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