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:
| Starting | $24.50 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $29.09 |
| Top | $30.80 |
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
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 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.
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.
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.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
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.
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.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $17.33 | $27.28 | $24.50 | $27.28 |
| Overall | $19.00 | $32.78 | $29.09 | $32.18 |
| Top | $26.50 | $33.17 | $30.80 | $33.17 |
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* 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.
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.
| Public Administration | $55,032 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $50,584 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $50,526 |
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
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
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.