to create timely and correct documentation
- Be familiar with terms related to physiology, anatomy, and other medical jargon
- Have strong grammar skills and (ideally) fast and accurate typing skills
- Be committed to strict patient confidentiality as mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
The Benefits of a Career in Medical Transcription—And How to Get Started
As mentioned, one of the greatest benefits of a career in medical transcription is that you can work from home. You also have more freedom with your schedule and you’ll be able to spend your day helping people receive timely and accurate healthcare. Plus, the typical hourly pay of a medical transcriptionist is well above the federal minimum wage, and on average you can expect to make around $30,000 per year.
How to become a medical transcriptionist requires just a few steps, and formal medical transcription training (in addition to a high school diploma or GED) is required. Fortunately, there are many medical transcription schools available online. At Ashworth College, we’re committed to helping you learn the skills you need and prepare for your certification with confidence.
Are you interested in medical transcription training? Ashworth College is a premier choice for online medical transcription training that has helped thousands of individuals prepare for a new, flexible, and in-demand career. Call 1-800-957-5412 or click here to request more info.
