Work at Home Moms

Hi there,

I couldn't help but toss in my 2 cents on this one. 

I've been out of the Transcription field for about 10 years, but was a transcriptionist for 10 + prior to putting myself (back) through school and getting a degree in computer programming. 

I think I began hearing the ominous rumors of "voice recognition" stealing our jobs at least halfway through my career.  Honestly, it didn't even concern me because at that time it was obvious the technology was way too expensive (and unreliable) for most major hospitals to even think about trying to implement, much less any smaller independent clinic.

It would be interesting to see how far technology has come in improving reliability and bringing down implementation costs.  I still have a hard time believing that hospitals are all dripping with enough money to spend it on this venture. 

I'd be interested to know which "people" you've been talking to that are discouraging you.  My suggestion, if you haven't done it already, would be to figure out who you would be planning to work for once you got your degree:  A small, independent clinic; local community hospital;  large, university type hospital; or a local or national transcription service that might be catering to any combination of the above.  Send an email or letter to the trascriptionist lead (at hospital), HR Personnel (for a service), or office manager for a clinic, and ask for an "informational" interview (let them know that you are simpy trying to find out more about the profession).  You will want to find out several things:

1) How do they compensate the transcriptionist (by the hour, by the line, by the word or by the character)

2) General pay range (beginning MT to experienced MT)

3) What they know about Voice Recognition Software for Transcription, and whether they know if this is something that their establishment is considering, or how it may have already impacted their business (in the case of the transcription service especially). 

The bottom line, is that the profession is not the hightest paying out there in the world anyhow, but if you are good (and fast), and you are being paid by the line or character, rather than by the hour, you can make some good money.  This may depend quite a bit on where you are located - more rural areas tend to pay less, whereas a big city hospital tends to pay more.  I'm sure there are differences based on different parts of the country as well. 

Really, the above advice would be good before you put your time and money into any new career.

Best of luck to you!

          

 

That's some very good advice.

I do transcribing from home part time.  I probably average $12/hour, which is more than I could make in my area if I had to go out and get a job, and I don't have to take daycare and other costs out of that.  So, it's great for me.  You hear a lot about this whole VR business, and some of my MT friends are doing part straight transcription and part VR work.  The VR systems will never take over what we can do, though.  They will still always need someone to go over those documents.  The company I work for doesn't do ANY VR work at all - it's all straight transcription.  A lot of companies are like that.   Depends upon what you're looking for, really.  Some people I know prefer the VR work over straight - I don't think I would.

You also want to look, though, like I am - at how much you could make, and how much you could make if you got a job outside the home where you live.  The amount I make I do without any expansion program, and with my son here with me, interupting me all the time.  So you could probably make a good amount more.

Good luck with your decision.

Thank you Rebekah for the beautiful siggy!

                   

       

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