In our Practice Management Nugget series on February 26, 2015, we spoke with Loralie Euverman, CHIM, Associate Chair, Medical Transcription Program, School of Health, NAIT. We talked about the skills that a medical transcriptionist learns in their training program and how a medical transcriptionist can provide value to your primary healthcare team.
Tweet This – Loralie’s #1 Tip:
Medical transcriptionists are multi-skilled, multi-dimensional, untapped resource in health care
Medical Transcriptionists training includes medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, diagnostic investigations, office productivity software, and, of course, medical transcription. Individuals with these skills work in many settings including hospitals, laboratories, medical insurance companies, medical research facilities, and private primary health care practices.
What is the traditional workflow for a dictation / transcription service?
Author dictates to an audio device. Transcriptionist listens to the audio and transcribe into written format. The author reviews, edits, and authorizes the transcribed report. The transcriptionist might also be responsible for the distribution of the report.
What are alternate workflows?
Medical transcriptionist may work with many different workflows and technology.
- Editor – the author dictates and the audio is interpreted by voice to text speech recognition software, the medical transcriptionist provides quality assurance to the transcribed report, direct the transcribed report to the author for authentication.
- Medical Scribe – the transcriptionist / scribe accompanies the health care provider during the examination or treatment, record the health care provider’s observations.
- Transcribe written notes – the author scribbles a notation in paper, the transcriptionist transfers the information into a standard typed report or referral letter.
What other tasks could a medical transcriptionist do in primary care practice?
- Referral co-ordinator
- Research assistant
- Relief to other administration roles
- Executive assistant to health care providers
- Reception / scheduling
- Managing templates in EMR systems
- Medical document editor
- Documentation / policies / procedures / manuals
- And so much more!
How do I hire a medical transcriptionist?
Medical transcriptionists can be employed in primary care practices in full or part-time employment position. Medical transcriptionists can also be hired on contract or out-sourcing on an as-needed basis. A transcriptionist will need a standard office workstation with computer and word processing software (MS Word), and transcriber station (head phone, transcriber foot pedal). If you are using an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) the transcriptionist may be able to transcribe directly into the EMR while working at the clinic or from a remote office.
Looking for an employee with keyboarding, skilled in office productivity software, knowledge of medical terminology, self-starter? Consider a Medical Transcriptionist!
Follow the links for more information about the NAIT MT program or salaries for MT.
Medical Transcription Program – NAIT
Alberta Government Information Services (ALIS)
Practice Management Nugget webinar interview with Loralie Euverman, recorded live on Thursday February 25, 2015.
The replay of this interview is now available when you are a member of Information Managers Network. Try out a Trial Membership to access this Practice Management Nugget interview and other webinar replays and resources. And if you’re already a member, just log-in and enjoy!
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