Medical Transcriptionist –
What it’s all About

A Medical Transcriptionist (MT) is a person who transcribes dictated recordings into medical reports. These dictated recordings can also be transcribed into other administrative material such a correspondence. The recordings a medical transcriptionist copies down in words are made by health care professionals such as a physician.

Skilled transcriptionists know how to accurately transcribe the evaluation of a patient and their treatments. This accuracy reduces the possibility of patients receiving useless or potentially harmful treatments. An MT is also required to obey all legal and ethical requirements. This involves maintaining the confidentiality of patient information.

For the most part, the documents that a MT produces include:

  • History and physical examination reports
  • Discharge summaries
  • Consultation reports
  • Operative reports
  • Diagnostic imagine reports
  • Autopsy reports
  • Progress notes
  • Referral letters

    All documents that have been transcribed are returned to the health care professional for their review, correction, and signature. Eventually the documents transcribed by an MT are included as part of a patients’ permanent file.

    A medical transcriptionist needs to transcribe dictated reports so that they come out clear and concise. These individuals are required to comprehend medical terminology, physiology, anatomy, pharmacology, diagnostic procedures, as well as treatment assessments. An MT must also know how to interpret medical jargon and abbreviations so they can translate them into their standard word forms.

    The vast majority of healthcare providers transmit their dictation recordings to transcriptionsts by using analog or digital dictating equipment.
    This allows them to simply send the dictations via the internet to the MT. Due to this fact, a medical transcriptionist can work in a physician’s office or in the comfort of their own home. The average MT works a standard 40 hour week, but those who are self- employed work sporadic hours.

    Most employers looking to hire a medical transcriptionist prefer an MT to have certain qualifications such as:

  • Successful completion of postsecondary training in medical transcription
  • Successful completion of a one year certificate program or a two year associates degree
  • Understanding of medical terminology
  • Knowledge of English grammar

    On average, a medical transcriptionist makes between $12 and $15 an hour. The amount they make may depend on the number of lines they transcribe or the number of hours they’ve worked. Therefore, when it comes down to it, depending on who employs the MT, dictates the type of payment and benefits they receive.

    If you are interested in becoming a MT, remember that you need to be qualified for this job. If you do not have the qualifications, but are still interested, check out your local community college for information. However, should you meet the requirements; the only question you have left to ask yourself is what employment method would work best for your lifestyle.





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