do they really sit there and type all day
and is it a good major
i can’t type to a normal speed but i can’t type without just looking at the screen i can only type looking at the key board and how much do they make also
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A Transcriptionist will listen to tapes/recordings of doctors and type what they hear. Be aware that there are many foreign doctors with thick accents, and that they are a major source of frustration for transcriptionists.
Yes, they really do sit there and type all day (depending on their schedule).
It may be a good major if you have a fast typing speed.
My ex’s roomie did this – she brought home a dictation recorder and typed out her boss’ ramblings (a forensic psychiatrist). If you’re a very good (fast and accurate) typist and are up to date on medical terminology, you can make some very good coin.
Don’t know if it’s a good major – not a very fulfilling job. It does help pay the bills while you’re in school tho.
"A medical transcriptionist is a skilled typist, excellent at interpreting what they read or hear, and a good grammarian. They also have to have strong familiarity with medical language and terms. Further, medical transcriptionists must be able to take what they hear and edit it, transform it, or make it logical without changing relevant details or medical information."
Becoming a Medical Transcriptionist is a great career move. There are a few main reasons for this:
- You can choose where you work- some people like the idea of working from home in their PJs, other people like the idea of having a job in a hospital setting. Perhaps you want to work part time at both (work at a hospital when the kids are in school and supplement by transcribing at night after the kids are in bed, etc.)
- It is a fast growing field (according to the US Labor Department, employment for Medical Transcriptionists is projected to grow 14% from 2006-2016, which is faster than average for all occupations).
- It pays well- Salary.com (June 2010) shows the average Medical Transcriptionist salary range from $34,751-42,787.
- It requires little in the way of education. So that means, if you are not quite sure what you want to be "when you grow up," it will give you a great job to fall back on.
With that being said, it is a good idea to take a professional course (although it is not strictly required). You will be taught the foundational medical terminology, as well as the proper way to write your reports. Then, you can receive Medical Transcription Certification (CMT) from the AHDI (you must have two years of medical transcription experience in an acute care setting to be able to sit for the exam).
If you need a bit of inspiration, check out this woman’s story on how she went on to become not only a medical transcriptionist, but also went on to start her own Medical Transcriptionist communities here: http://tinyurl.com/medicaltranscriptionist
Yes, generally transcriptionists sit and transcribe all day. You will listen to what the doctor says and type it onto the computer. However, it is different than typing in that you actually will be looking at the screen as you type just as I am right now as I am answering your question.
Most transcriptionists who are employees are paid by the hour usually. The ones who work on their own I believe are paid by the line although it could be by the word, a word being so many key strokes. I’ve only worked as an employee so I forget what the self employed transcriptionists get paid.
Before you begin training research the need in your local area. In some areas there is a need. However, some doctors are now usually voice recognition software or electronic medical records and so don’t need transcriptionists. Or they are sending their work overseas as it is less expensive and with the time difference the doctor can finish dictating at 5 pm and have the reports on his/her desk the next morning ready to be signed.
Also, if there are jobs available, find out which schools the employers prefer. Some employers won’t hire graduates of certain programs, especially if there is no externship involved, although that does not guarantee they will hire you either if they don’t like the school.