The services of medical transcriptionists are much sought after by healthcare professionals all over the world. Medical transcriptionists listen to recorded voice dictations of physicians and other healthcare professionals and transcribe them into written documents. These documents can then be used by these physicians for recordkeeping purposes, for insurance purposes, to track patient histories and monitor progress etc. These medical transcriptionists listen to these recordings through headsets and use word processors to transcribe these documents accurately and without any grammatical errors. It’s a flexible, rewarding job that you can do from just about anywhere. But it might not be for everyone. So if you have decided to opt for medical transcription training, here are 5 questions you need to ask yourself before you do.

1. Do you have the self-discipline to sit in one place for long hours to get the job done?

It’s true that working as a medical transcriptionist gives you the flexibility to work at a pace most comfortable to you. You can always work it around your schedule to accommodate any other responsibilities you might have, but most of all, it’s a job that requires plenty of self-discipline on your part to get the job done. One of the best ways to stay focused is to create a daily schedule and stick to it at all costs.

2. Are you tech-savvy enough?

Before you decide to undergo medical transcription training, it’s important you know exactly what the job entails. As mentioned earlier, the main role of medical transcriptionists is to listen to recorded voice dictations sent over by physicians and transcribe them into accurate, grammatically correct written documents. The job requires medical transcriptionists to work with different computer software, apps and even possess reasonable keyboard skills.

3. Are you a good listener?

If you’re easily distracted or if you have a tendency to get bored easily, you might want to re-consider your options. As a medical transcriptionist, you’re constantly listening to audio recordings sent in by physicians and it is your job to listen to these recordings attentively in order to transcribe them as accurately as possible.

4. Are you physically fit for the job?

While medical transcriptionists do enjoy the comfort of working from home, physical fitness is of utmost importance. If you suffer from back pain or neck discomfort, you might want to invest in an ergonomic chair or even do stretches and muscle strengthening exercises to make your job easier.

5. Are you willing to constantly learn?

The healthcare industry, as we all know, is constantly evolving. Your job doesn’t end at enrolling in a medical transcription school to get the training you need. While reputed medical transcriptionist schools like Career Step will train you in all the necessary medical terminology, medical jargon and even grammar to succeed as a medical transcriptionist, it is up to you to keep abreast of the latest trends and technology in the healthcare industry.

A medical transcription career can be a blessing in disguise for people hard-pressed for time, weighed down with responsibilities or even those who are incapable of making the daily commute to a full-time desk job. But like every other job, it too requires self-discipline, motivation and dedication. If you think you have what it takes, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enroll in a medical transcription training program and excel at a job you’re truly cut out for!