Anne Martinez - Medical Transcription for Dummies

Medical Transcription For Dummies

by Anne Martinez

Medical Transcription For Dummies

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John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Copyright 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2012952197

ISBN 978-1-118-34307-4 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-118-45052-9 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-118-46105-1 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-118-46107-5 (ebk)

Manufactured in the United States of America

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About the Author

Anne Martinez and medical transcription met for the first time in 2005. She had no idea what she was getting in to. Desiring a little regular work to round out her self-employment income, she took to the Internet and began researching work-at-home jobs. Medical transcription seemed a perfect match for her love of language and interest in all things medical. Her first step was to look for an introductory how-to book, but there wasnt one. She determined on the spot that she would write it; first, though, on to becoming a medical transcriptionist!

In 2006, after about a year of intense studying at home, Anne graduated from the M-TEC online medical transcription program. Soon thereafter, she was employed full time (despite her original intention to work part time) and garnering the benefits of health insurance she didnt have to pay for entirely herself, a steady income, and actual paid vacation days! She later switched to a part-time independent contractor position to gain a more flexible schedule and take advantage of additional opportunities.

During her time as an MT, Anne transcribed many, many medical reports for hospitals and physician groups, including history and physical exams, discharge summaries, operative reports, consultations, office notes, and an amazing variety of diagnostic procedures.

Shes currently wrapped up in writing projects and managing her successful website, GoCertify ( www.gocertify.com ), so shes put her MT career on hold. However, it stands ready in the wings, waiting for her return should the need arise.

Dedication

To all the hockey players Ive ever played with or against, especially the teams Ive been honored to be part of: May your skates always be sharp, the ice hard, and the Zamboni working.

P.S. May your medical records contain only routine office notes.

Authors Acknowledgments

A book is rarely the fruit of a single author, and this one is no different. Many people participated in shaping it and packing it with the most relevant and accessible information possible. My first shout-out goes to Patty Urban, my go-to resource for everything MT since practically day one of my MT career and the natural pick to serve as technical editor of Medical Transcription For Dummies.

To Ann Morgan and the other MTs who hang out at the Medical Transcription Networking Corner on Facebook, thank you for sharing your experiences and opinions on all things MT. Carol Butler, Cindy Leach, and Debi Shope made time to contribute thoughtful MT wisdom and advice despite intensely busy schedules.

Others who were instrumental to the creation of this book include Lindsay Lefevere, who gave me the chance to write the book Ive been thinking about since I signed up for my first MT course, and Matt Wagner, without whom I never would have met Lindsay. Elizabeth Kuball, project editor extraordinaire, dedicated her time and expertise to make sure this book became the best it could be. Many thanks also to Steve Elliot, who once again pointed me in the right direction when I told him there was a book I wanted to write. Extra kudos to Sara Devine, for relentlessly tracking down permissions and helping keep the rest of my work life running while I focused on this book.

Special thanks to Dan McGovern for his support, encouragement, and friendship that helped carry this book and its author through an onslaught of deadlines, and to my teenage children, Evan and Rebecca, who basically surrendered me to this process and largely took care of themselves for the duration.

Publishers Acknowledgments

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