Medical Transcription as a Profession – What You Need To Know

In the medical field, doctors use tools like dragon medical to take the plethora of notes and files created to help keep track of patients, diseases and much more. Patient record keeping, in particular, is a very crucial task. Many times, it falls on the medical transcription workers to create these documents. And because it is in the medical profession, accuracy is absolutely key. If you are interested in becoming a medical transcriptionist there are certain things you should be aware of including the knowledge and skills you need to succeed. This article will help to outline some of these points.

It will normally work in your favor to already have experience in the medical field when applying for jobs as a medical transcription worker. In general, one requires a good knowledge of medical terminology because you will come across jargon and medical terms quite often in your work. It is also important that your grammar, writing and communication skills are quite strong. One should have above average spelling and memory skills as well. Because of the type of work involved in medical dictation and transcription the ability to sort, check, count and verify numbers quickly and accurately is sought after. Of course, because you’ll be using digital dictation and transcription equipment a lot in the work, a good handle on basic office technology (computers, recording devices, etc.) is an asset as well. Depending on the equipment used at the office you apply to, it may be also necessary to have good eye, hand and foot coordination.

Because the job is basically typing out whatever is spoken, the ability to follow written and verbal instruction is imperative. It should also go without saying that typing speed and skill plays into your ability to get hired, as does the ability to maintain records accurately, effectively and efficiently. As mentioned earlier, you will need an understanding of medical terminology. How advanced this understanding has to be depends largely on the type of medical organization you’re working for and the duties required of you. As such, it’s generally a good idea to be familiar with things like human anatomy, physiology, diseases, disease processes and medical grammar style.

When considering medical transcription as a career choice, it’s also important to have a good memory. Sometimes you need to be able to remember what was said after hearing it only once, while you are in the middle of transcribing. Knowledge and experience transcribing for another company is also a great asset. If you have done any work in the four basic types associated with medical dictation and transcription then you are a step ahead of the competition. These include History and Physical Exam, Consultation, Operative Report and Discharge Summary work.

Finally, you should be aware of the duties required of someone working in the medical dictation and medical transcription field. One is required to accurately transcribe (type out text from speech) patient identifying information such as names, descriptions, numbers and medical history reports. You are required to be accurate and professional with proper grammar, punctuation and spelling. Transcribers also are required to maintain and reference medical procedures and terminology when required. Normally employers also like to see their transcribers keeping logs of their work and so organizational skills become quite important. Sometimes one may also be required to prepare, assemble, copy or sort and file records and charts for doctors and patients. It is also the responsibility of the medical transcription worker to collect any tapes or files that need transcribing and to distribute any transcriptions that they’ve previously completed. They are also responsible to follow up with any physicians who have missing or late dictation work. Further, some transcribers are required to maintain the computing systems and backups used in transcription, so knowledge of computers is definitely useful, but the lack thereof is not usually a hindrance.

All in all, the medical transcription and medical dictation profession can be a rewarding one, but is also one that is not for those looking for an easy or laid back and stress free job. There are many duties and responsibilities involved and because it is in the medical field, accuracy is paramount.