A Remote Career for Stay-At-Home Moms
Are you a stay-at-home mom who is still interested in the possibility of having a remote career? Consider training to become a medical transcriptionist, sometimes referred to as a healthcare documentation specialist or medical record transcriber, as a remote career option.
As a medical transcriptionist, you can work from home, have flexible hours, and determine, to some extent, your own schedule. For moms who want to make some extra income while they stay at home with their children, this remote career is a great choice to consider.
The Job Outlook for Medical Transcriptionists
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median salary in 2024 for medical transcriptionists was $37,550 per year or $18.05 hourly. Although employment for medical transcriptionists is expected to decline about five percent from 2023 to 2033, there are still thousands of job openings projected each year. The decline may be partly due to using voice recognition software or other technology. However, medical transcription is still a good option for a remote career because it requires human accuracy and excellent listening skills.
More than 9,000 job openings are expected for this remote career due to replacing workers who might choose other career options or retire. In fact, Recruiter.com notes that the demand for workers in medical transcription is projected to increase by 2029, with an average growth of 1.72 percent anticipated annually during these next few years.
What Does a Medical Transcriptionist Do?
The primary responsibility of a medical transcriptionist is to change or transcribe voice recordings by a healthcare professional into a written report. Physicians and other healthcare professionals use voice recordings or voice dictation to quickly summarize notes from the patient’s office appointment, clinic visit, or even a hospital stay. Once the written report is created, it becomes a part of the patient’s electronic health record (EHR) and can be accessed by patients through their healthcare provider’s health portal.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the main job roles of a medical transcriptionist involve:
- Listening attentively to each voice recording by the healthcare provider. While a medical transcriptionist typically works remotely and operates behind the scenes, their role demands a high level of accuracy as they listen to recordings made by healthcare professionals and create written reports.
- Proofreading and rechecking the report draft, making sure the report is accurate, and correcting any grammar or spelling errors. This should include changing any abbreviations or medical jargon into full, understandable words.
- Checking for any conflicting or missing information in the written report.
- Providing the written report to the healthcare professional who recorded the information for their final approval.
- Following legal guidelines to keep information safe and private. The information a medical transcriptionist transcribes is always confidential.
I’m Interested, Now What?
If you’re thinking about pursuing medical transcription as a remote career, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the process of becoming a medical transcriptionist, including the required training and coursework.
Knowledge of medical terminology and anatomy is needed to be an effective medical transcriptionist. In addition, the ability to use transcription software, EHR software, and software for creating written reports according to healthcare documentation standards is crucial. To consider a remote career as a medical transcriptionist, you need to be a person with critical thinking skills, time management ability, and writing and grammar skills for inspecting the written report. You must be organized, attentive to detail, and prepared to meet fast-paced demands when needed.
Training Options
Many medical transcriptionist training programs are available online or at community colleges and are relatively inexpensive. There are a handful of programs that are approved by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI), a well-recognized professional association. To be approved, programs must meet strict education requirements. Blackstone Career Institute offers an AHDI approved Medical Transcription Program that is quite affordable.
Blackstone’s online Medical Transcription Program can be completed on average in four to 12 months and is designed to prepare students for a career as a medical transcriptionist. Students who graduate from BCI’s Medical Transcription Program qualify to sit for the Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) certification exam, administered by AHDI. According to Research.com, although certification is not always required, obtaining it can significantly improve your job prospects.
Included in BCI’s Medical Transcription Program are all program materials, training modules to practice transcription of physician voice recordings, the RHDS Exam Guide and RHDS exam voucher, and an AHDI Student Membership. Monthly payment plan options are available.
Wrapping It All Up
Keep in mind that a medical transcriptionist is a viable remote career option for a stay-at-home mom, with options to work as an independent contractor for a physician’s office, an outpatient care center, a surgical or medical hospital, a medical transcription company, and other healthcare provider offices. You may eventually decide to pursue additional credentials and specialize in a specific area such as medical-legal transcription or radiology, cardiology, and others.
Written by Jo Gambosi
