Medical Transcriptionists: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Job description

Medical Transcriptionists transcribe medical reports recorded by physicians and other healthcare practitioners using various electronic devices, covering office visits, emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging studies, operations, chart reviews, and final summaries. Transcribe dictated reports and translate abbreviations into fully understandable form. Edit as necessary and return reports in either printed or electronic form for review and signature, or correction.

• Take dictation using shorthand, a stenotype machine, or headsets and transcribing machines.
• Return dictated reports in printed or electronic form for physician’s review, signature, and corrections and for inclusion in patients’ medical records.
• Perform data entry and data retrieval services, providing data for inclusion in medical records and for transmission to physicians.
• Review and edit transcribed reports or dictated material for spelling, grammar, clarity, consistency, and proper medical terminology.

Salary

Medical Transcriptionists with little to no experience tend to make between $21840 and $26410 while the more experienced ones can earn over $43490 per year.

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Medical Transcriptionist is to move to a higher paying state like AK. Right now, the highest paying states for Medical Transcriptionists are AK, NJ, MN, MD and NY.

However, a higher pay at AK doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at AK might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Medical Transcriptionist is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.

Requirements

We asked other Medical Transcriptionists what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Post-Secondary Certificate followed by a College Certificate.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Medical Transcriptionist.

What is the job like

71% of Medical Transcriptionists said they were satisfied with their job and 58% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.

Is this right for me

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

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