They may also supervise other stenographers, typists, and clerical workers. Technical stenographers must know the medical, legal, and engineering or scientific terminology used in a particular profession. For example, medical transcriptionists listen to doctors' audio recordings and use typewriters or word processors to transcribe what they hear into the proper printed format. Transcriptionists must be medical language specialists and familiar with patient assessment, therapeutic procedures, diagnoses, and prognoses. In addition to transcribing letters, reports, and the like, they may have other clerical duties.
Court reporters record all statements made in an official proceeding.
They take down all statements at speeds of approximately 200 words per minute and present their record as the official transcript. Because there is only one person creating an official transcript, accuracy is vitally important. Court reporters often use stenotype machines to record statements made in official proceedings. Still others record the proceedings in the U.S. Congress, in State and local governing bodies, and in government agencies at all levels. Some reporters still dictate notes on magnetic tapes that a typist can transcribe later.