Medical Transcription: Fact or Fiction?

Over the years I’ve gotten a lot of questions from readers about Medical Transcription. It usually goes something like this:

“I’ve heard that you can become a medical transcriptionist from home. How do I find a job in this field?”

While it’s true that there are certainly jobs available, it’s also true that Medical Transcription is a detailed, professional (and fascinating) career which requires technical knowledge. Additionally, to be qualified to work from home as an MT you’ve got to have at least 2 years of experience- sometimes more.

It’s important to note that transcription requires a person who is meticulously detail-oriented. The nature of the work is such that it might seem tedious, even excruciatingly boring to some people. It’s much more than just typing, you’ve got to be intimately familiar with medical terminology; as Margery Hinman writes, “a good Transcriptionist knows the difference between aphasia and aphagia” (I certainly don’t).

Interested in learning more? Check out the AHDI and MTStars. MTStars is a wonderful resource for MT’s with job listings and over 9,000 members that you can network with.