Myths about Medical Transcription Debunked

There is a lot of misinformation on the internet about the career of a medical transcriptionist. Most of these misconceptions are spread by companies that want your money.

The field of medical transcription is very interesting yet extremely challenging. You can work virtually from anywhere, just with a reliable internet connection.

There are myriad opportunities for a medical transcriptionist to work full-time or part-time as an employee or start their own medical transcription business. Yet, it isn’t a ticket to overnight prosperity and requires a great deal of dedication, commitment, and patience.

Let us debunk some of the common myths about medical transcription.

Myth: Medical Transcriptionists Make $50,000 a Year

Fact: While a few established medical transcriptionists might make $50,000 a year working from home, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the annual salary of a medical transcriptionist working full-time is around $34,000 a year.

Well, that amount is enough to live a comfortable life; however, if you want a luxurious life, then you should look for another job to make extra money.

Myth: Medical Transcriptionists Can Attend To Family Obligations and Work at the Same Time

Fact: Medical transcription requires undivided attention and intense concentration and attention to detail and therefore, there is no room for other things during work. So, if you are working from home, it is not possible to get the required level of concentration if a teething infant energetic toddler is in the same room.

Myth: Medical Transcriptionists Just Need a Fast Typing Speed

Fact: Typing proficiency is certainly important for a medical transcriptionist, but it isn’t the ultimate key to success as a medical transcriptionist. There are several other things that are important to become a successful transcriptionist including;

• Ability to Multitask
• Devotion to Education
• Critical Thinking
• A Pressure-Resistant Mindset
• The Ability to Concentrate Intently for Long Hours

Myth: Medical transcriptionists Need Little or No Training

Fact: A total misconception. Unless you have formal medical transcription training, no employer will even consider you for an interview. You need to formal training from a recognized and reputable institute such as an established medical transcription school or community college program to prepare yourself for a career as a medical transcriptionist.

Myth: As Speech Recognition Software Advances, Medical Transcriptionists Will Become Obsolete

Fact: There is no denying that healthcare providers are turning to speech recognition software to cut transcription costs. However, a number of studies have shown that speech recognition technology has a higher error rate and therefore, a higher rate of complications as compared to the transcription.

Additionally, speech recognition software has too many limitations that keep it from becoming an effective way to create notes. However, despite all of its shortcomings, the technology seems to be here to stay.

Notwithstanding, speech recognition software is just the new twist in the ever-changing medical transcription field and will not make it obsolete.

Myth: Getting Certified Makes it Easier to Break into Medical Transcriptionist

Fact: Absolute hogwash. You do not need any license or certification to become a medical transcriptionist. Yes, there is a Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) certification, but it isn’t an entry-level credential, and no training program can provide it to you.

You can eventually earn this certification in order to go up the ranks in your career. However, for that, you need at least two years of experience in a multispecialty environment or in acute-care transcription under your belt.

Myth – Medical Transcription is a Low-Stress Job

Fact: Typing what you hear might not seem to be a stressful job; however, it is much harder than your imagination, particularly if you are a beginner. You have to deal with random noises in the background and type unfamiliar words that you do not how to spell. However, it would not be stress that can kills you.

Myth: Medical Transcription is Just for Women

Fact: It is a fact that the field of medical transcription is dominated by women at present. It is no harder for men to break into this profession. The only reason women are dominating this field is that they look for jobs that they can do from home or on a flexible schedule.

Final Words:

They are several other myths about medical transcription that you may come across as you proceed in your career; however, it is advisable to do your research thoroughly before you believe in them.

Precision7 Inc. is a leading medical billing company in the USA that provides a full range of medical transcription services for hospitals of all sizes of medical practices and hospitals.

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