How to be Successful at Medical Transcription

What is Medical Transcription, and Are Medical Transcription Jobs in Demand?

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Let’s start with the basics — what exactly is medical transcription?

In simple terms, medical transcription involves transcribing audio recordings made by clinicians into written documents. These recordings may include patient consultations, medical reports, surgical procedures, and diagnostic notes, all of which are essential for maintaining accurate and formal patient records.

Now that we understand what medical transcription entails, the next question is: Is it worth investing in training for this career? Let’s explore whether medical transcription is still in demand and if it’s the right path for you.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, it predicts a decline of only 2% in medical transcriptionist jobs between 2019 – 2029.

That’s definitely encouraging.

A quick search on Indeed (US) reveals a healthy number of job listings, which strongly suggests that medical transcription is very much alive and well.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the essential tools and equipment you’ll need to get started in this career.

Medical Transcription Tools and Equipment

To get started as a transcriptionist—particularly in medical transcription—you’ll need some essential tools and equipment to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and confidentiality. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

✅ Foot Pedal (e.g. Phillips USB or Infinity USB Pedal)
A foot pedal allows you to control audio playback without taking your hands off the keyboard. I, personally have found the Phillips USB foot pedal lasts longer than the Infinity foot pedal and is fully compatible with transcription software like Express Scribe. It helps speed up your workflow by letting you play, rewind, or pause the audio using your feet, keeping your hands free to type.

✅ Transcription Playback Software
You’ll need reliable playback software such as Express Scribe, which is widely used by transcriptionists around the world. It supports various audio file formats, integrates with foot pedals, and includes features like playback speed control, hotkeys, and file management tools.

✅ Transcription Headphones
High-quality headphones are essential for clear audio and maintaining confidentiality—especially when working with sensitive medical files. Noise-isolating or noise-cancelling headphones can significantly improve audio clarity, helping you catch every word accurately.

✅ Laptop or Desktop Computer
A reliable laptop or PC is essential for running transcription software and managing your workload. Make sure it has enough RAM and processing speed to handle multitasking, especially if you’re using other applications like word processors, email, and research tools.

✅ Stable Broadband Internet Connection
A strong broadband connection is important for downloading and uploading audio files, communicating with clients, using cloud storage, and accessing online reference materials. For remote transcriptionists, a stable internet connection is non-negotiable.

Can you Do Transcription Without a Foot Pedal?

You can use playback software like Express Scribe without a foot pedal. But using one keeps your hands free to type. This helps you work faster and transcribe more. More work means more income. That’s why I strongly recommend using a foot pedal.

How Hard is Medical Transcription?

Medical transcription can be challenging. The terminology is complex, and accents can be difficult to understand. Like with any transcription work, it’s harder when you’re not familiar with the speaker or the topic.

That said, it does get easier with practice.

I don’t have much experience in medical typing. But I’ve done a lot of general transcription — mainly disciplinaries and grievance meetings. At first, I had to research many terms. Now, it comes much more naturally.

Some files will have poor audio or strong accents. These take longer to complete. And yes, they can be incredibly frustrating! If you run your own business, I’d recommend charging extra for difficult audio files.

Why is it Needed?

It is vital to keep patient records up to date and accurate.  Busy medical professionals will record their diagnosis and treatment plans etc.

Then medical transcriptionists will help physicians with their admin to release some of their workloads.  It is either done in-house or outsourced to a transcription company.

Help on Tap (my business) has received files from a local hospital that has outsourced their audio. In fact, they were actually quite upsetting and this is something you will need to think about when entering this field of work.

What is Speech Recognition?

Speech recognition software turns audio into text.

A common question is — will it replace medical transcriptionists?

Speech recognition technology has come a long way, but it still has limitations. While it can perform well with clear audio and a single speaker, it often struggles with background noise, overlapping voices, or strong accents. In many real-world scenarios — like medical dictation or multi-speaker conversations — the software tends to misinterpret words or miss them entirely. It’s a helpful tool, but not yet reliable enough to fully replace human transcriptionists, especially in more complex or sensitive fields. Instead, it often requires human review and correction to ensure accuracy so the job will evolve into more of a proofreader role.

One good speech recognition software is Notta – try it out https://notta.cello.so/RjxY8YgCLBZ.

What is Medical Transcription and Editing?

Medical transcription and editing involves converting audio recordings made by healthcare professionals into written text. This process is crucial for creating accurate medical records, which include patient histories, diagnostic information, treatment plans, and surgical notes. The transcriptionist listens to these audio files and types them out, ensuring all details are accurately documented.

Medical transcription editing goes a step further. It involves reviewing and correcting transcribed text, often produced by speech recognition software. Since speech recognition software can misinterpret medical terms or phrases, an editor reviews the text to ensure it is accurate, clear, and follows medical standards. Both roles are essential in maintaining the integrity of patient records and ensuring healthcare professionals have reliable, up-to-date information for making informed decisions.

What is the Difference Between Medical Transcription and Coding?

Medical transcription involves typing clinician documents from audio files. These may include patient treatments, interviews, and operation details.

Once the files are transcribed, medical coders take over. They ensure the files are updated and meet federal regulations and insurance requirements.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical coders can earn more than medical transcriptionists.

How Much Does Medical Transcription Pay?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a medical transcriptionist is around $33,380. While this can be considered a good salary, it may vary based on experience, location, and the specific industry.

If you’re considering a career as a medical transcriptionist, investing in certification is a smart decision.

Medical Transcription Training

Medical Transcription for Beginners

Most medical transcription jobs do ask for a degree or some experience.

I believe it would be difficult without any experience to get a medical transcription job.  And suggest that you either do some sort of training or gain some general transcription experience first.

Low Cost Solutions to Improving your Medical Transcription Skills

So you already have experience but feel your skills are rusty. Then why not purchase a low-cost book? One such book is Medical Transcription for Dummies. .

You might also consider purchasing a sheet of medical abbreviations and acronyms.

How to Learn Medical Transcription Online

Although certification is not necessary some medical transcriptionists choose to become certified.  This would give them a competitive advantage. Furthermore, as previously mentioned some jobs do ask for a qualification.

There are two certifications offered by AHDI:

The Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) is aimed at recent graduates of medical transcription training programs or those with less than two years of work experience.

The Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) is aimed at those who have at least two years of work experience.  It is also aimed at those who have already passed the RMT.

Typical Requirements for Medical Transcriptionists

Below is a list of requirements that most transcription companies ask for:

✅ Professional transcription kit: Most transcription companies ask that you have a transcription kit so a foot pedal, playback software and headphones.

✅Registered self-employed: All transcription companies, that I have seen, ask that you are registered self-employed and will ask for some proof.

✅Typing speed of at least 60wpm: Although this does vary. I have seen some companies ask for 50wpm and other transcription companies 75wpm.

✅Great listening skills: Being able to listen and ensure that the content makes sense is a real skill.

✅High level of accuracy:

✅Good grasp of grammar and punctuation.

✅Editing skills – you must proofread your work.

✅Great time management skills.

✅Ability to motivate yourself.

✅Reliability.

Some transcription companies ask for a DBA check.

Where to Find Medical Transcription Projects or Jobs

How to Avoid Scams

Unfortunately, there are scammers out there.  For example, they will offer you on the job training. In return, you need to buy their transcription software or hosting.   They will obviously get some sort of compensation for this.

One such company is Virtual Office Temps (not sure if they are still around) but they ask you to buy hosting for a website.  I signed up for this site many years ago but had a bad feeling about it.  I didn’t buy anything from them. However, I still got emails from them and there wasn’t an unsubscribe button.  If it sounds too good to be true then it usually is.

My advice is don’t sign up for anything that asks you to buy a product in return for work/experience.  There are plenty of legit transcription companies out there.  I have listed a number below.

Most medical audio typing jobs are in hospitals or physician offices. However, there are medical audio typing jobs working from home.

Medical audio typing from home can be the perfect answer for mums with children. It can be an interesting and varied job. And it is totally flexible and fits in with family life.

Let’s firstly look at some UK Based Transcription Companies.  Please check their websites as the requirements may have changed.

UK Based Transcription Companies

Accuro – states that you must be based in the UK and must have secretarial experience.  This company is seeking both medical and legal transcriptionists.  The website advises that you should have a windows PC, Microsoft Office, a transcription equipment such as Express Scribe or Olympus transcription module.  Accuro don’t ask for you to work set hours but that you do complete work within the pre-agreed time.

Alphabet Secretarial – are seeking professional audio transcribers and proof readers. The equipment you need includes software to play any sound file, email, broadband, virus software, suitable cupping headphone such as Plantronics or Beyerdynamic, bose being their preferred supplier.  If successful you will need to sign a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement.

Dict8.com – provides medical transcription to the NHS and medical practitioners.  As such they only accept applications from experienced medical secretaries.  They pay on a per line basis.  You can use either a PC or a MAC.

Document Direct – currently recruiting experienced medical transcriptionists that are fully conversant with medical terminology.  The application form asks what foot pedal and headphones you use.

FingerTips Typing Services – have a form to apply for an audio typing position. It asks you to upload a CV and cover letter.  It doesn’t specify whether you have to be from the UK and there is no indication of the process.

McGowan Transcription – are looking for experienced, professional, accurate transcribers.  They ask that you are able to transcribe 120 minutes per day, five days a week or who can work at the weekend.  You would need to have a DBS certificate.  You will need to complete a 5 minute transcription test and then you will move onto phase 2 which is live files and you will be assessed to see if you are a good fit.

Transcription City – are asking for at least 5 years’ professional experience in your field and a typing speed of at least 60wpm.  Are looking for transcribers in all languages.  They also provide translation services.  In addition, they are looking for experienced subtitle technicians or closed captioners.

Type Out – states that all work is completed by UK typists and you must provide a UTR number. This is the number that you are given when you register as self-employed.  You must apply online and not ring them.  Some jobs require a DBS so it would be an advantage if you had one.  They are asking for a minimum audio typing speed of 75wpm.

US Based Transcription Companies

Acusis – is based in the US and asks for at least 3 years medical transcription experience.  They offer both full time and part time opportunities.  Hardware/Software required: PC with at least 1 GB of RAM, Microsoft Office Version 2003 or any newer version, and up-to-date virus scanner required

EHR Transcriptions – US based company.  On the form it asks how many years experience you have and if you have the necessary transcription equipment.  They are specifically looking for professional transcriptionists with experience in general transcription, especially in the areas of research.

Med-Scribe – Based in the US – it asks for your last 5 years work history.  This is a work agency rather than a transcription company.

World Wide Dictation  – Based in NY – there are no specific requirements given but ask how many years experience you have.

Project Based Websites

Upwork is a job website where people post projects.  You would then send a proposal for the work.  I signed up some years ago but never found any decent projects.  On checking it out recently the quality of projects has improved.  I was able to select jobs that only UK residents could apply for and the rate of pay seemed good.  I also did a search on medical transcription and there were some projects available.

Peopleperhour.com is a similar site to Upwork.  I have done one or two projects through this site in the past.  On checking it out there are some transcription projects.

Top Tips on How to Improve Medical Transcription Skills

1. Use a foot pedal – this will keep your hands free to type.  If you don’t use a foot pedal you would be fumbling to press the hot keys.
2. Set your playback software to rewind back when you take your foot off the pedal.  This will allow you to re-listen to the audio. Hence ensuring you have heard it correctly.
3. Have easy access to a medical terms dictionary or a medical abbreviations sheet.
4. As well as knowing medical terminology it is important to know how doctors commonly abbreviate words.  For example, nitroglycerine is often shortened to nitro.
5. It is also important to know when drugs should have an initial capital letter if they are a brand.
6. Improve listening skills and knowledge – when transcribing a file it may be difficult to hear the difference between words. For example nitrates and nitrites. Knowing what each of these do will help you to choose the right spelling.
7. Be consistent – use a text file to make notes of terms and names. This will ensure it is spelt the same throughout the transcript. When I check files I often see inconsistencies. For example, in a transcript a person’s name will be spelt two different ways such as Damien and Damian.
8. Report any discrepancies – a medical transcriptionist is expected to spot any discrepancies in the audio. For example, if the audio file is about a 10 year old patient and it states the patient is a 12 year old later on then this should be highlighted.
9. Spot mistakes – this will come with experience. A medical audio typist may spot mistakes with patients’ diagnosis or treatments. This could potentially save a patient’s life. And would be valuable to medical professionals.
10. Proofread your work – this is extremely important.  Once you have transcribed it then check it over carefully.  I proofread all my transcripts and it is amazing some silly errors I spot.  If it is a really difficult file then I will check it a third time.  That’s why I have kept my clients for over 9 years now. Hence, accuracy is so important. People will also pay more for quality.

What is a Medical Transcription Test?

A Medical Transcription test will generally start with multiple-choice questions.  These will focus on terminology, grammar, punctuation and capitalization. It will be pretty straight forward if you have completed an MT training program.

Next the transcription portion will contain a number of audio files at varying difficulty levels.  There is likely to be a very difficult file but you wouldn’t be expected to transcribe this perfectly.

The medical transcription for dummies book gives advice on doing tests.

Myth Busters about Medical Transcription

Speed is the most important

This is so untrue with transcription in general. Attention to detail and concentration is far more important.

Anyone can do medical transcription

As already mentioned medical transcription is difficult and as such not everyone would be able to do it.  Ideally, you would need to be trained as a MT and it is very unlikely that a transcription company will take on a person who has little or no training.

Speech recognition will make medical transcriptionists obsolete

There are some transcription companies and medical institutes that are using speech recognition software. As previously mentioned this technology is not perfect. It requires a person to check the transcript to ensure it is accurate.

It may be that there will be less actual medical audio typing but that the role develops into an editing role. I, personally, would prefer this type of role.

Having used some speech recognition software I believe it is a long, long way off making medical transcriptionists redundant!

Medical transcription is being outsourced to countries abroad where transcription is cheaper

This is so untrue because of changes in federal laws in 2010 relating to protecting patient health information.  These changes made compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules an even higher priority. So medical transcription companies and healthcare facilities need to keep tighter control over patient information. Therefore it needs to be done within the US.

So this year has seen an increase in people working from home.  This is nothing new for me, as I have been working from home since 2008. So let’s examine both the pros and cons of working from home.

Advantages of working from home

• Flexibility:  This will give a better work/life balance.  As a remote working medical transcriptionist you can select the hours you want to work.  You can fit these around times that you need to drop off the kids or pick them up.  You can choose hours that fit in with your life.

• No stressful commuting time: You don’t have to travel in a stressful environment.  Thus packed trains and buses can be very stressful these days.  On average your commute would be about an hour a day.  This is an hour you could be focusing on more healthy activities, such as a workout or eating a good breakfast.

• More productive:  You would not have the distractions of other office staff.  This would mean less noise thus you would be more productive.

• Travel Savings:  You would not have any travel costs.

• Clothes Savings: You would not have to buy any work clothes.

• No childcare costs:  Working from home means that you fit in your work around your children.

• Reduce risk of getting viruses:  The less contact you have with people the less likely you are to catch viruses.

• No office politics:  When self-employed you don’t get involved in meetings and office politics.  Some people can find these very stressful and overwhelming.

• More relaxed:  When you are in your own environment you are more relaxed.  You don’t have to wear a suit and you can even work in your pyjamas.

Disadvantages of working from home

• Distractions:  There could be other distractions such as housework, children, making meals etc., which could lead to a lower productivity.
• Motivation: You need to be disciplined to motivate yourself.
• Isolation:  You can feel isolated working from home alone.