Qualified medical transcriptionists who wish to expand their professional responsibilities may become quality assurance specialists, supervisors, managers, department heads, or owners of medical transcription businesses. Experienced medical transcriptionists may become teachers, working in schools and colleges to educate future medical transcriptionists. Many popular publications sing the praises of medical transcription as a home business, citing the potential for high income with little investment. Courses in medical transcription are proliferating, some offering quick fixes for students interested in becoming business owners. However, we must caution the prospective medical transcriptionist that failure to make the investment in quality education can result not only in business failure but also in shoddy documentation for the most important client the patient.
Medical transcription is a medical language specialty.
The transcriptionist working from home must make a significant investment in equipment and reference materials and be willing to make frequent updates to both in order to keep up with rapidly changing technology and terminology. Careful planning and the advice of legal and financial experts are essential to the success of a home-based business. AAMT advises that the individual considering a home-based medical transcription business first gain experience in a healthcare facility or transcription business under the direction of experienced and qualified medical transcriptionists. It is necessary to understand sound business practices as well. Medical transcription provides unlimited intellectual challenge and the opportunity to make a unique contribution to quality health care and service.