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By Frida Cooper
Today, there are innumerable work-from-home opportunities. The widespread use of the internet has made it possible for people to access information from any corner of the world. So essentially, you could be living in the United States but be working for a company based somewhere in Europe. Now, any job that involves excessive use of computer software can be done from the comfort of your own home.
Medical transcription is one such job. Not only can medical transcription be done from home, it is among the hottest careers in the United States today. Statistics have shown that the field of medical transcription has been growing steadily and will continue to grow at 8% till 2022. So it is a great career option as of now, especially for people looking to work from home. You can be assured of job stability even in times of economic upheaval. Isn’t that a relief?
Here are 5 things you absolutely should be aware of before you begin your home-based medical transcription career.
1. You Cannot Become a Home-based Medical Transcriptionist Overnight
Medical transcription requires professional training since it requires you to be well versed with a vast range of medical terminology before you can begin working as a transcriptionist. Training in medical transcription can take anywhere between 4 and 18 months depending on where you enroll. Online schools usually take about 4 months to complete training. Career Step, a reputed medical transcription training school, offers a course in medical transcription as well as medical transcription editor training which can be completed in as little as 4 months at an affordable tuition.
2. You Need Work Experience
The truth is that you cannot just expect to start working from home the minute you finish your training. There is a lot about medical transcription that is learnt on the job as well. It is very unlikely that you will get hired as an independent transcriptionist when clients see no work experience under your belt. This means that you will have to work with a hospital/private practice in the initial stages of your career in order to build a stable network. In the case of medical transcription you need to first gain at least 6 months of work experience (if not more) before you can move your work to your home permanently.
3. A Stable Clientele Is the Key
The first thing you need it you want a successful home-based medical transcription career is a steady clientele. Obviously, in order to get work you need clients! So, while you are gaining work experience, focus your energies on networking and developing relationships with people with whom you would like to work in the future. Show them that you are a capable and dedicated transcriptionist. This way, when you move your work to your home, it will be easier to build a clientele.
4. Medical Transcription Is Not a Get Rich Quick Scam
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics says that on an average, medical transcriptionists make about $30,000 a year which is not a very glamorous salary. However, considering the fact you won’t have to drive to work and back every day and that you can pretty much work at your own convenience, $2.5k a month doesn’t seem so bad. The profession’s appeal lies in job stability and a steady, monthly income.
5. Medical Transcription is Not a Walk in the Park
Medical transcription involves transcribing the notes of doctors; notes that will probably be full of diagnoses and treatments for various different illnesses. There are abbreviations that you have to learn for these illnesses as well as the names of the medications that have been prescribed. This requires mental effort and accuracy. You cannot afford to make a mistake. A patient’s life may depend on it.
So now you know. You don’t need a fancy degree to become a medical transcriptionist, you can train and work from home at your convenience and you will never find yourself out of a job should you choose the path of medical transcription. So what are you waiting for? Make an informed decision and get one step closer to starting your medical transcription career today!
Visit Career Step to learn more.
