Medical Transcription?

[YourLeftHand]

So I was looking at my local college for some coursework I could take that would further help me in my goals related to the business. I came across a certificate program for Medical Transcription - it's about 19 credits and mainly all online courses. There are also some online MT programs out there that would end up costing roughly the same, and some are a lot more than the college program. I'm thinking this might be a nice thing to add to my list of services....obviously, it's a big investment of time AND money.

Any of you out there doing MT?

I actually worked at a MT office 14-15 years ago, not doing that but I was the clerical person in the office and picked up a lot of knowledge. I have worked at a hospital for 13.5 years and am good with med terms, and have great typing speed/accuracy. My mom was a MT for many, many years too.

I'm just not sure if I want to invest the 2k or more that it would take to be properly trained. My thought is that this is still a pretty big growing field and lots of people are getting close to retiring. It would be nice to have this as a backup, at least I think anyway!

I would look forward to anyone's feedback!!!

[vainparadise]

Kari from what I have seen there is a market for VAs with Medical Transcription. I worked in a hospital for over 10 yrs and did consulting work with a physicians office as well and I know from personal experience that good transcriptionists are hard to come by. I think that if it is something that is of interest to you then go for it. You already are a step ahead with having some medical terminology under your belt. That is a big plus!

[LoriLee]

Hi Kari,
When I was the branch manager of a staffing firm we had doctors and hospitals looking for good transciptionist. My opinion would be to move more in that direction. I think you'd get a lot of clients.

Good Luck!
LoriLee

[Vicky]

Kari,

Do you need to go down the certification route as a Medical Transcriptionist? It seems to me that you have speed/accuracy required for transcription work along with a knowledge of medical terminology so why not advertise as is and see if you get any VA work with what you have before spending so much money on certifications that you may not need.

[YourLeftHand]

Hmmm, Vicky....you've got me thinking. If I could buy some transcription CD's (practice dictations) and a foot pedal, that could give me a good start....even that will put me back a few hundred bucks.

But my main concern would be how marketable I would be if I can't advertise that I had actual MT training. I wonder how well "self-taught" MT's do in landing clients.

It is definitely something to think about though - if I could get all the resources I would need and do stuff on my own. I just don't know - but thanks for suggesting it.

[VirtualExecAsst]

Kari,
Sometime last year, I bought a practice dictation book from my local Borders bookstore. It's called:
"Machine Transcription and Dictation". 5th edition. The author is Mitsy Ballentine. It has a practice CD.
I chose not to go the foot pedal route. You can program some hot keys and do just as well. That's my thoughts on the subject. :-)))

-Alice

[webmss]

Medical transcription work pays a lot and there is a lot of work. However, it is extremely difficult to find physicians that are willing to allow the work to leave their offices. Most MT work is very private and the doctors do not want just anyone to access it. Plus there is the insurance issue and the possibility of the private paperwork and tapes lost in a fire when it was supposed to be at the doctor's office.

Cindy Freland
Maryland Secretarial Services, Inc.
www.webmss.com
"We meet your deadlines...not ours!"

[webmss]

Oh, I just thought about something else to add to this post. When I was searching for MT work, I found a great website at www.mtjobs.com. They list work and the specifications for each company. Good luck!!

Cindy Freland
Maryland Secretarial Services, Inc.
www.webmss.com
"We meet your deadlines...not ours!"

[Virtually Dee]

About ten years ago, I worked part-time as a medical transcriptionist for ENT and psychiatric doctors. I'd like to begin transcription work again, but most job listings want lots of experience, and the 10-year gap makes it more difficult for me to get started.

[Offsite Office Professionals]

A couple of our doctors use transcriptionists who work from home. The dictation and transcription is done through a secure server via the Internet. Some large transcription services set up home offices for their transcribers. The main thing to remember when doing this type of work at home is privacy of the health information. There are some pretty strict rules for the home office for this type of work.

[CardinalPointVA]

As a former nurse with a paralegal certificate, I've spent 30+ years working in the legal field and have utilized my medical background heavily. Unfortunately, much medical transcription work is being sent overseas. I say unfortunately for 2 reasons. As I review medical records for attorneys I am amazed at the poor quality of the transcription work and the fact that obviously the doctor is not rereading these reports before they are signed or filed. Basic English grammar is often lacking and whole sentences make no sense at all. Secondly, I worry about the lack of privacy once the records leave US borders. We truly have no way of enforcing HIPPA overseas.

Having said that, if you are interested in doing this I'd invest my money in a foot pedal ($75) and a copy of Stedman's Medical Spelling software and get on with it. Look online for material to practice on. If you want a specific type of training materials, check on eBay first --- or look on Craig's List in a Metropolitan area. You'd be amazed what you can find.

It's a hard field to break into. I'd talk to local doctors/medical groups in person first. Once you get your first client it's easier as you have a reference and a referral source.

Good luck.

[webmss]

You can search for medical transcription online at www.mtjobs.com. There are a lot of companies and it is a long process but there might be some work there. Be sure you read the instructions.

Cindy Freland
Maryland Secretarial Services, Inc.
www.webmss.com

[Amanda Dufries]

Hi, Kari! I am currently providing medical transcription services and have been a medical transcriptionist for 11 years. I agree that experience is a big factor in MT. However, I think it would be worth the investment to take classes and become certified. If you have experience in a particular field, i.e. pulmonology, it will not help you obtain clients in other fields. To acquire clients in all fields of medicine, your best bet would be to invest in classes/certification. Some practices are willing to train you and are patient while you learn specific field terminology, but not all. Hope this helps! Feel free to PM me any time you have questions, etc. Have a blessed day!

[CardinalPointVA]

Amanda:

I agree with you. I think because I came in from the legal side it was easier for me. However, as with any VA work, education is the key to professionalism and I encourage folks to look into certification. As I indicated in my prior message, I have many concerns over the level of medical transcription work I am seeing. Not only am I concerned over the poor work product, I'm also concerned about the impact this poor transcription might wel have on medical treatment. If a review of prior medical record yields incorrect information, the practitioners currently treating the patient may well make a serious mistake.

[Amanda, my favorite Aunt was an "Amanda" and I love the name. Seldom heard these days.]

[anjwilli]

My VA partner does medical transcription. She does not have a certification but has been doing this for government agencies and private sector for years. I had considered doing it as well.

I was able to find a USB footpedal on EBay a few months ago for $15! You may want to check that out as well.

Good luck!