Medical transcriptionist
Also known as: medical transcriptionist and proof reader, medical transcription suite typist, clinical transcriber, clinical transcription typist, clinical transcription suite typist, medical secretary-audio typist
About this occupation
Medical transcriptionists interpret dictated information from the doctor or other healthcare professionals and convert it into documents. They create, format and edit medical records for patients based on the provided data and take care to apply punctuation and grammar rules.
Essential skills and knowledge
- manage digital archives
- edit dictated medical texts
- medical terminology
- grammar
- follow given instructions
- archive healthcare users' records
- health records management
- database
- use electronic health records management system
- apply organisational techniques
- apply grammar and spelling rules
- transcribe medical data
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Medical Transcriptionists (O*NET 31-9094.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Return dictated reports in printed or electronic form for physician's review, signature, and corrections and for inclusion in patients' medical records.
- Produce medical reports, correspondence, records, patient-care information, statistics, medical research, and administrative material.
- Identify mistakes in reports and check with doctors to obtain the correct information.
- Review and edit transcribed reports or dictated material for spelling, grammar, clarity, consistency, and proper medical terminology.
- Transcribe dictation for a variety of medical reports, such as patient histories, physical examinations, emergency room visits, operations, chart reviews, consultation, or discharge summaries.
- Distinguish between homonyms and recognize inconsistencies and mistakes in medical terms, referring to dictionaries, drug references, and other sources on anatomy, physiology, and medicine.
- Typical education (US)
- Post-Secondary Certificate
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Conventional, Social, Investigative
Top skills: Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Monitoring, Speaking, Critical Thinking
US median pay: US$40,410 a year (2025), 41,550 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageExtremely important (4.5)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.8)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Post-Secondary Certificate
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Medical Records Specialists
- Word Processors and Typists
- Medical Assistants
- Emergency Medical Technicians
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars
- File Clerks
- Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
- Receptionists and Information Clerks
- Pharmacy Technicians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.