Home Business Blog

I have decided to start a series, based on my post - Top 10 Home Business Ideas, that will expand on each business, this is the first of the series and I will be talking about number one, Medical Transcription.

1. Medical transcription- this is a wonderful option. The supplies are minimal and the time needed is flexible. If you are a good typist and speak English well then you are able to get into this. The cost to begin is low and the income can be very nice.

Medical transcriptionists are the miracle workers of the medical records! They turn doctors’ daily dictation tapes - rough, hurried, harried, mumbled, muttered, highly technical, and always absolutely crucial - into clear, concise, polished gems of documentation. They work this amazing transformation every day under tight deadlines using just a simple tape or digital audio player, a computer, and a stack of medical books and online reference sources.

The American Association for Medical Transcription maintains a Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) program, providing independent certification. A small percentage of medical transcriptionists have obtained this certification. Few employers require the certification though.

There are numerous training programs in private institutions, public colleges, etc. that can train you in the specialized skills you’ll need to earn a Certified Medical Transcriptionist certification from the American Association of Medical Transcriptionists and get you started towards becoming an MT. Most of the programs can be completed in 6 to 18 months, depending on whether you have any previous medical background, whether you are working while studying or studying full-time, etc.

Training includes an immersion in medical terminology, studies of anatomy and physiology, drugs and pharmacology, etc. Communications skills such as English, writing, editing, proofreading, and office correspondence are covered as well. Often there is practical instruction available on subjects such as setting up a home-based business.

Many programs even arrange internships: students spend a semester working at a local healthcare facility performing real transcription to gain the kind of real-world experience that so many employers prefer.

The AAMT website offers information on beginning and continuing education, CMT certification testing, message boards and forums, job postings and career opportunities, resources for employers, etc. They hold annual membership events and provide support for various congressional initiatives to benefit the industry. The BLS website has a good description of medical transcription, the typical working conditions, employment statistics, etc.. MT Daily is a popular online forum and message board site dedicated to the profession. All of these have further links to other information sites, medical transcription training services, etc. where you can get answers to additional questions you might have. If you are looking for something close to home, check out your local county college.

So the rundown is that you will need some training, you can do this online or at your local college, if you have children, you should be able to get a grant that will pay for 100% of your expenses, even without children you can sometimes get full grants depending on your finances.

Equipment is varied, some training programs include the equipment you will need for the life of your career, so you will not have to get it twice. Be sure to check with the school about what you will need for their specific program and what you will have to return after training. The basic equipment is just a computer, but as you go you will need things like a foot pedal that will help start and stop the tapes as you need to, special software, and headphones. The options are endless, and I have spoken with many people that do this where the company they work for supplies everything, and others that are able to find them at extensive discounts or even free from local schools. Research everything and do not hesitate to ask questions.

Once you finish training, you have alot of options, you can go Doctor to Doctor in your town and work for yourself, or you can work for a company that will send you work, the websites above will have a ton of resources on finding work, as well as what you learn in training.

Posted on Friday, December 29th, 2006 at 10:25 am in Working at Home | rss feed for comments| Leave a response, or trackback