Electronic databases have made medical record keeping more organized and efficient.
The complexity and volume of required health-care documentation has overloaded physicians, who need more medical data recorded than they have the time to record. As a result, medical transcribers are hired to use cutting-edge technology and old-fashioned editing skills to transcribe and move medical data into electronic databases. The demand for this work will only continue to grow as the Baby Boomers continue to age.
Function
Medical transcribers are responsible for listening to medical information dictated and recorded by doctors, and typing his words into reports, which are then archived in electronic databases. These draft reports are then returned to physicians where they are approved or corrected. As transcribers become more experienced, they are able to spot more mistakes in transcription, which speeds along the medical transcribing process. Many hospitals are now streamlining transcriptions using voice recognition software. The transcriber is responsible for reviewing these transcriptions for accuracy and formatting these transcriptions.
Education
Vocational schools, community colleges and distance-learning programs train transcribers for 1 to 2 years before they receive a certification from the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity. Medical transcribers are taught medical terminology in order to be able to understand the dictations of the physicians. These transcribers must also be aware of standards regarding how medical information is transcribed. They need excellent grammar and spelling abilities, a proficiency with word processing technology and good hearing.
Conditions
Some transcribers work in clinics, but more and more medical transcriptionists are finding work online, where they can work from home and send transcribed information back to hospital databases. Those who work in clinics enjoy clean and comfortable offices. Transcribers spend a lot of time sitting, staring at monitors and performing repetitive actions. These actions can lead to injuries like eye strain, carpal tunnel syndrome and lower back strain. These transcribers usually work 40 hours a week.
Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 105,200 transcribers held work in 2008. The need for medical transcribers is expected to grow by 11 percent between 2008 and 2018. However, the need for transcribers is somewhat reduced by voice recognition software that allows more rapid transcription. As voice recognition software becomes more accurate, fewer mistakes will increase the speed in which information can be transcribed. However, advancements in voice recognition software have been slow.
Earnings
The BLS reports that the median hourly earnings for medical transcribers was $15.41. The upper 10 percent of medical transcribers earned $21.81 or more, while the lower 10 percent of medical transcribers earned $10.76. The highest-paid medical transcribers were employed at diagnostic libraries, medical and surgical hospitals. The lowest-paid transcribers were employed at private businesses and physician's offices.
Tags: medical transcribers, recognition software, voice recognition, voice recognition software, information transcribed