Medical Transcription Schools

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Chicago Medical Transcription Training and Schools

Medical transcription schools in Chicago are very important. To be exact, there are 215 hospitals in the city and Chicago metropolitan area is one of the top ten areas with the highest concentration of medical transcriptionist jobs. These hospitals are always in need of professionals who are trained in medical transcription to transcribe doctors’ notes for health insurance companies, hospital records and court purposes.

What Does Medical Transcription Entail?

Physicians dictate information about their patients’ surgery, therapy, prognosis, examinations, etc. on a tape recorder or medical transcription machine. The medical transcriptionist types them on the computer, usually wearing a headset attached to the machine. Sometimes, the doctors will dictate information over the phone. The resulting medical documents that the transcriptionist types is transmitted electronically to insurance companies and hospitals. Precision and speed are very important because typing the wrong word can cause a setback in the patient’s treatment, medical follow-ups and cure. This delay can be expensive.

Medical Transcription Salary and Education

For an occupation that doesn’t require an undergraduate degree, medical transcription pays well. In Chicago, the annual mean wage is approximately $35,820. Hourly rate usually starts at $15.00 and up. The medical transcriptionist can work at home, in the doctor’s office or in the hospital. In order to work in the field, the transcriptionist must type fast and accurately. He or she should be familiar with medical terminology. The correct spelling for complicated sounding words is crucial.

(Figures courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Employment & Wages database.)

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