Any Transcriptionists here?

[kimandkathess]

As some of you may have read round the HCW forums, I am in need of a career change.

I was looking into retail but am not quite sure about that.

I have also been looking in to becoming a transcriptionist.

I was wondering if any of you on here did this.

I know the basics of what you need.
- Foot pedal (not sure what one is the best though)
-Noise cancelling headset for better hearing
-audio/video transcription software (express scribe is best I heard)
-Word processor (microsoft word)

I know I need to brush up on my grammer/puncuation rules.

I was just wondering how others like doing this? I love typing! I went to college for office Technology.

What sites do you guys recomend?

Is there a set number of sites you work from so you don't overwork yourself?

How many hrs do you work?

Do most sites have a set pay rate or do you give them a rate you want? or both?

How exactly does the foot pedal thing work? I am assuming it plugs in probably to your usb, and that its compatable with the transcribing software mentioned earlier?

Do you guys really make a good income with this? I would love to do this full time. Right now I work out of my home running a daycare. But with many people losing their jobs I am not doing so well.

Thanks so much for any and all help!!

[thecooperhouse]

I did the medical transcriptionist program thru the vo-tech. I got everythign done, but couldn't never find a job. Every single job opening wanted experience and wouldn't hire some one with out experience!!

I tried to apply to some of the online places but none of them panned out.

Medical transcription may be on its way to non-existence now though with digital medical records. Some of the drs I worked for just typed everything as they worked and skipped dictation. And for those that dictate - there are now programs that type the info right into the computer and they can sign electronically.

Some people think its going away, but there are still some who say it will be around forever. But its defiantly something to think about!

[motherofmolly]

i looked into taking the classes too...but saw all the online jobs want experience. and the only place i know that they do on the job was at the police dept. and those were the secretaries typing the detectives reports from the dictation. instead, i decided to take web design. hoping that i can do some side jobs and some work for myself on a web site that way.