Transcription: An Opportunity For You

For many, transcription work is a life saver. It is good work. It is a job that is likely to be needed for a long time. And, it provides you with the flexibility that you need. Some times, transcription can be done from home. Other times, it can only be done through the use of specific computers at a location. Nonetheless, there are some things that you will need to do in order to get a job in transcription.

While many places on the web would like you to think that there are endless opportunities for individuals looking for transcription work, the fact is that there are only a few and those that are out there want skilled individuals. There are some opportunities available to those who want to do transcription from their homes, but again, these companies want individuals who are trained. You may find that many companies offer the work to you to do at home if you have the necessary equipment as well as the necessary skills.

So, how do you get the skills that you need for transcription? You can get them on the web or in a traditional school setting. On the web, you can learn how to transcribe at various online schools. Many universities carry this field and help you to get job placement as well. If you really would like to get into transcription, you can do so simply by getting into the right schools to start with.

But, remember that there are no guarantees in transcription either. Many companies may have openings now, but that does not mean that they will down the line. In many cases, you are likely to find companies that offer only a small amount of work to you. Although there are jobs available in transcription, you will need to be high quality, skilled and willing to work hard to get and keep them.

For more information please see http://www.transcription-corner.co.uk

Medical Transcription - Does Voice Recognition Replace the Need for Typing?

A few years ago we thought typing was passé. We would no longer have to struggle with typing. And our children may not have to learn how to type anymore. My aged mother was thrilled because she never learned to type and thought this was the answer to her prayers. Typing, at last, was on the trash heap of technology, because of this "new and improved" invention ... Voice Recognition Software.

Did voice recognition come to pass? Well not exactly! In fact, voice recognition technology has been a great disappointment.

If you have ever used voice recognition software on cell phones, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Not only do you have to train the cell phone to recognize your voice but you have to interface with the name in your address book as you say it.

It hasn't been very dependable. The success rate of this feature has been less than steller and for the most part very frustrating. Often you have to repeat (or yell) the name over and over to initiate the call (most times resorting to dialing it yourself).

Similarly, voice recognition software for the computer promised to be a panacea to those who were "keyboard challenged" but it too has fallen short of the promises.

Most doctors thought that voice recognition would eliminate the need to outsource medical transcription. Not so! Most don't have the time nor the patience to "train" the voice recognition software. If you are tempted to try it, expect a long learning curve.

If you would only use your computer in a closed silent room, never have a cold or other voice altering condition, and don't have an accent, voice recognition software would work and be fabulous most of the time. But how often are you in that situation? The conditions in my life are never perfect for voice recognition. I am either talking on the phone with my children or husband, or in the room with the radio or TV. Thunder, lighting, hail and petulance, there is always something disturbing my silence. When working at my laptop I maybe at Starbucks, the airport or a restaurant, all very noisy places affecting voice recognition software.

The ability to type quickly and accurately is crucial for everyday life. Typing speed will affect how fast you can do research, surf the Web, write papers, and save time in school and the rest of their life! Every job requires typing skills.

Typing is important for school work starting as early as elementary grade level. Life will be a lot easier for your children if they learn correct typing techniques at a young age. Did you now that typing has been shown to improve spelling, writing, language skills, and grades.

Maybe in the future someone will perfect a voice recognition system that can be used in our noisy lives…but now… Happy Typing!

Pam Connolly is a professional educator with the San Diego School District. She has been teaching kids how to type for over 11 years. To teach your child typing, visit http://www.1stoplearntotype.com To improve your child's memory, visit http://www.1stopezmemory.com

Professional Transcription and Your Business

Got stacks of audio tapes that need to be converted to a more user-friendly format? Professional transcription services may be the answer.

Professional transcriptionists can take standard or micro cassette tapes and produce a typed version of the text in a format that's clear, consistent and correct. They can create transcripts of taped meetings, training sessions, seminars and conventions, as well as dictated letters, reports and manuscripts. Once the information is transcribed, you can easily email, fax or post it to a Website.

Accuracy Is Essential

Transcribing actually covers a variety of services. It can include whatever editing is necessary to make a report or letter 'flow'. It can also include the tweaking sentence syntax, adjusting paragraphs, removing redundancies, and repairing general grammatical errors.

For some professions, a high degree of accuracy in transcripts is crucial. For example, medical transcriptionists must carefully listen to dictated recordings made by physicians and other healthcare professionals and accurately transcribe them into reports, correspondence and other administrative materials that eventually become part of patients' permanent files. Their ability to understand and correctly transcribe patient assessments and treatments reduces the chance of patients receiving ineffective or even harmful treatments and ultimately ensures high quality patient care.

Accuracy in transcripts is equally as important in other fields. In legal matters, it's essential because all testimony must be rendered exactly as it's spoken. Likewise, police detectives require precise transcripts of statements by suspects and witnesses. In the corporate arena, letters, meetings and training sessions must be properly transcribed for the sake of effective education and communication.

Requirements For A Good Transcriptionist

Whether you need medical, legal or general transcribing for your business, accurate transcribing requires a unique set of skills. But if your staff lacks the expertise or time to transcribe materials in house, an outside company can easily fill the void.

Working with an outside vendor offers a variety of cost-saving benefits, including:

- No cost of special equipment.

- No hourly employee downtime. You pay only for production.

- No Social Security, payroll or unemployment taxes.

- No medical insurance benefits, paid vacations and sick leave

But before you run out and hire the first transcription company available, make sure it has the skills to meet your needs. The outsourcer you choose should be:

- Well-versed in the English language

- Knowledgeable of the rules of grammar

- Familiar with your industry

- Easily accessible for questions

For more information about professional transcription services, contact Kate Smalley, Connecticut Secretary, at 203-641-3739 or mailto:kms@connecticutsecretary.com

Copyright 2004, Kate Smalley - Connecticut Secretary - Freelance Secretarial and Transcription Services - http://www.connecticutsecretary.com