For years before telecommuting became a buzz word, medical transcription was taking place in homes all across the country. It remains an excellent option for the primarily female workforce. Women who want to be able to contribute to family finances or support their family while having the flexibility of working at home will find medical transcription challenging but rewarding, but choosing the right transcription school is absolutely essential.
What is medical transcription?
Medical transcriptionists listen to recorded dictation from healthcare providers who are documenting patient records. It is very similar to taking dictation for any other profession, but requires a highly specialized knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, laboratory values, and pharmacology. There are special style requirements for medical documents; some requirements are set by the clinic or hospital, other requirements are specified by the Joint Commission on Healthcare Organizations. The style guide for medical transcription also based on the American Medical Associations’ Manual of Style, with some exceptions. However, the most important aspect of the job is that the records are used to make decisions regarding patient care; accuracy is imperative.
Getting an education
Twenty years ago, most medical transcriptionists were trained on the job. Now, however, a good education is absolutely essential. It’s very difficult to get your first job, and nearly impossible if you haven’t gone to the “right” school. Entrants find themselves in a classic “catch-22,” needing experience to get a job and unable to get it. It’s very expensive to train new transcriptionists and very few employers have the resources for it.
A thorough education through the right transcription schools can help immensely in launching a successful medical transcription career. Many schools maintain agreements with employers and/or have job placement services for graduates.
The transcription school you choose should have:
- A curriculum developed by credentialed and experienced instructors.
- Instructors who are credentialed, experienced or both.
- At least 30 hours of real practice dictation tapes, not tapes recorded in a studio.
- A basic curriculum that includes English language, grammar and usage; medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology; elements of style; privacy and security; technology.
- A commitment to participating in the transcription education community, visibility at meetings, supporting ongoing education, education standards, transparency and relationships with industry leaders.
The last thing you want is to spend money to get an education, only to find you can’t get a job. Careful attention to what makes a good medical transcription course will lead you to the best transcription schools and a successful start to your at-home career.
