Become a Home Medical Transcriptionist Without Taking a Course
Do you want to become a medical transcriptionist, but you'd prefer not to go to school? If you already have a background in medical terminology, you can become a medical transcriptionist without taking a medical transcription course. By leveraging your experience and highlighting your skills, you can capture employers' attention.
Steps
- Leverage your background in medical terminology. If you've already built up experience working in a doctor's office or hospital, use this to your advantage. Make sure you understand a wide variety of terms and classifications; if not, now's the time to brush up.
- If you don't have medical terminology experience, consider getting a part-time job in a local medical office.
- Or, if you don't have experience but you have a friend who's a home transcriptionist, ask him or her to show you the ropes. Sit in on a typical day and find out how the job is paced, what's expected, how doctors are invoiced, and so on.
- Know the odds. Most of the large agencies that hire at-home medical transcriptionists simply will not hire a person who has not had a course and/or real-time medical transcription experience at a hospital or doctor's office. Therefore, if you have the freedom to work outside the home for a couple of years it may well be worth looking for medical transcription experience outside of the home before attempting to start your home-based transcription business.
- You can get into transcribing locally without training or real-time experience, but it will probably pay significantly less.
- Network with local doctors and hospitals. Visit offices and let them know you're picking up new clients. Leave your business card or a neatly printed slip with your contact information on it.
- If you know anyone who works in the medical field, ask him or her to pass your name along if someone's looking for a transcriptionist.
- Go the extra mile to make your visit memorable. Instead of simply walking into a doctor's office and demanding time, leave a nicely written note and a small token, such as a small office plant or a specialty treat, such as toffee.
- Highlight your transferable skills. Present your prior medical terminology experience or training in a way that makes it easy for a potential client or employer to see that you have medical familiarity. A "Skills" section at the top of your resume that clearly lists medical terminology, typing speed, and any transcription experience is vital.
- Perform your audition transcript with utmost care. This is your opportunity to shine and it is the most important stage of the hire process. If you are provided with any instructions for the audition make certain you follow them exactly. Proofread your transcript several times and double check every medical term online or with a good medical dictionary.
Tips
- Keep contacting potential clients and employers until you find someone who recognizes your potential and gives you that first break. Fast, reliable transcriptionists with good language skills and an excellent grasp of medical terminology are always in demand!
- Remember, if you have the basic skills then getting medical transcription work is really a matter of being in the right place at the right time and presenting the right information (a good professional resume, cover letter, and a painstakingly-performed audition).
Things You'll Need
- A fully-equipped home office with computer, word processing software, high speed Internet connection, digital foot pedal, and good quality headset.
Related Articles
- Be a Medical Transcriptionist
- Set Up Your Home Transcription Office
- Select a Medical Billing Vendor
