WHO IS A MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST? A CAREER WITH NO RECOGNITION IN NEPAL

So, who is a Medical Transcriptionist?

It sounds like a key position at a Medical institution, doesn't it?


Let me tell you, I'm a Medical Transcriptionist with currently years of experience at one of Asia's biggest hospitals (Nepal Mediciti Hospital), so put on your reading glasses as I'm going to familiarize everybody with a career not many (focused on Nepali readers) even knew existed!

Medical Transcription is basically a typing job.

Almost everyone nowadays uses a computer on a daily basis, whether it's for work, social media, gaming or other kinds of stuff.

Many people think of working on a computer is like, mainly office related. They usually see works such as writing letters, reports, processing, and financial reports, presentation of histories, management of email services, etc.

What does a Medical Transcriptionist do?

Among all of those above mentioned computer-related tasks, there is a task where a person transcribes (live or from audio and video sources) and makes a report (writing or typing), also known as transcription. 

A Medical Transcriptionist also has similar kinds of responsibilities.

Really? Some of you might think right now!

I know lots of people who do that! I know transcription very well, how can you write “with no recognition”? 

Then that’s what Medical Transcriptionists do?

To be honest, YES. But I never said transcription is the only thing done by them.

What skills are required to be a Medical Transcriptionist?

It’s the same type of job as normal transcription but requires a very important and compulsory ability; knowledge of medical terms. Attaining knowledge of basic medical terms alone requires lots of arduous work and time, so transcribing them is unquestionably going to be hard.  

Transcribing doctor's dictations and preparing a report is what Medical Transcribers do.

Let’s go back to the main topic; who is a Medical Transcriptionist?

Transcribing medical recordings or narrations (both normal sentences and medical terms together) and prepare reports (with fast and accurate typing) in a very least time possible, is known as ‘Medical Transcription’ or in a simple language, ‘Medical Typing’. And a person executing them is called ‘Medical Transcriptionist’.

I, myself, as a Medical Transcriptionist realized it's not an easy job as people might think because there is no telling where you're going to spend hours confused and desperately attempting to find a solution (probably correct word or sentence).

I still remember my first experience (it was at an International Hospital and had to transcribe to live narrations by the doctor), ‘I didn’t have any ideas what to do or what job it was! My only response was completely immobilized for the whole day pretending like I was observing everything around me, but frankly had no clue what was going on (still gives me shivers). I’m glad those were in the past.

Can a newbie try and work as a Medical Transcriptionist?

Not many Medical Transcriptionists around have experience of more than 1-2 years, and then probably you might want to have a go.

Medical organizations in Nepal are forced to look at alternate options for fresh vacancies as every attempt to find an experienced and suitable one goes in vain.

Each educated person wants a line of work he/she is familiar with or offers them decent pay. No one wishes to start a career in something they haven’t heard of.

So, currently, the chances for inexperienced ones wishing to work as a Medical Transcriptionist is very high.

Where can I learn or train to be an experienced Medical Transcriptionist?

The best option for learning is to do it while working as a Medical Transcriptionist as it gives you a suitable environment to pick up even the smallest of details about the responsibilities!

Another option for learning and mastering Medical Transcription is through online courses.

If you are serious about pursuing a career as a Medical Transcriptionist, then spending a little on online courses is no big deal. Penn Foster Career School is one of the best diploma courses to learn.

Apart from working as a Medical Transcriptionist, I also trained 7 people myself, who are working at different medical institutions.

Perhaps I can support you and maybe train you for pursuing a career at some of Nepal’s medical organizations!

How much does a Medical Transcriptionist earn?

Salary for a Medical Transcriptionist depends on the experience they possess.

Working at a Medical organization full time can earn you about $200-$350 per month. Similarly, you work on a part-time basis, then you’re likely to earn around $50-$100 per month.

At Payscale, you can know how much a Medical Transcriptionist makes hourly or even know how much you should be earning!

Can I work or transcribe from home as well?

Sure you can! There are many freelancing jobs available. You just need to earn the clients' trust and get hired.

You can start working as a Medical Transcriptionist from many freelancing websites. Some of them are Peopleperhour.com, Freelancer.com, Upwork.com.

However, freelancing jobs are very hard to get at first even if you are well experienced. That may be frustrating sometimes, but patience and delivering quality effort will get you going in no time!

What are the benefits of being a Medical Transcriptionist?

I get to work every day for the best doctors (normally people need an appointment and wait in a long queue to meet them) and believe me, there are no such careers for non-medical individuals where you can work for those doctors directly (of course, if you are a a full-time employee at the medical organization) or indirectly (freelancing jobs).

Good earning, respect and Medical knowledge; great things to have, don’t you reckon?   

Now let me ask you, do you know who is a ‘Medical Transcriptionist’?

Let me guess, you do!