Medical Transcription - Equipment needed

What equipment do you need to operate a secretarial service or medical transcription business?

To start a secretarial service or medical transcription, you will need a computer, major word processing program, a printer, and one or more transcription machines, also called transcribers.

You don’t need a high-end computer to provide word processing and medical transcription services.

Most computers come with a word processing program. I recommend using Microsoft Word because most of your clients will use it.

You can get either an inkjet printer or laser printer. Many secretarial services and medical transcription services start their secretarial service with an inkjet printer because they are less expensive than laser printers. A laser printer provides better quality printouts and faster speed. You need a laser printer if you provide graphic design or resumes.

You may need a fax machine if your clients want to fax you work. At first, you can use your computer to send and receive faxes but you'll only be able to send faxes of documents you have in your computer.

To provide transcription services, you will need a transcription machine. Transcribers have a headset and foot pedal. The foot pedal allows you to stop and rewind the cassette while having your hands available for keyboarding. Until you have a transcription client, you won't know which size cassettes you'll get. Talk to your prospective clients before buying any equipment. Or call secretarial services and transcriptionists in your area and ask what size cassettes they are getting.

Transcription machines are available from Sony, Panasonic, Olympus, Lanier, Sanyo, and Dictaphone. Office Direct has a large selection of transcription machines at http://www.officedirectinc.com/SyStand.htm. Check local office supply stores such as Office Depot (http://www.officedepot.com) and OfficeMax (http://www.officemax.com).

You can buy new and used transcription machines, computers, and other equipment at a fraction of the cost at http://www.ebay.com.

Check out this web site for used equipment:http://www.mtdaily.com/ads.html
You can start your secretarial business with just a computer and printer. Buy additional equipment or software when a project requires it.