Medical transcribers turn doctors’ notes into legal documents, working in offices, hospitals, or from home. They listen to audio files and type information accurately, using reference materials and paying attention to grammar and spelling. Completed reports must be professional and confidential.
A medical transcriber prepares the doctor’s notes into formal legal documents. Medical transcribers are also called transcriptionists. They can work in a doctor’s office or hospital or in their own home. To work from home, a transcriptionist or medical transcriber usually has on-site experience first. Some online medical transcription companies hire work-at-home transcribers with minimal but proven experience and qualifications.
Reporting to a transcription supervisor or directly to the physician, a medical transcriber can turn handwritten notes and dictation into typed documents. Each time a physician examines a patient or refers a patient to a specialist or testing laboratory, the session must be documented. The physician typically takes notes during the patient’s visit and then records this information into the voice equipment. Traditionally, cassette tape recorders were used, but today telephone application technology can send the doctor’s audio message directly to the transcriber’s computer server. Once received, the medical transcriptionist listens to the message and types the information into the documents while the audio file plays.
Using fast and accurate typing skills, medical transcribers must not only rely on their training to include correct terminology, but stop recording dictation to refer to reference materials when needed. They may have online medical journals as well as books on subjects like anatomy or pharmacology to consult. A medical transcriber should also pay attention to using proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Completed reports, even brief notes for a medical record, must be of professional quality.
Returning the completed transcription on deadline is important for the transcriber. Patient information needs to be constantly updated, yet accessible by doctors, nurses and physician assistants. If a medical transcriber works with a supervisor, that person checks the finished documents for accuracy. If the transcriptionist works directly with the doctor, it is necessary to check the assignments carefully several times before handing over the completed documents. Most medical transcribers keep a record of all the tasks they perform, with start and completion dates indicated.
Maintaining patient confidentiality at all times is an absolutely mandatory behavior for a medical transcriber. Whether working from home for a transcription service or directly in a doctor’s office or hospital, medical records require the law and ethics to be confidential. Trained and qualified medical personnel, including transcriptionists and assistants, can view and work with patient information, but must not discuss anything with unauthorized persons.
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