The most common understanding of transcribing involves the act of typing spoken audio into a written document, typically done online.
Although this statement holds some truth, the tasks performed by transcriptionists are actually quite diverse, often necessitating specialized abilities and technical resources. If you possess exceptional listening skills and are a quick typist, pursuing a career as a transcriptionist could be a fitting choice for you. This article will outline the responsibilities and qualifications of transcriptionists, delve into their areas of expertise, and examine the typical salaries they earn.
What does a transcriptionist do
Transcriptionists are responsible for transforming audio or video recordings into written records. In order to excel in this role, it is essential to have a strong command of the English language, excellent listening abilities, and fast typing skills. Fortunately, acquiring most of these skills is achievable through learning.
As a transcriptionist, you have a variety of tasks that involve converting audio meetings, conversations, interviews, speeches, and more into written text. This conversion of audio and video to text also enhances accessibility for individuals who are hearing impaired.
Transcriptionists have the option to work in courtrooms and medical settings, or they can transcribe from home and set their own working hours. This flexibility allows them to choose where and when they work. Additionally, transcribing different topics provides an opportunity to learn new things.
As a transcriptionist, you have the advantage of working independently, thus avoiding the need to interact with superiors, attend phone calls or participate in meetings throughout the day.
The different types of transcriptions
When becoming a transcriptionist, there exist several types of work that you can pursue. Typically, these can be categorized into three primary groups: general transcription, legal transcription, and medical transcription.
If you are new and starting out, the easiest way to begin is by taking on general transcription jobs.
Most of these jobs are easy to obtain and do not require prior work experience. However, if you aspire to become a medical or legal transcriptionist, you will need to possess formal education which may include a combination of college courses, past field experience, and various certifications.
Due to the higher requirements, transcription jobs of this nature typically offer higher compensation.
General transcriptionist
In your role as a general transcriptionist, your job will involve creating various transcriptions for audio and video files. This could include transcribing interviews, podcast episodes, meetings, speeches, focus groups, and other content.
If you think step by step, it is possible for you to get a job as a media transcriptionist and work directly with media companies. Another opportunity is to offer real-time captioning for events and television broadcasts. Real-time captioning tends to come with higher pay as it requires a more challenging skill to acquire.
You can advance your transcriptionist career by becoming a closed captioning transcriptionist, which involves creating transcriptions for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. In addition to transcribing the speakers’ voices, you will also include background noises and more.
Closed captioning jobs typically offer higher pay compared to general transcription jobs.
Legal transcriptionist
To begin a career as a legal transcriptionist, it is necessary to acquire a certificate or license which provides education in legal terms, definitions, and procedures. Legal transcriptionists, also known as court reporters, are responsible for transcribing legal proceedings such as trials and depositions.
The majority of legal transcriptionists typically work in-person at a law office, courtroom, or other legal environments. Nonetheless, in certain instances, there may be the opportunity to work from a remote location. Law enforcement agencies may also hire legal transcriptionists to transcribe witness statements, 911 calls, and other related materials.
Medical transcriptionist
Medical transcriptionists are responsible for converting videos or audio from doctors and healthcare professionals into written documents and reports. While these positions can be remote, they are typically held at a doctor’s office, lab, or hospital.
Typically, in order to work as a medical transcriptionist, one needs to have certification, a license, or prior experience in a medical office. Given that you will be employed in a medical office, it is crucial to have knowledge on patient confidentiality as well as medical terminology, procedures, and various other aspects.
Sometimes medical professionals will use transcription software to create the first draft of an audio file, then give this to a medical transcriptionist to edit the document and improve the accuracy.
Real-time transcription
When working as a real-time transcriptionist, it becomes necessary to type live audio, precisely capturing spoken words. This type of transcription typically involves live events like speeches, performances, shows, or meetings.
Transcribers in this field often possess excellent typing skills because live speakers typically communicate quickly with few pauses. To record speech, a transcriptionist may use specialized equipment for stenography. When it comes to real-time transcription, high levels of accuracy in both writing and listening are often necessary.
Although a university degree is not always mandatory for the role of a real-time transcriptionist, employers might have a preference for candidates holding a degree in literature, media, journalism, or communications.
These degrees indicate that the person is probably proficient in writing and time management. It is also probable that achieving a secondary school diploma and gaining experience in transcription would be enough.
How to become a transcriptionist
Now that you possess a comprehensive comprehension of the requirements to become a transcriptionist, let us now delve into a detailed procedure outlining how to become a transcriptionist without any prior experience.
1. Choose your transcription type and niche
The initial step you should take is to determine the specific area you will begin in. If you are just starting out, general transcription can be an effective and efficient method to quickly commence and assess your interest in the task. Additionally, you can explore various types of transcription, such as podcast episodes, meeting notes, audiobooks, academic research, speeches, and other possibilities.
Alternatively, you can consider taking advanced training and choosing a career path as a medical or legal transcriptionist. It is important to also ponder if you want to dedicate yourself full-time to this profession or if you prefer engaging in it as a part-time endeavor alongside other commitments.
2. Get faster at typing and improve your skills
One important skill you will need to cultivate as a transcriptionist is typing. The ability to type faster and with more accuracy will lead to higher earnings. Obtaining your initial typing speed score can be done by utilizing tools such as Free Typing Test. The more you practice typing and hone your skills, the quicker you will become.
In addition to its transcription platform, GoTranscript offers resources to help you enhance your transcription speed. Another option to accelerate your skill growth is by investing in premium courses. Here, we present two excellent choices for you.
At Udemy, there are various transcription courses available that encompass topics such as work from home transcription, medical transcription, captioning, and others.
The Transcription Certification Institute is an organization that provides training, a guaranteed internship, and access to a premium job board.
3. Attend a training course
If you decide to specialize in transcription, you may need to undergo formal training, which can be obtained through an education or certification course. TAFE, for instance, provides a Certification in Medical Transcription. Another option is to pursue a college or university degree in court reporting, legal transcription, medicinal transcription, or communications, as it can adequately prepare you for a career in this field.
4. Gain experience
One way to demonstrate your expertise and experience to potential employers in the industry is by creating a portfolio. To gain experience opportunities in transcription jobs, consider using the Indeed Job Board to search online.
If you are looking to enhance your portfolio, you can apply for voluntary work or internships. This period can be utilized to improve your proficiency in typing, grammar, and spelling. Strengthening these capabilities can prove advantageous in securing additional transcription-related opportunities.
5. Build an online network
If you have a successful and diverse portfolio, utilize the internet to showcase your work and connect with others in the industry. Engaging on social media can keep you informed about the latest industry news, provide training opportunities, and offer valuable transcription tips from fellow experts. Additionally, networking with other transcribers can provide you with feedback on your work.
6. Apply for jobs
If you have developed your skills and gained experience, you may begin to feel more confident about applying for full-time transcription jobs at this stage.
To find transcription jobs online, you can use the Indeed Job Board and search for positions or companies based on your preferences using keywords. Additionally, you can filter the jobs by location by entering your current or prospective postcode. Another option is considering freelance transcription work, which typically offers more control over your working hours and allows you to have a wider selection of duties.
