Work From Home as a Medical Transcriptionist
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Work From Home Medical Transcription
If you’re interested in a healthcare career, then medical transcription, also known as healthcare documentation, can be a very rewarding one. It’s also one that can be done from home while making a decent salary.
However, unlike many general transcription jobs, medical transcription isn’t something you can just sign up for and start working at. It requires special education and training.
What is Medical Transcription?
Medical transcription is the act of listening to voice recordings of doctors, physician assistants, or other medical professionals and typing what is said into written reports for patient files.
Medical transcriptionists also interpret and transcribe dictation from various medical reports such as notes taken during examinations, discharge summaries, and pre-operative and post-operative reports, in addition to editing grammatical errors.
Many times, these reports contain medical abbreviations, and they must be translated into the appropriate wording. Therefore, medical transcriptionists need special training. They must know medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and other medical information. They also need to be familiar with Electronic Health Record systems.
Required Training and Education
You’ll need to have a high school diploma or GED. You must also complete a certified medical transcription program. You’ll also need to get medical transcriptionist certifications. These include Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT), and Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT).
Where to Get Training
Many technical schools and community colleges offer medical transcription programs; however, there are several online programs as well. Training can take anywhere from one to two years, and the costs vary.
Online training usually costs between $2000 and $5000. If you’re opting for online training, be sure to do your research to make sure the program is accredited.
Also, the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) has a listing of schools that offer medical transcription training.
Equipment Needed
Medical transcriptionists will need the same equipment that is required for general transcription.
This includes a private workspace, an updated computer, high-speed internet service, a noise-canceling headset, and a foot pedal.
How Much Does It Pay?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2017 the median income for a medical transcriptionist was $35,250 however, according to ZipRecruiter the national average is $53,896.
Where to Find Work as a Beginner
After you graduate, you may need to work on-site for your first employer for at least one year in order to gain the experience needed before working from home. This is because most companies that hire remote medical transcriptionists will require at least one year of experience.
Use your school’s job resources. Most schools have job resources in which they have continuing relationships with different companies. By using your school’s job resources, you’ll be able to get a list of potential employers, the jobs they are hiring for, and contact information.
Be sure to ask your school about job placement. Most schools have a job placement department that can help you with things like resume writing and interview coaching.
Companies That Hire Remote Medical Transcriptionists
This company hires medical transcriptionists with at least three years’ experience.
They prefer at least two years’ of experience, however, they will consider beginners who have recently graduated.
This company hires medical transcriptionists as independent contractors, so you can set your own hours.
They require at least one year of experience.
This company requires a minimum of two years’ experience and they are independent contractor positions.
They hire both full-time and part-time medical transcriptionists and require over one year of experience.
They hire both full-time and part-time remote medical transcriptionists. They require at least one year of experience.
This company hires remote medical transcriptionists. They prefer experience, however, they don’t state how much.
They hire medical transcriptionists as independent contractors. They hire recent graduates with no experience.
Where to Find More Remote Medical Transcription Jobs
If you’re looking for more remote jobs doing medical transcription, MTStars is a community support board specifically for medical transcription. They frequently have jobs posted or information on who’s hiring.
Also, AHDI has a career section on its website.