How to Work as a Transcription Typist

Consider a temp assignment to get your foot in the door.

If you have excellent typing skills and a good ear for detail, you might want to consider working as a transcription typist. Transcription typists take recordings of meeting minutes, medical notes and business communication and transcribe them to create usable documents. As a transcription typist, you need to be able to type fast, and you need to be able to work independently. You also need to know where to find the best opportunities in this business niche.

Instructions

1. Hone your typing skills as much as possible before you start your job search. In many cases you will have to take a typing test, and you might not be considered for the job unless your typing skills are top-notch.

2. Contact the hospitals and medical offices in your area and ask about any transcription jobs they have available. Often, medical offices need excellent typists who can transcribe medical notes and instructions from the doctors. It helps to have a strong command of medical terminology if you plan to work in this field.

3. Sign up with several contract and temporary employment agencies. These agencies often get requests for transcription typists, and even a short-term contract or temporary position could eventually lead to full-time employment. Check back often with each agency you sign up with to see if there are any opportunities to use your skills.

4. Search online job boards for transcription typing opportunities. If you have Internet access and your own computer, you might be able to do transcription work for individuals and companies around the world. Just read each job posting carefully and assess the amount of work it will take to complete the job. Many freelance sites work on a bidding process, with each would-be transcriptionist submitting a bid to do the work.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Medical Transcription
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook