Working as a transcriptionist is a great way to
telecommute or work from home. Transcription simply means that
you take spoken word and transcribe it into a written document.
The person you are doing the transcription for usually speaks
on a tape or records his voice as a digital file and then sends
it to you. You simply type what you hear.
Of course there is software and hardware out there
that will make the job easier by allowing you to slow down the
recording you are transcribing.
Different Types of Transcription Positions
Medical Transcription
Medical transcription is probably the most common
and best know type of transcription. Doctors and other medical
staff record their comments and notes about a patient. The transcriptionist
then transcribes the recording and the written document is added
to the patients file.
As a medical transcriptionist you should have
a good understanding of medical terminology and their spelling.
While a degree or course in medical transcription is not required,
especially if you are working for smaller doctors’ offices,
it does help to gain more lucrative contacts and of course prepares
you for the work ahead.
Legal Transcription
Almost everything in legal proceedings is recorded
from interviews between attorneys and clients to actual trials.
Many of the minor recordings are often outsourced to someone doing
transcription from home. You could work for a few lawyers and
turn their recordings into written documents that can be added
to their client’s files. As with medical transcription,
there is quite a bit of specialized terminology, in this case
legal lingo that you will come across when doing legal transcription.
Previous experience in the field of law, or taking a class or
home study course will help prepare you for your work as a legal
transcriptionist.
Business
There is an increasing need for transcription
in the business world. In addition to the traditional letter dictating
work that you can pick up, there is an increasing demand for transcriptionists
that will turn teleconferences and online meetings into written
documents. It seems that almost any online business owner these
days is holding teleseminars or teleconferences these days to
communicate with both customers and business partners. While many
people appreciate the option of listening to information, there
are also quite a few who prefer to read a transcript of the call.
You could stay busy just transcribing for a few online business
owners, or work as a secretary taking dictations for a few traditional
business owners in your area.
If you have good typing skills, transcription
may be a great way for you to telecommute. Start with some general
business or teleconference type jobs. If transcription is something
you enjoy doing, it may be worth your wile to take a class or
course to prepare you for medical or legal transcription, both
of which require extensive knowledge of special terms in the respective
field.
Nell Taliercio is the owner and founder of www.TelecommutingMoms.com
– which is a leading resource website with work at home
jobs and everything a telecommuting mom would need. Come visit
us today!
