Medical Transcription?

[CardinalPointVA]

I've used ExpressScribe for years and it does a great job. In 10 years I think I've only had one video transcription and I just recorded that off onto my digital recorder and transcribed it like normal. I too have 2 regular transcribers (from my old days) but seldom need them these days. Digital is so much better and easier.

[AWVBM]

I did medical transcription many years ago for a short time. I think I agree that with a good medical speller it wouldn't be too hard, but there is the HIPAA issue which wasn't around back then. Also, without current references doctors may not be as willing to let the work out. Still, I think I'll look into it myself as a possible service to offer. Thanks.

[dedee51]

Hi, I'm new to this forum but not new to medical transcription. I had a successful transcription business for 8 years until the field got flooded and the wages went down and then along comes VR and sending the work overseas and I am now making about half of what I used to make and work is scarce. I would not recommend anyone get into medical transcription as a full time job these days. As an additional service for a VA business, yes, if you already are proficient in medical terminology but not to count on for a living. I am now back in school for legal and looking to reopen my business which started out as services for all types of business but I was good at MT and the referrals were coming in so fast and furious I gave up all the rest. Now I wish I hadn't. Just my humble opinion.

Dee

[theotheroffice]

I got mine from Penn Foster about a year and a half ago. I have done lots of transcription job since then, but none of them medical. I do believe that having it on my resume is a great help in getting new clients however.

[Becky]

I recently took a medical transcription program through a local college and worked 187 hours doing an unpaid internship at a hospital. The internship taught me things I could never have learned through the school. What I am finding out now is that most places require 2 to 5 years experience before they will hire. It seems to be a very tough field to get into.

[theotheroffice]

I agree with Becky. There's a catch-22 to getting your final AHIMA certification too. Once you finish school you still have to log a certain number of hours to get your final certification. Everyone wants you to have it already so it's hard to get someone to let you log hours in order to gain your certification.

[dedee51]

I've been a medical transcriptionist for 17 years and never heard of AHIMA certification? What is it. Yes, this is definitely a hard field to get into and with National MT services either buying out or pushing out the smaller services it will get harder and harder to get experience.

[Becky]

Mine is simply a certificate in medical transcription.

[The Perfect Word]

I have a friend who was a nurse years ago. She has done medical transcription from home for many years now and although she keeps her nursing license current, she does not have any other certifications.

[bridiej]

I must admit I've been wondering if it is worth the investment to get certified. I've done a lot of medical market research work which involves terminology, drug names etc. Would this be enough to allow me to offer services as an MT?

[SpireOfficeServices]

Good question bridiej. I'm considering medical transcription as well but I'm, getting mixed reviews, still not sure if its worth the investment.

[bridiej]

TBH I don't see why it should necessarily be too difficult to just offer it and see how it goes. Yes, there is a lot of terminology etc. to learn but I've learnt on the job for the medical market research.... it's a tough one!!!

[Business-Bytes]

I must admit I've been wondering if it is worth the investment to get certified. I've done a lot of medical market research work which involves terminology, drug names etc. Would this be enough to allow me to offer services as an MT?

TBH I don't see why it should necessarily be too difficult to just offer it and see how it goes. Yes, there is a lot of terminology etc. to learn but I've learnt on the job for the medical market research.... it's a tough one!!!

In my opinion, no. Research is totally different. There are too many sound-a-like drugs (and diseases), drug dosages, mumbling doctors, foreign doctors, what abbreviations are allowed and which ones are on the 'do not use' list, incorrect terms used by doctors, how numbers are to be formatted, not to mention the formatting that each report needs to be in for a H&P, consultation report, operative report, discharge summary, progress note, SOAP notes, etc., etc., etc. (I just touched on the tip of the iceberg here )

One has to remember that they have a patient's life in their hands...the wrong drug or dosage in a report, or anything else that is misunderstood, can be detrimental to a patient, so unless one gets MT training at a GOOD school, I wouldn't want to tackle this. And, the cost of this education does mean a quality education - there are many offering MT training, but not all are created equal. I attended MTEC and have got to say that I got my money's worth, but NO way would I offer Medical Transcription as a service. (I didn't finish, but ended up pursuing being a VA instead - and am so happy I did!)

The two certifications for MT are RMT and CMT. See AHDI for more info.

HTH a bit,

[Zjudra Advanced]

This exactly the information I needed to know. I am currently studying medical transcription to add it to my services. Thanks for the information.