I know how hard it is to learn medical transcription and how overwhelming it can be to get into the medical transcription field. I made a midlife career change to become a medical transcriptionist; if I did it so can you.

First off, I want to say that most people have no idea how mentally and physically fatiguing it is to hear a doctor talking into your ear and typing the medical transcription into proper format, all the while trying to coordinate the hearing, typing, and foot pedal operation of the medical transcriber. There were times when I wanted to scream, “Will I ever be able to get the coordination down?”

So what do I mean about slip-sliding into medical transcription? Consider all that has to be learned: computer operation (hardware), software applications (word processor, word/phrase expansion software,), medical terminology, medical transcription report formats, Latin abbreviations, understanding different voices, drug names (brand and generic names), all while trying to produce an accurate, quality medical report and maintaining typing speed that will make it financially viable for you at the end of the day.

Back to slip-sliding into medical transcription now. When I considered the medical transcription field, I was already working for a medical company, word processing nursing assessment program documents. Medical terminology was something with which I was familiar. I had always loved medical terms, as well as typing and computers, so I chose to pursue the medical transcription field.

After completing my medical transcription courses, I landed my first job which was a combination of word processing and medical transcription. I did word processing, something comfortable for me, and medical transcription of consultation reports for a renowned toxicologist, something that was outside of my comfort zone. I did not throw myself into a situation in which I felt like I would be swallowed up whole. In other words, I did a slip-slide into medical transcription.

My next job was a full-time medical transcription job for an orthopedic surgeon in the workers’ compensation arena. In fact, I was told that this orthopedic surgeon was the doctor who performed the first hip replacement in Orange County California. Pretty neat, huh? (Shows how old the doctor and I are, too!) Even though I had experience, I really was outside my comfort zone in this job. It was very stressful because I worked in a different building from my supervisor who briefly trained me and then cut me loose to sink or swim. By the time I landed that job, I had transcribed enough reports that I had established my rhythm with hearing, typing, and foot pedal operation. I was also comfortable with the word processing program I was using. Thank God for that, because I felt totally overwhelmed for the first 4-6 months. I didn’t sink, but I sure felt like I was doing so at times because I was totally unfamiliar with workers’ compensation terminology, report formats, the doctor’s voice and what seemed like a thousand other things.

I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed the first time you stick your great toe into the medical transcription waters. My suggestions are these:

If you can perform medical transcription on a part-time basis for one doctor or even just one client, do so. If there is a seasoned medical transcriptionist in house, ask if that person will mentor you. If you are the sole MT, then join a local chapter of the AAMT and an online chapter of the AAMT. Network with people both offline and online.

If you can get a job with part-time transcription, either medical transcription OR non-medical transcription, DO IT! This is a great way to segue (or slip-side) into the medical transcription field.

If you can get a job as a full-time non-medical transcriptionist, grab that opportunity and excel at it. For instance, many insurance companies need/want transcriptionists, and medical terminology is a plus. There will almost certainly be additional medical transcription terminology that you will pick up along the way. That way you can master the transcription part, learn some medical terms, and have that experience which you can add to your resume.

Another thought: Legal transcription. Many legal offices seek people who have had medical terminology and transcription backgrounds. Find a company that is willing to train you. The medicolegal field is great, and as long as people continue to get hurt, there will always be a demand for this type of transcription work.

I guess what I’m ultimately trying to say is slow and steady wins the race, and with a long-term strategy planned out in advance, you will dramatically lessen the undue stress, burn-out and frustration that is part and parcel of venturing into the career of medical transcription.

Regards,

Mary