| The evolution of the information age is turning out | | | | style of writing, one that complies with local legal |
| to be an incredible boon for a single parent. | | | | and ethical requirements for keeping patient |
| Thanks to recent technology, a working mom can | | | | information confidential. After all, a mistake on |
| hold down her job, attend college online, and still | | | | their reports - such as not noting an allergic |
| be at home for her kids. One such way she can | | | | condition - can lead to fatal consequences. |
| do this is by becoming a medical transcriptionist. | | | | What has particularly affected the field, and thus |
| As it happens, the medical field is well aware of | | | | made the job great for working mothers, is the |
| what the introduction of high speed modems and | | | | advent of the Internet. The transcriptionist can |
| laptops can mean for them. They no longer have | | | | now receive her dictation via e-mail or a specially |
| to have all their personnel report to their clinics or | | | | sent up website, and then return it the same |
| hospitals, fielding a lot of the work to free agents | | | | way. The system has become so simple it can be |
| who actually appreciate staying in their houses. | | | | done on a PDA with the right apps. Speech |
| According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, | | | | recognition software is also growing. |
| nearly 40% of all medical transcription is now | | | | Recruiters look to hire transcriptionists who have |
| fielded out in such a way. | | | | taken training in medical transcription. These |
| What a transcriptionist primarily does is listen to | | | | courses are available at many on campus and |
| dictated recordings from a facility's medical | | | | online colleges. The course load should include legal |
| professionals and transcribes them into reports, | | | | issues relating to healthcare documentation, English |
| correspondence and other paperwork. One of | | | | grammar and punctuation and some sort of |
| their primary tools is a headset, so they can hear | | | | familiarity with the latest software. For working |
| the dictation in detail. From there they key the | | | | mothers, online colleges can be particularly handy |
| text, editing as necessary. After they are done, | | | | because they take the courses from home and |
| usually all a physician should have to do is review | | | | also can get familiar with the process of working |
| and sign or correct and send back. | | | | remotely. |
| It should be made clear that a medical | | | | Transcriptionists tend to be hourly or per job |
| transcriptionist is not a secretary. The have to | | | | workers. The rate averages over $15.00 an hour, |
| have a thorough knowledge of medical | | | | dependent upon the place of employment and skill |
| terminology, which is highly specialized. They must | | | | level. Top level personnel get as much as $21.00 |
| also know their way around medical reference | | | | an hour. One thing the Bureau notes is that once |
| sources, many of which can be accessed over | | | | established, they never lack for work. |
| the Internet. They must also know a specific | | | | |