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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:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in copying to transcribe machine dictation or rough notes from medical reports, correspondence, medical records and patient information
Interest in operating office equipment to record and transcribe surgical proceedings, medical records and other reports
Interest to research the accuracy of transcribed information
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
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 authenticate health-care documents produced from audio recordings using speech-recognition software. 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 of time. Medical transcriptionists 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.
Medical transcriptionists need:
Transcriptionists employed in settings other than clinics should enjoy working in a quiet location without a lot of patient contact. In a clinic setting, they 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 19 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jan 12, 2022 and Jan 19, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
| Long term benefits: Life insurance | 16 |
|---|---|
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 16 |
| Financial benefits: Piece work | 14 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 13 |
| Work under pressure | 13 |
| Sitting | 13 |
| Attention to detail | 13 |
| Long term benefits: Other benefits | 13 |
| Long term benefits: Group insurance benefits | 13 |
| Long term benefits: Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) | 13 |
Medical transcriptionists need:
Most people entering this field have completed a 1-year education program, including a medical terminology course, at a recognized post-secondary school.
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 search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
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: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Most medical transcriptionists work in settings where large numbers of physician-dictated patient reports are transcribed. They include:
Others work in:
Some self-employed transcriptionists provide services on a contract basis.
Experienced transcriptionists may advance to supervisory positions in hospitals and other health-care facilities that employ a number of transcriptionists.
Medical transcriptionists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 1251: Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations. In Alberta, 75% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook (pdf) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the 1251: Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.9% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 76 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
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 2016 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 [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $17.33 | $27.55 | $25.33 | $27.55 |
| Overall | $23.00 | $33.50 | $30.68 | $32.90 |
| Top | $26.00 | $34.79 | $31.46 | $33.50 |
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 | $53,120 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $53,033 |
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: www.hsaa.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2019. 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.