How to Become a Home Medical Transcriptionist Without Taking a Course

If you already have a background in medical terminology you can become a medical transcriptionist without taking a medical transcription course. This article outlines some strategies to get started in medical transcription without a course.

Steps

1. Have a background in medical terminology. If you have no background in medical terminology at all, you should get that experience either through work or training, before attempting to become an at-home medical transcriptionist (if you do opt for training, http://www.andrewsschool.com is one of the few well-regarded distance training courses).
2. If possible, get some outside experience before working at home. Most of the large agencies that hire at-home medical transcriptionists simply will not hire a person who has not had a course and/or real-time medical transcription experience at a hospital or doctor's office. Therefore, if you have the freedom to work outside the home for a couple of years it may well be worth looking for medical transcription experience outside of the home before attempting to start your home-based transcription business.
3. Network with local doctors and hospitals. In one case, a transcriptionist who was starting a work-at-home medical transcription career did not take a medical transcription course. She did, however, have a medical career background before transcription. She mentioned to a doctor she knows that she wanted to do transcription from home and he passed her contact information along to his transcription service. Before she knew it she had work!
4. Highlight your transferable skills. Present your prior medical terminology experience or training in a way that makes it easy for a potential client or employer to see that you have medical familiarity. A "Skills" section at the top of your resume that clearly lists medical terminology, typing speed, and any transcription experience is vital.
5. Perform your audition transcript with utmost care. This is your opportunity to shine and it is the most important stage of the hire process. If you are provided with any instructions for the audition make certain you follow them exactly. Proofread your transcript several times and double check every medical term online or with a good medical dictionary.

Tips

• Remember, if you have the basic skills then getting medical transcription work is really a matter of being in the right place at the right time and presenting the right information (a good professional resume, cover letter, and a painstakingly-performed audition).
• Keep contacting potential clients and employers until you find someone who recognizes your potential and gives you that first break. Fast, reliable transcriptionists with good language skills and an excellent grasp of medical terminology are always in demand!

Things You'll Need

• A fully-equipped home office with computer, word processing software, high speed Internet connection, digital foot pedal, and good quality headset.

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