Medical Transcriptionist

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Work Tasks

• Write (transcribe) medical letters and reports so they are easy to understand
• Rewrite what doctors say, patient histories, progress reports, and other medical reports
• Correct grammar and spelling on the reports
• Listen to recorded medical information and type it
• Work in offices or their homes for themselves, hospitals, physician's offices, outpatient medical care facilities, and for temporary office help services
• Work with transcribing machines, audio recordings, earphones, computers, typewriters, and reference materials

Salary, Size & Growth

• $35,500 average per year ($17.00 per hour)
• A medium occupation (78,800 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.1% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: Training in typing medical documents from a record
• Employers Prefer: A 2-year degree in medical transcription
• Skills/Courses: College courses include anatomy, medical terminology, medical-legal issues, English grammar and punctuation, computer applications, business communications, and keyboarding.
• Certification/Licensing: Certification is available after passing several tests.