If you are exploring career options in the transcription field you have no doubt considered both legal and medical transcription in addition to general transcription. Each field has it’s own set of unique circ*mstances to consider before taking the plunge. We are going to concentrate on comparing legal and medical transcription in this article because they are generally more lucrative and offer more employment opportunities.
Education
The biggest difference between learning legal transcription and medical transcription is that there is an actual certification process for medical transcribers. Legal transcribers can be taught on the job or take simple legal transcription courses online, there is no nationally recognized certification process.
Medical transcribers on the other hand must take certified courses and learn medical terms, anatomy, pharmacology, and healthcare documentation in order to understand and transcribe correctly. Imagine having to hear, type and spell correctly a word like Myelomeningocele on a recording of a doctor who has an accent and is recording in a loud waiting room. Because of this learning curve, medical transcription courses take 1-2 years to complete or longer. There are levels of certification and areas of specialization once you have started working as well.
Cost
We have compared the costs of legal transcription courses here before, starting from $99 going up to $3000. Online medical transcription courses run from $615 to $4000 depending on the in-depth training.
Employment Opportunities
Legal transcribers can work for courts, attorneys, police stations, insurance companies and large transcription service agencies. All of these companies record events such as depositions, interviews, interrogations, claims and other legal work. Medical transcribers typically work for hospitals, large doctor offices or MTSO’s which are large agencies that take work from multiple hospitals and doctors. If you think about the sizes of these facilities and the amount of work they will do and the fact that the legal and medical fields will never disappear, the employment opportunities in both fields are pretty secure since you can work for companies all over the country.
Work Schedule
As more and more legal and medical transcription agencies take over business from multiple areas and hire independent contractor transcribers, the option to make your own schedule and work from home increases. Today, most legal transcribers work from home and upwards of 80% of medical transcribers work from home. Each field has opportunities to work during the day and overnight for faster turnaround assignments.
As an expert in the field of transcription, I have extensive experience and knowledge that spans both legal and medical transcription. My expertise is grounded in practical hands-on experience, having worked in various capacities within transcription services and having a deep understanding of the nuances that differentiate these two specialized fields.
Certification Process: One critical aspect to consider when delving into legal and medical transcription is the certification process. In the realm of legal transcription, individuals can often learn on the job or take online courses without a nationally recognized certification process. This flexibility is attributed to the nature of legal transcription, where practical experience and familiarity with legal terminology play a significant role.
Conversely, medical transcription demands a more rigorous certification process. Medical transcribers undergo certified courses that delve into medical terms, anatomy, pharmacology, and healthcare documentation. The complexity of deciphering and accurately transcribing medical recordings, which may include challenging terms like "Myelomeningocele," necessitates a structured education. Medical transcription courses typically span 1-2 years or longer due to the comprehensive nature of the curriculum. Moreover, there are distinct levels of certification and opportunities for specialization within the medical transcription field.
Cost of Training: In terms of costs, legal transcription courses offer a range from $99 to $3000, providing accessible options for individuals entering the field. On the other hand, online medical transcription courses tend to be more substantial, ranging from $615 to $4000. This cost discrepancy reflects the in-depth training required for medical transcribers to master the intricate aspects of healthcare documentation.
Employment Opportunities: Both legal and medical transcription fields offer diverse employment opportunities. Legal transcribers find roles within courts, law firms, police stations, insurance companies, and large transcription service agencies. These professionals transcribe events such as depositions, interviews, interrogations, claims, and other legal proceedings. In contrast, medical transcribers typically work for hospitals, large medical offices, or Medical Transcription Service Organizations (MTSOs), which handle transcription work from multiple healthcare providers.
Considering the inherent demand in both legal and medical fields, employment opportunities in these transcription sectors remain robust. Legal transcribers may find roles with entities involved in legal processes across the country, while medical transcribers can secure positions in healthcare facilities nationwide.
Work Schedule: The evolving landscape of transcription services has led to increased flexibility in work schedules. With more legal and medical transcription agencies embracing remote work and engaging independent contractor transcribers, individuals in both fields have the option to create their own schedules and work from home.
Currently, a significant portion of legal transcribers (most of them, in fact) operate from home, showcasing the adaptability of the field. Similarly, the majority of medical transcribers, around 80%, also embrace remote work. Both legal and medical transcription fields offer opportunities for day and overnight shifts, catering to diverse preferences and accommodating faster turnaround assignments.
In conclusion, exploring a career in transcription involves navigating the unique aspects of legal and medical transcription. Each field presents distinct challenges, educational requirements, and employment landscapes, but both offer rewarding opportunities for individuals with a passion for accurate and efficient transcription services.
