How to Type Medical Records at Home
Medical transcriptionists listen to medical information, such as discharge summaries, operative reports, consultations and procedures, dictated from a healthcare professional and transcribe that information into an accurate, timely, and permanent medical record. Transcriptionists work in hospitals, at doctors' offices and at home.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Medical reference books
- Ergonomic desk chair
- Desk
- Earphones
- Medical transcription foot pedal
Instructions
-
-
1
Educate yourself. Home medical transcription is a challenging field that requires in-depth knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, pharmacology and grammar, all with an optimum production rate in mind. Online schools like MTEC, Career Step and Andrews prepare students specifically for medical-records jobs at home.
-
2
Create a home office. Performing home medical transcription requires a designated work area. Choose an office space that is away from the main area of your home for maximum privacy in dealing with sensitive patient records and include items such as a desk and ergonomic chair.
-
-
3
Acquire a foot pedal and earphones. As a home transcriptionist you will need a specialty foot pedal to start and stop the file of the dictated medical record and a good pair of earphones to wear when you transcribe. Buy these items at an online store or from your medical transcription school.
-
4
Create a reference library. Research is very important for a home transcriptionist. A good library should include an up-to-date medical drug index, medical abbreviations book and several word books specific to the specialties you transcribe. Online sites, such as Stedmans, provide hundreds of medical transcription books and CDs to aid the home medical record transcriptionist.
-
5
Learn how to use macros. Every medical records home transcriptionist uses macros, or typing shortcuts, to type faster. These "codes" are one of the keys to performing a timely record.
-
6
Study your quality assurance (QA) corrections. As a new medical transcriptionist, you will have most of your reports reviewed by the QA department at your transcription company. You can increase your medical records knowledge and speed by studying these changes and implementing them into your work.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Invest in a high-end ergonomic chair.
Strive to use your mouse as little a possible and familiarize yourself with the function keys on your computer for maximum transcription speed.
Make your macros development a priority. Time spent building an extensive macros library will increase your transcription speed which translates into more money.
Familiarize yourself with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, HIPAA.
If you are an independent contractor medical transcriptionist, comply with laws that detail small businesses.
