3. To make earnings cited above, you need to be able to sit and type for long hours. You need to isolate yourself from noise and distraction of other human beings (and some pets) and pound on that keyboard hour after hour. As I stated earlier, amount of medical transcription work available far exceeds available transcribers to do work. Some transcriptionists let greed take control of them and sit at computer for 16 hours seven days per week. They get accustom to a $100,000 a year lifestyle. But what does it do for their health?

- Medical transcription companies charge more for "fast turn around". Some pass part of this money onto transcriptionist, others just demand work get done immediately. In either case, fast turn around work prevents you from controlling your own working hours.

Now that I've discouraged you, fact is that many medical transcriptionists do work where they want, when they want, as much as they want, and earn a respectable living. If you're up to challenge, how do you became a medial transcriptionist?

Training --------

You'll need to be proficient in use of a computer. You'll need to be a fast typist. If you can't type as fast as doctor dictates, you'll be working hard with foot pedal to move back and forth in recording. You must be comfortable using a Word Processing application such as Microsoft Word or Workperfect. You'll need to know how to format documents and how to use macros. If you don't use macros you'll be typing same phrases over and over.

If you decide to sign up for a medical transcription course, make sure course provides plenty of authentic dictations. You cannot become a medical transcriptionist by just reading medical terminology. You need to hear it spoken. Just listening to terms being pronounced is of limited use. You need to hear terms used in a sentence. Simulated medical dictations are fine, but you need some practice with actual medical dictations.

- Find a course that teaches basic anatomy and physiology along with terminology.

The best way to learn ---------------------

The best way to learn is with on-the-job training. If you have a doctor friend or family member who does dictations, ask them if you can transcribe a low-priority dictaion for practice. If you're working at a clinic or hospital as a secretary or receptionist, investigate how transcription gets done and volunteer to help.

Start out with a specific type of transcription such as letters or office notes in specficic specialities. As you get more experience, your speed will improve and you can branch out into other types of transcriptions for other specialties.

The amount of medical transcription work that needs to be done far exceeds available transcribers to do work. Yes, you can make a decent living doing home medical transcription. You can work where you want, when you want, and as much as you want. But, medical transcription is an occupation only for those who are prepared to meet challenge.

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