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Medical Transcriptionist Careers
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Medical transcriptionists create medical reports and correspondence by listening to recordings that are dictated by doctors and other members of the health care team, and transcribing them into computer format. They are sometimes known as medical stenographers, or medical transcribers.
Typical documents and reports created by medical transcriptionists include patient history and physical examination reports, operating room reports, and autopsy reports. Because of the highly technical information contained in this material, and the need for accuracy, transcribers must be familiar with medical terminology and procedures. They will frequently use printed and electronic reference materials to ensure accuracy.
In some cases, a transcriptionist may notice what appears to be incorrect information in the material being transcribed. In these cases, he or she will check back with the dictating physician to verify the material. This verification and correction procedure helps to ensure the accuracy of patient records, and can prevent mistakes in treatment.
Once a document has been completely transcribed, it is returned to the healthcare professional that dictated it, where it is reviewed, and if no corrections are needed, placed into the patient's permanent file.
Most medical transcriptionists work in hospitals or clinics, although a growing number are working from home, or at centralized offices serving many doctors. They may be employees of the facility or work for subcontractors. If employed in a clinic, transcribers may perform additional administrative work, such as insurance coding and billing, or scheduling appointments. A standard 40 hour workweek is typical, although self-employed transcriptionists may work unusual hours.
Technology Trends in Medical Transcription
Two technological trends are shaping the way medical transcriptionists work. The improved ability of speech recognition software is allowing some of the transcription process to be conducted by the computer itself. This is especially true in some medical specialties, such as radiology and pathology, where the report content tends to be fairly standard. Once the computer translates the material, the draft is reviewed and corrected by the medical stenographer, who sends it on for final approval. As speech recognition becomes more reliable, this trend is expected to continue.
The Internet is also making its presence felt in the field. By sending both dictation and transcribed material over the Internet, some transcriptionists are able to work from home, or away from the doctor's medical facility. This can reduce the time needed to process dictated material. As high speed Internet service becomes more widespread, and security and privacy concerns are resolved, offsite transcription is expected to be more widespread.
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