Things have been a bit more hectic lately - I switched jobs - sorta kinda. My "second" job is still medical transcription, but now I listen to a different voice. The change calls for a little adjustment, but it's all good.Generally, I put what a person says into written word. Usually this is a doctor though one time I did transcribe directions for roasting a Thanksgiving turkey. I listen to what they record on a tape or sound file and then type out the words. Sounds simple enough, and it is, in concept anyway. There is a bit more to it however. Let's say the doctor is from Russia or the deep South. Hmmm...did he say "heel," "hill," or "hell?" You also have to know what's connected to what in the human body and a little something about how they work. Perineal and peroneal sound and look a lot alike, but they mean totally different things. Ditto for caudal and Cottle. I gotta know which is which and what goes where - completing a transcription diploma program gave me lots of info there. I have lots of reference books and reliable internet sites to help me out. I also have a special tape player, operated by foot, that allows me to listen to a section over and over and over again when needed. It's not everybody's cup of tea, but I like doing transcription. It gives me a way to be a part of the medical community I enjoy without having to deal with all the people. Next patient....
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It sounds easy but it's definitely harder than most people think.
I proofread transcriptions for the library's Community Voices project back in 1999/2000. Watching the video of the interviews over and over and over in some places to figure out what they'd said that the person the library used hadn't caught. There were too many places on the transcripts with xxx that I could hear. Oh well. The longer it took me to watch and finish proofing the more I got paid. :-)
Good for you on getting paid by time spent! I get paid by the line...the longer it takes me to figure something out...the less my hourly wage. It's all good though. Once I look something up/figure it out, I usually remember it for next time.
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