| The USB foot pedal and transcriber software | | | | send and receive emails with attachments and |
| is the latest in medical transcription | | | | utilize the Internet for research purposes |
| industry technology. This of course replaces | | | | |
| the desktop transcriber and floor foot pedal | | | | Normal hearing acuity |
| that used a cassette tape for recording and | | | | |
| playing physician dictation. Headset with | | | | Before you choose a school or home study |
| earphones is still used. | | | | program take note of whether or not they have |
| | | | a job placement program after graduation. |
| The minimum system requirements most | | | | |
| employers prefer home based medical | | | | After formal training and throughout your |
| transcribers to operate are: | | | | career in Medical Transcription, you should |
| | | | continue your education through professional |
| Desktop or laptop PC running Windows 2000, XP | | | | memberships and certifications. The Certified |
| Home, XP Medial Center Edition, XP Pro or | | | | Medical Transcriptionist can be acquired |
| VISTA | | | | through the Association for Healthcare |
| | | | Documentation Integrity (formerly American |
| Most employers prefer PCs. Future work | | | | Association for Medical Transcription or |
| environments and MT products may not support | | | | AAMT). Certification is achieved upon |
| Macs. | | | | successful completion of their examination. |
| | | | |
| CD-RW drive or CD-Rom drive that is able to | | | | In addition to professional memberships and |
| read CD-RW disks or DVD drives | | | | certification there is absolutely nothing |
| | | | like continuing to learn by actually doing. |
| 128 RAM or higher | | | | Everyday transcribing medical dictation is a |
| | | | new day of education in the field of Medical |
| Sound card SoundBlaster compatible, 16-bit | | | | Transcription. |
| or higher | | | | |
| | | | Where are the Employment Opportunities in |
| Hard disk space Minimum 250 MB hard disk | | | | Medical Transcription? They include: |
| space | | | | |
| | | | Hospitals and clinics |
| USB (Universal Serial Bus) port | | | | |
| | | | Pharmaceutical companies |
| Single-prong headset (earphones) | | | | |
| | | | Nursing homes |
| Computer with updated antivirus software is | | | | |
| mandatory | | | | Physicians offices |
| | | | |
| The Medical Transcriptionist today will need | | | | Visiting nurse services |
| to have a good understanding of MS word or | | | | |
| Wordperfect word processing programs and | | | | Home-based independents |
| basic computer skills. | | | | |
| | | | Surgical centers |
| Internet Access is required. Knowledge of | | | | |
| email is required. An English dictionary is | | | | Hospice programs |
| always a staple in the library of a Medical | | | | |
| Transcriptionist. | | | | Rehabilitation centers |
| | | | |
| Formal education either through distance and | | | | Chiropractic centers |
| home study programs or on site Medical | | | | |
| Transcription schools, business colleges and | | | | Physical therapy groups |
| many Universities now offer full programs in | | | | |
| Medical Transcription. Formal education is | | | | Transcription services |
| definitely an asset. | | | | |
| | | | HMOs & PROs |
| The basic admission requirements for most | | | | |
| Medical Transcription Schools and programs | | | | Dental Offices |
| include: | | | | |
| | | | You can expect to earn anywhere from $25,000 |
| High school diploma or equivalent | | | | upwards depending upon the area in which you |
| | | | live, the sector you work in, the method of |
| Ability to work independently | | | | compensation, and your unique skills. An |
| | | | accurate and speedy Medical Transcriptionist |
| English comprehension | | | | can expect to earn an excellent income and |
| | | | the outlook for this profession continues to |
| Spelling and usage competency (spoken and | | | | look extremely positive. |
| written) equivalent to that of a high school | | | | |
| graduate | | | | Technology will continue to create easier and |
| | | | more effective ways to work, however, I do |
| Intermediate word processing skills with | | | | not believe the human behind the equipment |
| ability to create, save, format, copy and | | | | will ever be replaced. Medical transcription |
| paste documents | | | | is probably here to stay and is a secure |
| | | | career choice. |
| Intermediate computer skills including | | | | |
| ability to troubleshoot basic computer | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the |
| problems, install software, manage files, | | | | resource box. |