Characteristics

• A successful medical transcriptionist will have a good ear. You must decipher different accents and sometimes multiple speakers. It is important to be a good typist. Generally, the faster you type the more money you'll make. Excellent spelling, grammar and proofreading skills are also a requirement.
  
  

Training

• Training is an important step in becoming a medical transcriptionist in British Columbia. Through training you learn medical terminology. You will also increase your typing speed. During your training you also get many hours of practice transcribing. A good training course will provide you with many different accents and styles to practice with. Most of your time in school will be spent gaining speed.
  
  

Equipment

• Knowledge of medical terminology is essential.medical equipment image by blaine stiger from Fotolia.com
  
  In order to be a medical transcriber you will need a computer with a transcription foot pedal. This allows you to control the audio while not removing your hands from the keyboard. A high quality headset is required, since you need to hear everything that is being said in order to produce an accurate transcript. Digital transcription software is needed to play the audio recordings.