Are there any medical transcriptionists out there?

[Bea]

I am considering taking a medical transcription course (Canscribe - online). I am being trained to do transcription at my current work place (they were desperate ) and am acually enjoying it but find it frustrating without proper training and would also like to be able to advance to a hospital eventually.I would really like to have the education aspect on my resume.

I am wondering if anyone can share their experiences in this field? Do you like it? What is availability of work like? How is the pay?

I have heard about voice recognition. Is this technology something that will eliminate medical transcriptionist?

Thanks for any info!!

 

[dennise]

I am a medical secretary and have done transcription for over 20 years. My employer has used voice recognition for the past few years, but I still have to set up the letters, read and make corrections. It certainly saves time, but I am not sure that voice recognition will completely take over.

 

[jtdl]

I am a medical transcriptionist and have been for many years. Voice recognition will eventually take over and then transcripitionists are called "correctionists" - a very boring job. You sit there and watch a black line underline each word as you listen to the dictation - just like the old sing along children's shows on tv! A hospital I worked for went to VR and I left after two months - it was a horribly boring job. VR that the hospitals use is much more sophisticated than what individual doctors use and is continuously improving. Lots of hospitals also go to outsourcing - third party companies that hire independent contractors - but usually you have to have three years hospital experience before they will hire you. I'm not sure what the healthcare situation is like in NS but it is BAD here in Ontario - everybody except administrative people are being laid off! Soon there will be no clinical or front-line workers in any Ontario hospital - only CEOs and managers!!!! Maybe talk to hospital employees and see what the situation is in your area before making a decision. If you were in Ontario I would definitely say "don't waste your money".