Medical Trascription Field?

[sistagrl2004]

Does anyone have knowledge of this field? Does it pay well? Is it fading away due to technology?

 

[blodthecat]

Hi,

I work in the UK, and the answer to your question is NO!

We have a lot of doctors from abroad, and ''voice recognition'' just doesn''t work. It is also very time consuming for the doctors too.

In the UK, medical transcription is still a very good, well paid job.

I assume you are in the US.... Is this something you are thinking of going into?

blod

 

[sistagrl2004]

I was thinking of possibly a second job type thing. Since You can do it from home potentially I thought it was something I could do without leaving home.

 

[diamondlil]

Hi Sistargrl.

I''ve been a medical transcriptionist for 16 years!!!

I live in the US, and although there is threat of outsourcing US medical records to foreign countries for transcription, I don''t see this profession fading away in my working future. Over the years, a couple of my docs have tried *voice recognition* but, frankly, unless you are a clear, English-speaking, thought-organized dictator, it will not work. I don''t know of many doctors that could even fit that criteria. I don''t personally know of any doctors that have stuck with that method -- Yay for me!

There is so much I could say about this profession. It is MUCH harder to get into the field now than it was when I started in 1990. I began with a small *mom-and-pop* company than trained me. It was VERY slow going at first. Picking up medical terminology (dictated by mostly foreign docs) is extremely difficult if you don''t have a medical background. Fortunately for me, that small company trained me in every medical speciality you can imagine. They required all their transcriptionists to know and work on everything from dermatology, otolaryngology, gynecology, surgery, internal medicine, psychiatry, etc., etc.

I stayed with that *mom-and-pop* company for 10 years and only decided to change companies when I moved in late 1999. I found my current employer through a friend who is also in the business. With my experience/background, they literally hired me over the phone. Unfortunately, that is not typical.

In the early days my work was dictated on small cassette tapes and transcribed using a Dictaphone machine and my computer. I worked on a 24-hour-turnaround schedule (as I do now), and was required to print my work on the appropriate forms/letterhead/paper associated with the specialty I was assigned that day. I picked up and dropped off my work and tapes every single day so there was the need to be within a short driving distance.

Times have significantly changed since then, and all my work is dictated, transcribed, and sent electronically over the Internet. I litterally never leave my house for work and rarely speak to anyone from my office. I have my own accounts that I am required to maintain on a 24-hour-turnaround schedule.

This field requires a great deal of self-discipline. It''s a wonderful job for someone who is self-motivated and conscientious. For me personally, I''m up at 5:00 a.m. everyday when everyone else in my house is sound asleep. I know roughly how much my docs dictate in a day, and in order for me to keep my accounts current and maintain my home responsibilities and children, that''s what I have to do. Although I generally only work 25 to 30 hours per week, I''m sure there are many that work less and many that work more. Sometimes I must work more to stay current, but sometimes there is less. It''s like being on call 24/7.

The pay is reasonable if you consider everything. I''m home with my kids everyday. If they are sick, I''m here to take care of them (still working though). The job allows me to volunteer quite a bit too and socialize with many at-home mommies in my community. My schedule is flexible enough that I can work my own schedule (as long as the work gets done in 24 hours, it''s not an issue when you work). I have no office politics to deal with, and I don''t have to look nice (since I''m up at 5 a.m. I''m still in my jammies and slippers!). I am paid by the line (based on 65 characters per line), so the goal is to be as efficient and accurate as humanly possible. The rate of pay goes up based on experience and productivity. I type over 100 wpm and try to keep my hands moving at all times. If I have to stop to pull out a reference book, the clock has basically stopped. That''s why terminology is so crucial.

Also, since I get paid based on my productivity, there are no benefits. I get no paid vacation and no sick leave. Maybe there are placed out there that work differently, but I don''t know of any. It''s basically piece work. When I get sick (as I was a lot this winter), I sit at my computer wrapped in my blanket with my tea and Kleenex and I still work.

It''s okay to call the office for backup on occasion, but if you do that often, you certainly won''t be assigned the lucrative accounts.

I am also not an employee of the transcription company I work through. They subcontract the work to me so I am self-employed and have my own business. There are pluses and minuses there too. Lastly, I don''t know if it is humanly possible to work a 40-hour week at this job. It''s painful to work at a fast pace for more than a couple of hours at a time before taking a break. When you break for a phone call or to stretch your legs/arms, you are not getting paid. That''s why I work in several 1 to 2-hour blocks throughout the day. It''s a whole lot different than working in an office where you can take breaks here and there, get paid for your time chatting with an officemate, or posting a quick response at PS.

I hope this helps a bit, Sistargrl. I''d be happy to answer further questions if you have any.

Blodthecat, how long have you been in the business? I''d love to hear if your experience in the profession is similar to mine.