In my two years of experience as a medical transcriptionist, every time people ask me regarding the nature of my work the endpoint would always be disappointing. It is because after a detailed explanation, the person I am talking with will always say “Ahhh murag call center….” It seems that the mentality of a person who doesn’t know what a medical transcriptionist does would always compare a medical transcriptionist to a call center agent.
A medical transcriptionist’s work is totally different from that of a call center agent. The only similarity is the resources being used i.e. computer and a headphone, which may be the reason why they would think that we are like call center agents. But we are not.
First and foremost medical transcriptionists deal with medical records while call center agent usually does telemarketing.
The following are some of the differences between a call center agent and a medical transcriptionist:
1. Call center agents TALK to people live while a medical transcriptionist LISTENS to a pre-recorded dictation of a doctor.
2. Call center agents usually does telemarketing while medical transcriptionists transcribes or translates dictated medical voice files into electronic data using word processing systems.
3. Call center agents must have good COMMUNICATION skills while medical transcriptionists must have good LISTENING skills.
4. Call center agents are making and receiving calls while medical transcriptions are inclined with medical terms, patient’s diseases, medical history, diagnosis, prognosis and other health related informations.
5. Call center agents must have clear speech, and good telephone manners while medical transcriptionist must have proofreading and editing skills, knowledge of medical language, disease processes, medical procedures, medical and laboratory instruments, pharmacology, laboratory tests, medical reference, and material techniques.
We can go on and on with the differences between an MT and a call center agent. I hope the next time somebody ask me about my job he/she will not say “Ahhh! Murag call center!?” (I’ll faint if he/she does). Hope this will help you in understanding what medical transcriptionists do. (Or maybe after reading this, who knows, you would think of choosing a career for medical transcription) Best of luck!
Thank you for taking time to read. God Bless…
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3 comments:
Indeed. I don't know for sure but I seem to have the perception that med transcriptionists may be subject to the same stereotypes and prejudices call center agents are now beginning to suffer.
One advantage of being an start-up is that we have the opportunity to do things right early on, especially from the organizational perspective.
Perhaps what you guys can do in between jobs is think of how your jobs can move beyond mere jobs and be identified as professions to be proud of.
From what I've seen though, there's already much to be proud of. No doubt there will be more. I'd like Moztranscription to have as part of its mission to be a real place that develops people and not just a mere stepping stone.
Question:
I assume "Murag Call Center" means "Parang Call Center"?
:-) I think I'm the only none Bisaya in this blog.
Great work.
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