Medical transcriptionists (or health documentation specialists) listen to recorded dictation from doctors and translate it into written reports. This is a flexible job that offers the ability to work in a structured office context or from home. There are no formal requirements to become a medical transcriptionist, beyond having a high school diploma. However, post-high school education and certified training can make you a more competitive job candidate. Read on to learn how to become a medical transcriptionist in the United States.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Complete Your Education and Training
Step 1. Obtain a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma
This is the only formal requirement to be a medical transcriptionist. If you are an adult and do not have a high school diploma, you can take the exam for a general equivalency diploma.
- Most states require you to be at least 16 years old before taking such an exam.
- You can take the general equivalency exam without attending classes first, but it can be useful since you can review the material before taking the evaluation. There are many resources available online, and virtually every city offers preparatory classes.
Step 2. Evaluate your typing speed
As a medical transcriptionist, you will have to spend most of your time listening to the dictates of doctors and transcribing that information in written form. Therefore, it is important that you have a good typing speed when transcribing. However, you don't have to be the fastest in the world. 45 words per minute is a speed that will allow you to transcribe quickly and accurately.
- You can evaluate your typing speed on many websites.
- If you type very slowly, consider taking an online typing course to improve your speed.
Step 3. Obtain an Associate Degree or Certificate of Medical Transcription
You don't need more than a high school diploma to become a medical transcriptionist. However, more advanced academic training in the sector will help you learn the medical terminology that will be part of your job. It will also allow you to have an advantage over the rest in the job market.
The Health Documentation Integrity Association has a list of certified medical transcription programs
Step 4. Choose your credentials
This step is not necessary, but obtaining a credential will give you an advantage in the job market. There are two certifications available: Registered Health Documentation Specialist (RHDS) and Certified Health Documentation Specialist (CHDS). The RHDS certification is available to medical transcriptionists just entering the profession. To obtain the CHDS certification, it is necessary to have two years of experience.
Both certifications are offered through the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI)
Step 5. Take the exam
The RHDS and CHDS certification exams are offered at various centers in the United States. You can also do them online.
- The RHDS exam tests your basic knowledge of medical terminology, as well as your English language skills, including grammar and punctuation. The CHDS exam assesses more advanced knowledge of medical terminology, as well as your ability to use professional reference materials.
- AHDI offers preparation materials on its website.
Part 2 of 2: Choosing the Work Context
Step 1. Work in a doctor's office
Hospitals, clinics, and doctor's offices hire medical transcriptionists to work at their facilities. The best way to find openings is to make a list of area hospitals and doctors' offices to contact by phone. You can also turn to job search websites like Craigslist and Monster.com.
- If you work in a doctor's office, you may have other administrative tasks to do, such as scheduling appointments and answering phone calls.
- Be professional when communicating with medical offices. For example, you can say: "I am a registered specialist in health documentation and I want to offer my services for your practice."
Step 2. You work in a transcription service office
These services are performed at other sites outside of hospitals and doctor's offices. They tend to provide a more traditional office atmosphere, where you will work in a cubicle surrounded by other medical transcriptionists. If you like the structure of a nine-to-five job, working for a transcription service might be the best option for you.
- This requires you to work a specific schedule every day.
- You can find transcription service agency jobs on sites like Craigslist, Monster.com, and Indeed.com.
Step 3. Work from home
One of the benefits of being a medical transcriptionist is that many hospitals and doctors will allow you to work from home. This option will provide you with greater flexibility, since you can choose the work schedule that is convenient for you.
- Working from home requires buying your own equipment. You will need a good computer with internet access, a foot pedal and a transcription program, and a place to work.
- The pedals let you start and stop recordings while you transcribe without having to take your hands off the keyboard. You can buy them along with their corresponding programs from online stores like Amazon.com or get them from stores like OfficeMax.
- If your goal is to work from home, be sure to specify this when contacting medical offices. For example, you can say "I am a medical transcriptionist who works from home and I am looking to add you to my client list."
Step 4. Apply for a job
Whether you work in a doctor's office, a transcription services agency, or from home, you will need to apply for a job. Most employers will request a copy of your resume and proof of your training or certification.
- Make your resume more interesting to employers by emphasizing the transcription-related skills you've adopted through previous jobs.
- If asked how your previous experience relates to working as a medical transcriptionist, you can say, “I have worked in customer service in the past, where I have spent most of my time listening to people and writing notes on the computer. This job has prepared me for the multiple tasks required of a medical transcriptionist. "