The medical field is thriving, all related jobs are on the upswing making this industry one of the steadiest career choices. One career choice that does not directly deal with patients, but is still an integral part of healthcare is a medical transcriber. This position entails translating medical documents, transcribing audio, and creating billing codes for insurance and individual responsibility. Medical transcription is an excellent career choice that does not require a lot of schooling before being able to enter the field.

Here’s what you’ll need for a career in medical transcription:

1. A high school diploma
To begin with, a high school education is required for this career. Additionally, there are medical transcriptionist programs available online and in-person. These programs range from 6 months to two years. A certificate, diploma, and associate’s degree are the educational options for prospective students. Optional, but highly recommended, certification can be attained through a national exam.

2. College education
Online medical transcriptionist programs offer a flexible learning path. Students can learn and study from the comfort of their own home. This is especially helpful for working adults with many existing responsibilities. On the contrary, it is up to the student to push themselves to learn and practice more so than brick-and-mortar learning environments. Traditional or online classrooms will teach very similar curriculums. Medical terminology, coding, and general transcription are just a few of the areas that will all be covered in-depth. The goal of any medical transcriptionist programs is to fully prepare students for their new career.

3. Job outlook
Medical transcribers are in high demand in the healthcare industry. Hospitals, doctor’s offices, and nursing homes are just a few of the many potential employers where graduates can find work. Experience comes from working and it honed through time and practice. There are work-from-home jobs available for this career, but those employers typically require at least a few years of experience to even apply. A remote job can be a goal for new transcribers.

4. Wages
The wages are competitive, especially for experienced individuals. The median wage was approximately $32K in 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor. These positions can be found all across the country. Online job boards and local help wanted outlets are excellent sources to find open positions for program graduates looking to enter the field.

Anyone with a high school diploma or GED can pursue a career in the healthcare industry as a medical transcriber. Students can earn a diploma, certificate, or associate’s degree in medical transcription either online or in a traditional classroom. Students learn medical terminology, coding, and more relevant information for future job requirements. The optional national certification test can help graduates stand out when job hunting. A career as a medical transcriptionist is an excellent way to work in the healthcare field without directly working with patients and can potentially lead to the ultimate flexible job as a remote worker.