A certified medical transcriptionist is a specialist in medical language and healthcare documentation that interprets and transcribes dictation by physicians and other healthcare professionals regarding patient assessment workup, therapeutic procedures, clinical course, diagnosis, prognosis, etc.  They edit dictated material for grammar and clarity as necessary and appropriate.  This includes editing machine-translated text, which may be challenging based on the capabilities of the speech recognition software.  The primary skills necessary are extensive medical knowledge and understanding, sound judgment, deductive reasoning, and the ability to detect medical inconsistencies in dictation.  They must be aware of all standards and requirements that apply to the medical record, as well as the legal significance of medical transcripts. 

Areas of Specialization
Medical reports take many forms, including histories and physical examinations, progress reports, emergency room notes, consultations, operative reports, discharge summaries, clinic notes, referral letters, radiology reports, pathology reports, and an array of documentation spanning medical specialties and subspecialties.  Due to increased use of voice recognition technology and the Electronic Health Record, specialization can develop for those who are prepared for an electronic culture that focuses on velocity of information need, efficiency, quality monitoring and accountability.  The advancement for those who can determine data quality requirements, develop data tracking and monitoring systems, and improve processes that use and create data is unlimited.  A certified medical transcriptionist may concentrate on any or all of the above areas.

Work Environment
Certified medical transcriptionists may work in a variety of healthcare settings.  They may work in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, transcription service companies, insurance companies, home healthcare agencies, or in their homes as independent contractors, subcontractors, or home-based employees.  They may work with physicians, pharmacists, therapists, technicians, nurses, dietitians, social workers, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals.

Advancement
Qualified certified medical transcriptionists who wish to expand their professional responsibilities may choose to become department heads, supervisors, managers, or owners of medical transcription services.  The advancement for those who can determine data quality requirements, develop data tracking and monitoring systems, and improve processes that use and create data is unlimited.  Experienced certified medical transcriptionists may teach in schools and colleges, educating future certified medical transcriptionists.