8 DEFINITIVE SKILLS REQUIRED IN MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONISTS

Medical transcriptionists need to have certain key skill-sets to be successful in medical transcription domain. In this article; we look at distinct skill-sets required by medical transcriptionists in medical transcription business.

Medical transcriptionbusiness is expanding on a daily basis. We are already seeing a lot of demand for specialized services of medical transcriptionists in the market. There are several skill sets required for a medical transcriptionist to be successful in their profession. Let us look at these skills individually:

• Exceptional control over grammar, spelling and punctuation: Medical transcriptionist should have exceptional spelling skills. It is always recommended for the medical transcriptionist to have a dictionary with them but do not ponder over the words excessively; because most probably they are paid for the amount they type. Good grammar skills and punctuation marks will give them an edge over their competitors.


• Concentration for longer period of time: A medical transcriptionist needs to sit in front of computers for longer period of time. Good focus on the transcribed document can reduce the number of mistakes in the patient’s medical report. Mistakes can endanger the lives of patients hence; proper care needs to be taken while transcribing the document.


• Work without supervision and stay motivated: Sometimes medical transcriptionists need to work from home. At that point, it becomes very important for them to stay motivated so that they can work without any supervision. Turnaround time for the reports need to be met; as a report is due in only one or two hours after it is dictated.


• Exceptional research skills: A medical transcriptionist must have excellent research skills. They should not only have the right reference books, but they should also be able to pick the right book quickly. The medical transcriptionist should be able to find hospitals and physicians; in case if there is any spelling mistake or abbreviations.


• Above average typing skills: Good typing skills are must for an excellent medical transcriptionist. Without typing speed it becomes very difficult for the medical transcriptionist to complete their targets and get the desired career results.


• A good memory: Medical transcriptionists need to have a good memory. It is not possible for them to stop every now and then to look for things and yet be accurate.


• Desire for continuous education: Medical transcriptionist need to continuously update themselves with new medications, new surgical instruments, and even new diseases. There are always new things to learn everyday in the medical transcription field. Hence, medical transcriptionist need to regularly update themselves with new revisions.


• Learn new languages and accents: With the advancement in technology, medical transcriptionists need to prepare transcriptions for doctors residing in different regions and different accents. The more accustomed the medical transcriptionist is; the better changes of growth are available to them.

Medical transcriptionists need to have passion for words, curiosity for meaning and desire to continuously grow in this demanding field. A global medical transcription company will always recruit the best medical transcriptionists after evaluating the necessary skill-sets specified above.

RULES AND REGULATIONS TO BE FOLLOWED BY MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONISTS

Medical transcriptionists need to follow some codes of ethics forprotecting the privacy and confidentiality of the patient information. In thisarticle; we look at these codes of ethics and understand how they affect themedical transcriptionists.

Medicaltranscription business is a highly demanding affair which deals withprotecting the personal information of patients in a highly secure manner. The codes of ethics have been designed insuch a manner that they are applicable to healthcare in general and medicaltranscription in particular.

The Association for HealthcareDocumentation Integrity (AHDI) initially developed these codes of ethics forits members. Now these guidelines work as a framework for medical transcriptioncompanies.

Let us now look at some of therules and regulations laid by AHDI which help medical transcriptionists inproviding quality services to the clients:

• Confidentiality of patient information: Confidentiality of patient information is of paramount importance to medical transcription companies. It includes peer reviews, quality improvement and risk management protocols with special effort to maintain data security in electronic communications.


• Maintain standards of professional transcription practice: Proper implementation and maintenance of standards for professional transcription practice.


• Accurate and timely information: Always strive to provide accurate and timely information.


• Compliance with rules and regulations for patient documentation: Compliance with all laws, rules, regulations and standards governing practice of patient documentation.


• Exercise integrity in professional practices: Always strive for professional practices including work or professional experience, credentials, affiliations, productivity reporting, billing charges and payment practices.


• Respect the rights and dignity of all individuals: Every individual has a unique thing to offer. Hence; it is very important to understand the needs of every individual and respect their rights and dignity.


• Encourage work environment which promotes integrity and professionalism amongst employees: Create a working environment where employees are thorough professionals facilitating integrity and protecting personal information of the patients.

Medical transcription business ismore than just converting voice files into typewritten documents. A simpleerror can even cause death of a patient. Hence; it is very important for medical transcriptioncompanies to train their employees beforehand so that they can providethe services as per the guidelines provided by The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI).

FIVE ASTONISHING THINGS TO EXPECT FROM A MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION SERVICE

Selecting a good medical transcription company is not a cake walk. There are certain aspects which make or break the transcription services. In this article; we look at some of the primary aspects of medical transcription service which are inevitable for the successful delivery of transcribed documents.

Medical transcription companies provide lot of different services to their clients. However, there are certain basic services which predominantly exist in all transcription services. Let us look at some of the core features that you can expect from a good medical transcription company:

• Quality: One mistake that clients make while selecting a medical transcription company is over-emphasizing on the fact of cost and features of medical transcription service. But they ignore the basic criteria of transcription quality. Often this results in lot of corrections and errors. Hence; there is a need for a synchronized effort comprising of different quality aspects which results in delivering effective medical transcription service:

• Process: Pay attention to the processes followed by the medical transcription company. Most of the transcription companies enumerate their transcription processes on their websites. Others will gladly explain the process if you call and ask them about it.


• Accuracy: Always ask for the accuracy of the transcribed document. Please note that the average rate of accuracy in transcription industry is 98.5%. Always compare this figure with the accuracy rate provided by transcription company.


• Corrections: Please note that transcription companies should not charge you for the corrections. In fact they should have a clear process for handling corrections. If the transcription company does not have a pre-defined process for handling corrections then it is always advisable not to go ahead with the contract.


• Patient Name Errors: These are some common errors which occur during the transcription process. Clarify with the transcription company whether they have a clear process for avoiding and correcting these errors.

• Turnaround Time: Generally medical transcription companies provide 24 hours turnaround time to their clients. There are certain companies which provide medical transcription services in even lesser time but with some additional charges. Always note that a shorter turnaround time does not guarantee quality transcription. Select turnaround time which suits your needs instead of shortest turnaround time with lowest price.


• Reputation & References: Always ask for references from the medical transcription companies irrespective of their establishment. Remember that your basic objective of asking for references is to understand whether the medical transcription company can provide the desired services in respect to your dictation speed and accent. Ask for references of clients who are currently using such services, so that you can get a clear picture of the capability of the transcription company.


• Electronic records and compatibility:Documentation in electronic format has become quite essential nowadays. Hence; it is always advisable to confirm with the medical transcription company if they can provide the documentation in electronic format directly into eMR. Please note that MS Word and RTF format documents are most popular and will have the best support in Electronic Record Systems.


• Hidden Costs: Hidden costs are costs which are not disclosed by the medical transcription company. Some of the common hidden costs include:

• Line Definitions: Always ask the medical transcription company about the number of characters or key strokes in a line. Normally a line constitutes of 50 to 65 characters or key strokes. This is an industry norm for a line definition. Even blank lines and lines with single words will be charged.


• Minimum volume contracts: Avoid contracts that specify minimum number of billable lines per month. This is very important because if in case you do not use the transcription service for that given billing cycle you will still end up paying for the services that you did not use.


• Additional charges for corrections: Reputed medical transcription companies do not charge correction fees for errors. Ensure that there are no charges levied on correction of errors.

A good medical transcription company will see to it that the transcription services are provided with utmost care in minimal time. They also ensure that the quality of the transcribed documents is as per the industry standards.