Become a Medical Transcriptionist
Medical transcription is a highly lucrative career for anyone who has an interest in medicine and wants to play a part in the entire medical process. A medical transcriber is essentially the person who converts patient’s medical records into computer form, from handwritten form. They are used extensively because handwritten records can be heavily prone to misinterpretation by healthcare providers.
As of the 1990s, medical transcribers have collectively been known as Medical Language Specialists or Health Information Management Paraprofessional.
The Concept
As was stated above, medical transcribers convert patients records into the computer. There are literally millions of patient’s records that have to be converted on a regular basis, so it is a career that keeps on going, even this far into our current digital age.
As a medical transcriber, you would work for a third-party company that is contracted to put the information into computer form. Obviously, dealing with medical records mean that you have to be reliable and trustworthy, and a criminal records check should not be out of the question in this case. If you have a love of medicine, don’t want to go through the process of becoming a doctor, but want to be part of the medical industry, then becoming a medical transcriber may be the thing for you. Working as a medical transcriber will give you the ability to master your skills in medical terminology and editing. As well, you need the ability to listen and type simultaneously, while using the transcriber machine for playback. It is truly a multitask job.
Startup Costs
Currently, no formal education is required to be a medical transcriber. However, to get hired as one it is very important that you go through some sort of distance learning, college program, or on-the-job training in hospitals. Start up costs if you go through training will be a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, but if you simply want to apply because you have good typing skills, then you won’t have to worry about any startup costs at all. If you are thinking of starting your own company of medical transcribers, then you need to have the training, otherwise you will be passed over.
How to Market It
If you get into the career, all you have to do is apply. However, if you start a business in this, the best place to market yourself is through medical clinics and hospitals. Try and network with doctors and nurses in an effort to establish relationships that will help foster your business in the future. This is the key for starting a business as a medical transcriber. Unlike many jobs where you can simply go and put an ad in the newspaper, this is not the case with medical transcribers. You have to make sure you market yourself, probably at a discounted rate, to the medical professionals in your area. Do not think you can get away with just introducing yourself though. You should attend conferences and trade shows in an effort to establish connections beyond your local area.
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