Medical transcriptionists create written reports by listening to recordings from doctors and other healthcare professionals. They also proofread reports and transcripts generated by speech recognition software programs, and they correct minor errors in those reports. In addition, medical transcriptionists assist in preparing medical histories, recording information into healthcare records, and more.
In this article (and corresponding video), you’ll learn the salary of a medical transcriptions, the job duties, the education requirements, and some of the likes and dislikes of this profession.
Medical Transcriptionist Job Duties
The most common duty of a medical transcriptionist will be to listen to recorded messages and then translate that recording into a written report. However, there are many other duties that a medical transcriptions may perform. Here are some of the common job duties:
- Listen to the recorded dictation of a doctor or other healthcare professional
- Transcribe and interpret the dictation into diagnostic test results, operative reports, referral letters, and other documents
- Review and edit drafts prepared by speech recognition software, making sure that the transcription is correct, complete, and has a consistent style
- Translate medical abbreviations and jargon into the appropriate long form
- Identify inconsistencies, errors, and missing information within a report that could compromise patient care
- Follow up with the healthcare provider to ensure the accuracy of the reports
- Submit health records for physicians to approve
- Follow patient confidentiality guidelines and legal documentation requirements
- Enter medical reports into electronic health records systems
- Perform quality improvement audits
Medical transcriptionists use audio playback equipment or software that is connected to their computer. This equipment often includes a headset and foot pedal, which are used to control the recording playback speed. They use word-processing and other specialized software, as well as medical reference materials, as needed.
Technological advances have changed the way some medical transcription is done. In the past, medical transcriptionists would listen to an entire dictation to produce a transcribed report. While many transcriptionists still perform these traditional transcription services, many are taking on additional roles. Today, many medical documents are prepared with the use of speech recognition technology, in which specialized software automatically prepares an initial draft of a report. The transcriptionist then reviews the draft for accuracy, identifying any errors, and editing the report, when necessary.
To do their work, medical transcriptionists must become familiar with medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology, and treatment assessments. Their ability to understand what the health professional has recorded, correctly transcribe that information, and identify any inaccuracies in the transcript is critical to reducing the chance that patients will get ineffective or even harmful treatments. They are part of the team that ensures high-quality patient care.
Medical Transcriptionist Education Requirements
If you’re interested in this career, you may be wondering, “How can I become a medical transcriptionist?” In most cases, you’ll have to obtain either a certificate or an associate’s degree, depending on state requirements or local employer preferences. Certificate programs generally last about one year, whereas associate degree programs last approximately two years.
Some of the skills you’ll need to excel in this profession include the following:
- Knowledge of common medical terms
- Knowledge of anatomy and physiology
- Excellent grammar and spelling skills
- Good listening skills, as you may have to decipher words through different accents and dialects
- Proficiency with technology such as computers, word-processing software, and even speech recognition software.
Medical Transcriptionist Certifications
Although certification is not required, some medical transcriptionists choose to become certified. The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity offers the Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) and the Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist (CHDS) certifications.
The RHDS certification, formerly known as the Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT), is for recent graduates with less than 2 years of experience and who work in a single specialty environment, such as a clinic or a doctor’s office.
The CHDS certification, formerly known as the Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT), is for transcriptionists who have at least 2 years of experience and those who handle dictation in several medical specialties.
Both certifications require passing an exam and periodic retesting or continuing education. While the RMT and the CMT exams are no longer offered, transcriptionists who hold those certifications may choose to maintain them or to complete a bridge course to earn the RHDS or the CHDS.
Do Medical Transcriptionists Like Their Jobs?
Many medical transcriptionists do report job satisfaction. However, as with any career, there are some likes and dislikes about working in this profession.
Here are some of the likes:
- Independent work environment (many of these individuals enjoy working alone)
- Ability to sometimes work at home
- Job flexibility, especially when working as an independent contractor
- No strenuous physical demands for this job
Here are some of the dislikes:
- Must sit for long hours
- Voice recognition software may increase efficiency, but also may impact future job availability
- Work can feel routine/monotonous
- Some individuals in this profession worry about decreasing job prospects
- There are some work at home scams
- It can be difficult understanding doctors with an accent
Job Outlook for Medical Transcriptionists
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical transcriptionists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations. One concern that some individuals have is that this profession may be decreasing due to technological advances such as voice recognition software, as well as drastic changes in healthcare laws (and the way healthcare reports are recorded).
While this may be true, many medical transcriptionists are adapting and taking on new roles besides just listening to recordings and crafting written reports.
Medical Transcriptionist Average Salary and Income
How much money does the average medical transcriptionist make? What’s the average hourly wage or salary for a medical transcriptionist? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2014, medical transcriptionists earned an average hourly wage of $17.11 and an average salary of $35,580.
These numbers are only averages across the entire United States, and many factors can influence actual earnings, including the state in which you live, the industry in which you work, your experience, your education level, and so forth.
Below are some detailed salary statistics for this profession.
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:
| Employment | Employment RSE | Mean hourly wage | Mean annual wage | Wage RSE |
| 61,210 | 2.5 % | $17.11 | $35,580 | 0.6 % |
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 21,400 | 0.41 | $18.29 | $38,050 |
| Offices of Physicians | 15,920 | 0.65 | $17.04 | $35,440 |
| Business Support Services | 13,350 | 1.51 | $15.48 | $32,200 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | 2,080 | 0.83 | $18.72 | $38,940 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 1,600 | 0.23 | $17.34 | $36,060 |
Top paying industries for this occupation:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | 460 | 0.18 | $19.08 | $39,690 |
| Home Health Care Services | 130 | 0.01 | $18.77 | $39,040 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | 2,080 | 0.83 | $18.72 | $38,940 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 220 | 0.01 | $18.37 | $38,210 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 21,400 | 0.41 | $18.29 | $38,050 |
Top paying States for this occupation:
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Massachusetts | 1,070 | 0.32 | 0.71 | $22.74 | $47,290 |
| District of Columbia | 100 | 0.15 | 0.32 | $22.41 | $46,610 |
| California | 3,950 | 0.26 | 0.58 | $21.66 | $45,060 |
| Washington | 1,550 | 0.53 | 1.18 | $20.64 | $42,930 |
| Connecticut | 760 | 0.46 | 1.02 | $20.05 | $41,710 |
Lowest Paying States:
| State: | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage | Annual median wage |
| Puerto Rico | $12.12 | $25,210.00 | $24,850.00 |
| Utah | $14.31 | $29,770.00 | $29,370.00 |
| Louisiana | $14.48 | $30,120.00 | $30,570.00 |
| South Dakota | $14.50 | $30,160.00 | $29,860.00 |
| Arkansas | $14.52 | $30,200.00 | $29,410.00 |
Average Salary for Medical Transcriptionists by State
| Area name | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage(2) | Annual median wage(2) |
| Alabama | $14.91 | $31,020.00 | $29,450.00 |
| Alaska | $17.43 | $36,250.00 | $30,540.00 |
| Arizona | $17.85 | $37,120.00 | $37,450.00 |
| Arkansas | $14.52 | $30,200.00 | $29,410.00 |
| California | $21.66 | $45,060.00 | $47,190.00 |
| Colorado | $18.72 | $38,930.00 | $37,780.00 |
| Connecticut | $20.05 | $41,710.00 | $42,200.00 |
| Delaware | $15.75 | $32,750.00 | $32,820.00 |
| District of Columbia | $22.41 | $46,610.00 | $47,370.00 |
| Florida | $15.84 | $32,940.00 | $32,280.00 |
| Georgia | $16.58 | $34,480.00 | $34,150.00 |
| Hawaii | $15.48 | $32,190.00 | $28,990.00 |
| Idaho | $16.06 | $33,400.00 | $33,820.00 |
| Illinois | $16.91 | $35,170.00 | $34,270.00 |
| Indiana | $16.18 | $33,650.00 | $33,750.00 |
| Iowa | $15.23 | $31,680.00 | $30,780.00 |
| Kansas | $15.43 | $32,090.00 | $31,220.00 |
| Kentucky | $15.93 | $33,130.00 | $33,710.00 |
| Louisiana | $14.48 | $30,120.00 | $30,570.00 |
| Maine | $16.49 | $34,300.00 | $33,880.00 |
| Maryland | $17.18 | $35,730.00 | $35,440.00 |
| Massachusetts | $22.74 | $47,290.00 | $44,660.00 |
| Michigan | $15.87 | $33,000.00 | $33,250.00 |
| Minnesota | $17.63 | $36,670.00 | $38,500.00 |
| Mississippi | $14.61 | $30,380.00 | $29,510.00 |
| Missouri | $16.76 | $34,860.00 | $34,220.00 |
| Montana | $15.49 | $32,220.00 | $31,590.00 |
| Nebraska | $16.35 | $34,010.00 | $33,730.00 |
| Nevada | $16.21 | $33,720.00 | $29,560.00 |
| New Hampshire | $18.79 | $39,080.00 | $39,630.00 |
| New Jersey | $19.29 | $40,120.00 | $39,800.00 |
| New Mexico | $18.08 | $37,600.00 | $35,440.00 |
| New York | $18.05 | $37,540.00 | $37,280.00 |
| North Carolina | $16.05 | $33,390.00 | $33,160.00 |
| North Dakota | $15.75 | $32,750.00 | $31,580.00 |
| Ohio | $15.85 | $32,960.00 | $33,860.00 |
| Oklahoma | $15.83 | $32,920.00 | $32,960.00 |
| Oregon | $18.52 | $38,510.00 | $38,810.00 |
| Pennsylvania | $16.50 | $34,320.00 | $34,350.00 |
| Puerto Rico | $12.12 | $25,210.00 | $24,850.00 |
| Rhode Island | $19.53 | $40,610.00 | $41,010.00 |
| South Carolina | $17.15 | $35,670.00 | $34,560.00 |
| South Dakota | $14.50 | $30,160.00 | $29,860.00 |
| Tennessee | $14.76 | $30,700.00 | $30,440.00 |
| Texas | $16.30 | $33,910.00 | $32,880.00 |
| Utah | $14.31 | $29,770.00 | $29,370.00 |
| Vermont | $17.79 | $37,010.00 | $36,690.00 |
| Virginia | $15.89 | $33,050.00 | $32,560.00 |
| Washington | $20.64 | $42,930.00 | $39,710.00 |
| West Virginia | $14.67 | $30,520.00 | $29,130.00 |
| Wisconsin | $18.23 | $37,910.00 | $36,740.00 |
| Wyoming | $15.25 | $31,720.00 | $32,870.00 |
References:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Medical Transcriptionists, on the Internet at bls.gov.