If you want to become a medical transcriptionist, you need to start with finding out if you and the profession suit each other. You have to find out if you have the required aptitude. Here is a list of skills the job requires:

• Good hearing skills
• Excellent command over the English language
• Willingness to learn new things everyday
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to meet deadlines everyday

You also need to makes sure you are aware of the challenges in the profession, apart from its benefits. Even if you have the aptitude, you may not be interested in the nature job. So, make sure you understand all the aspects of the profession before deciding to join it.

Once you have decided you want to be a medical transcriptionist, start looking for a good medical transcription training institute. When deciding on a course, make sure you choose the one that offers the following:

• Subjects that comply with the COMPRO (Competency profile for medical transcription) guidelines
• Instructors that have wide experience in the medical transcription industry
• Sufficient number of hours of authentic dictations to practice with
• Job assistance on completion of the training

Next, create your medical transcription resume. Ask your instructors to review the resume. Ask them if you can put their names as your references.

Now, with you resume ready, start applying for medical transcription jobs. Don’t just depend on the newspaper classifieds for jobs; search on the internet. Read the instructions carefully before applying for a job. Make sure you send your resume in the format requested by the company you are applying to.

The process of becoming a medical transcriptionist is not easy but it is defined. We wish you all the luck for your career!