Careers in Medical Transcription & Salaries
Medical transcriptionists are important members of the health care community. They transcribe recordings made by medical professionals--such as physicians, surgeons and other specialists--using sophisticated dictation equipment. They convert the information into appropriate formats for medical records, reports, correspondence and other files. The U.S. Department of Labor expects demand for certified medical transcriptionists to remain high through 2018.
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Function
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Medical transcriptionists transcribe dictated recordings into a word processing computer program where the information can be manipulated into a variety of formats, such as medical records, discharge orders, referral letters, diagnostic reports and many others. A comprehensive understanding of medical terminology and jargon is essential because accuracy is of the utmost importance for members of this profession.
Training
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Formal training programs for medical transcriptionists are offered by many local community colleges, technical schools and online or distance learning institutions, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). One-year programs typically lead to a certificate of completion, while two-year programs may lead to an associate's degree. The BLS notes that most employers prefer to hire candidates who have formal training.
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Employment Types
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Hospitals employed approximately 36 percent of all medical transcriptionists in the United States as of May 2008, according to the BLS. Another 23 percent worked in doctors' offices. The rest were employed by other health care organizations, such as outpatient care facilities, medical laboratories and physical therapist offices. Some medical transcriptionists are self-employed and contract out their services. They may telecommute or work from home through computer-based communication technologies.
Income
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The income for medical transcriptionists as of May 2009 ranged from less than $22,430 to more than $45,700, with a mean annual wage of $33,350, according to the BLS. Transcriptionists working for medical and diagnostic laboratories had the highest mean salary at $38,680 per year. Those working in the state of Massachusetts earned the highest wages with a mean annual salary of $42,880.
Time Frame
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Experience plays a significant role in determining a medical transcriptionist's pay rate according to PayScale.com. As of November 2010, those just starting out in the field could expect to earn between $9.62 and $13.76 per hour. Medical transcriptionists with more than five years on the job may average up to $15.90 per hour. Those with more than 20 years experience averaged earnings between $14.43 and $18.46 per hour.
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References
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