Medical transcription facts for kids
Imagine someone talking, and you write down every single word they say. That's called Transcription. Now, imagine doing that for doctors and nurses in a hospital! That's what medical transcription is all about. It means listening to recorded voices from medical professionals and writing down exactly what they say.
When doctors and nurses are busy helping patients, they don't have time to write long notes. So, they often record what they see and hear. Later, a special person called a medical transcriptionist listens to these recordings. They type out all the important details. These notes then become part of the patient's health history. This helps other doctors and nurses understand what happened and give the best care.
Medical transcriptionists usually work in places like hospitals, doctor's offices, and nursing homes. It's a growing field, and sometimes companies hire people from outside the main office to do this work.
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Becoming a Medical Transcriptionist
People who want to become medical transcriptionists need special training. They don't need to go to school as long as doctors, but they do need to learn many medical words. They also need to understand basic medical information.
What You Study
Most people go to school for about one to two years to learn medical transcription. They study some of the same things doctors learn, like medical terms. They also learn English and how to type very fast and accurately. Learning to use computers and special software is also a big part of their training.
Learning Online
Some medical transcriptionists learn from home using the internet. They use tools like email and other programs that let people work together even when they are far apart. Learning online can be flexible, letting students study when it works best for them. It can also sometimes save money compared to traditional classroom learning.
Getting Certified
To show they are really good at medical transcription, some people get a special certification. This is like a badge that proves they have the right skills and knowledge. The AHDI (Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity) offers well-known certifications. These include the CMT (Certified Medical Transcriptionist) and the RMT (Registered Medical Transcriptionist). Once a person has gone to school and earned a certification, they are considered a skilled transcriptionist.
How Much They Earn
In the United States, medical transcriptionists usually earn between $20,000 and $30,000 each year. This works out to about $10 to $16 an hour. Those with more experience or special skills can earn more, sometimes around $45,000 per year, which is about $21 an hour.
