Up and UnderMedical Transcription Reference Resources – Where to Get Them to Have a Successful MT Career
As you start to develop an interest in learning more about transcriptionist work, you’ll need to know that there are certain medical transcription reference materials required to complete your experience. If you choose to obtain transcription training, you should be given plenty of books to help you along the way.
Since you’re new, you probably want to know what type of referencing materials you’ll need. Do not worry, there is nothing hard about transcriptionist work. Probably the hardest thing will be actually getting up and applying yourself. Transcription reference materials are what make the job as easy as it is. It is essentially like having all of the answers you need right in front of you all the time.
Obviously the first reference material you’ll need is a medical dictionary. A medical dictionary such as Stedman’s is a book likely owned by all medical transcriptionists. Any website that gives tips for making your career a success always recommends Stedman’s. Fortunately, a lot of training programs provide Stedman’s medical dictionary along with other required study materials.
Online references will also be helpful when you’re studying and working. Websites such as medterms.com, medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com, and dictionary.webmd.com are just three of the online resources you can use when referencing medical terms. The need for medical dictionaries is necessary because not all dictators speak clearly. Starting a career in transcriptionist work requires a thorough understanding of both the medical term and definition in order to avoid any transcribing mistakes.
Another type of transcription reference needed is a group of websites and books that provide medical abbreviations. Typing out the whole word isn’t always necessary, especially when it is a term such as “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease”. Why type out that term every time when you can just type “COPD”? That’s only four keystrokes as opposed to 34! In transcriptionist work, it’s all about typing speed. If you’re typing a report slowly, you’re going to end up making little to nothing at the end of your work week. Saving yourself time and keystrokes is how you make a high medical transcriptionist salary!
Medication lists found in books and websites can also be very helpful transcription references. Your dictator will list medications in almost every report. If you type out the wrong medication, that could mean the difference between life and death for a patient. Websites like rxlist.com and medicinenet.com are just a couple of the websites you can use. Your training facility may also give you a book on medications. If not, you can always go to amazon.com and order the necessary transcription reference materials.
Surfing the online forums is a preferred method for finding out specifically what types of books are needed. Other experienced people who are in transcriptionist work should be able to help you. Another way to find out what specific references are preferred is by asking your training facility, since not all will provide the materials with your program.
In any event, these materials will help you drastically throughout the course of your training and your career. They are the ultimate tools toward assisting you, right beside your computer and foot pedal.