Medical transcriptionist job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Medical transcriptionist in details. A complete job description concludes Medical transcriptionist key duties/responsibilities, Medical transcriptionist job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

                           

              I.      List of Medical transcriptionist duties:

1.        Receive dictation from physicians or other health care professionals, increasingly over the Internet;

2.        Listen to recordings on a headset;

3.        Key text into a personal computer or word processor;

4.        Produce discharge summaries, history and physical examination reports, operative reports, consultation reports, autopsy reports, diagnostic imaging studies, progress notes, and referral letters.;

5.        Edit materials for grammar and clarity, if necessary;

6.        Look for inconsistencies and errors in reports and check with the physician or healthcare professional in order to correct them;

7.        Sometimes use voice recognition software which translates dictation into written text and creates reports which they must then edit for mistakes in translation and grammar; and

8.        Return transcribed documents to the physicians or other healthcare professionals who dictated them for review and signature, or correction.

          II.      List of Medical transcriptionist qualifications

1.      Minimum education level of associate degree or equivalent in work experience and continuing education.

2.      Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, clinical medicine, surgery, diagnostic tests, radiology, pathology, pharmacology, and the various medical specialties as required in areas of responsibility.

3.      Knowledge of medical transcription guidelines and practices.

4.      Excellent written and oral communication skills, including English usage, grammar, punctuation, and style.

5.      Ability to understand diverse accents and dialects and varying dictation styles.

6.      Ability to use designated reference materials.

7.      Ability to operate designated word processing, dictation, and transcription  equipment, and other equipment as specified.

8.      Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

9.      Ability to work under pressure with time constraints.

10.  Ability to concentrate.

11.  Excellent listening skills.

12.  Excellent eye, hand, and auditory coordination.

13.  Certified medical transcriptionist (CMT) status preferred.

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.