How to Chart a Successful Career in Transcription

As a new economic picture is taking shape, transcription careers are rising in popularity and becoming more available to the general public. There is now a growing demand for transcription jobs among college graduates and trained professionals such as translators, transcriptionists, and interpreters.

One of the main attractions of a career in transcription work is that it can be done from home.

Here are some of the things to keep in mind when pursuing a career in this emerging industry that serves the media, legal services, healthcare facilities and many more industries.

Transcription Training Programs
The path to becoming a transcriptionist usually begins with exploring training programs, although there are multiple ways to enter the field. The key is to find a school that has a credible reputation and track record for producing professionals.

One place to check for a list of reputable schools is the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI). Once you arrive at the home page click "Find a School" and look for AHDI members that offer programs that meet your needs, whether they are online or on a physical campus. Some schools are seasonal while others offer year round classes.

Career Benefits

• Be your own boss as an independent contractor

• Set your own schedule

• Training can be completed within a year

Transcription Work
The majority of transcription work involves transcribing and editing audio voice recordings. Medical and legal firms are some of the main employers for transcription job seekers to pursue.

While medical facilities need help with billing, there is also plenty of work that requires you to wear a headset while listening to a physician's recorded dictation to prepare documents.

Attorneys also hire transcriptionists for dictation services during a deposition. In both cases, it's essential for the transcriptionist to know the English language well and to have an understanding of the respective industry terminology. You must also be familiar with the word processing software.

Remuneration
The median pay for medical transcriptionists in 2012 was $34,020 per year and $16.36 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job outlook through 2022 is 8 percent growth.