Ready for a career in medical transcription? Now's a great time! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical transcriptionists is projected to grow 14 percent from 2006 to 2016 - that's faster than the average for all occupations! Prepare now with
online medical transcription training and sharpen these five important medical transcription skills:
ListeningMedical transcriptionists translate oral recordings of doctors and health care professionals into clear patient records. You'll need to concentrate so you don't miss important details. Use your foot pedal to control the pace of the dictation and get a set of noise reducing headphones to improve your listening skills.
Computer Keyboarding You'll transcribe recordings by typing on the computer. Don't worry if your typing skills need a boost. Enroll in an online medical keyboarding course, and with a little practice, you can increase your typing speed.
Good GrammarGood grammar is part of transcribing clear patient records. Make sure you have a computer program that assists you with proper punctuation, abbreviations and report styles in your transcription work.
Resource Skills Your medical vocabulary will continually expand with experience. But sometimes, you'll need additional help. Have a medical dictionary by your side and learn how to efficiently search for terminology and important medical data. Get a medical dictionary on CD-ROM - it will save you time.
Staying Current on TrendsThe health care industry is experiencing tremendous growth. To accurately type patient records, you'll need to stay on top of new medications and procedures. Join a professional association like
AHDI and receive publications with the latest industry news, network with other transcription professionals and attend key conferences.
These skills will help you succeed as a medical transcription professional. And if you feel like your lacking in an area or two, don't worry! The good news is that each of these skills can improve with practice and experience.
By Danielle Macklin,
Allied Medical SchoolLabels: Medical Transcription Skills
