Aren't Medical Transcriptionists Glorified Typists?

There is the view that a medical transcriptionist is just a glorified typist, someone who takes dictation, types letters and that's it. Nothing could be further from the truth.

A medical transcriptionist must have excellent spelling and grammar skills, oral communication skills, great research skills, familiarity with medical terminology and some medical knowledge would be helpful. It is more than just a typing position. It is an integral part of a patient's care team and a doctor's or hospital's medical staff.

Medical transcriptionists are highly respected professionals who keep doctors and hospital administrators out of trouble.

One of the ways that medical transcriptionists prove their value to the patient care team is in the way that she documents medical events. The medical transcriptionist must ensure that all medical documents within her care are accurate. That means going beyond the typewritten page and verifying the factual nature of data and researching incomplete information to provide a more full report when necessary.

It is because of her English proficiency and research skills that medical transcriptionists are paid so well. There's more to it than typing letters.