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Administrative Support Personnel, Clinical Documentation Specialist, Health-care Documentation Specialist, Office Personnel, Speech Recognition Analyst, Transcriptionist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
In a hospital setting, medical transcriptionists edit and analyze medical documents. These may include:
Documentation is a permanent record of medical, scientific, and legal value. Medical transcriptionists using speech-recognition software to authenticate health-care documents produced from audio recordings. Timely and accurate completion is required to ensure quality patient care.
In medical clinics and offices, medical transcriptionists may perform additional office tasks. These may include:
Medical transcriptionists work in office environments. They spend most of their time ensuring the quality of documentation. They do this by listening and editing while using computer technology. This can include typing. They may be required to sit for an extended period.
They most often work regular office hours. However, some evening or weekend work may be required.
Some experienced medical transcriptionists work from their homes. They provide services to health regions, private physicians, or private medical transcription agencies.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Medical transcriptionists
2023 OaSIS: 12110.02
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Medical transcriptionists need:
Transcriptionists who work in settings other than clinics should enjoy working in a quiet location without much patient contact. Those who work in a clinic setting should have good interpersonal skills.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 20 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jan 12, 2022 and Nov 21, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 14 |
|---|---|
| Sitting | 14 |
| Attention to detail | 14 |
| Work under pressure | 14 |
| Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Outlook | 13 |
| Tasks: Proofread to ensure accuracy | 13 |
| Own Tools/Equipment: Internet access | 11 |
| Own Tools/Equipment: Computer | 11 |
| Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Windows | 11 |
| Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Word | 11 |
Medical transcriptionists need:
Most people entering this field have completed a 1-year education program at a recognized post-secondary school. This must include a course in medical terminology.
Medical transcriptionists need to stay up to date with new terminology related to medical and surgical specialties.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Most medical transcriptionists work in settings where large numbers of physician-dictated patient reports are transcribed. These settings include:
Others work in:
Some self-employed transcriptionists provide services on a contract basis.
Experienced transcriptionists may advance to supervisory positions in settings that employ a number of transcriptionists. Examples includes hospitals and other health-care facilities.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations
2016 NOC: 1251
80.5% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries vary according to duties and experience. Many transcriptionists work from home. Their earnings are based on the recorded minute and whether editing is the only requirement. Some extra research may be required if the transcriptionist is not familiar with the specialty being transcribed.
Depending on the work site, medical transcriptionists may be represented by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), or the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA).
Salary scales established through union contracts determine pay in these settings. For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, visit their websites.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $27.89 | $21.18 | $18.00 |
| Overall | $21.32 | $64.42 | $34.48 | $24.75 |
| Top | $24.75 | $80.00 | $41.32 | $28.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $49,397 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $54,034 |
| Public Administration | $54,549 |
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) website: www.aupe.org
Canadian Union of Public Employee (CUPE) website: cupe.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: hsaa.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
