Earlier than I used to be a blogger, I used to be (nonetheless form of am) a contract author. Earlier than I used to be a freelance author, I did a little bit transcription work. Particularly, I used to be a authorized transcriptionist. However I didn’t got down to turn into a authorized typist. In actual fact, I kinda fell into it. “How?” you ask.
Nicely, after my son was born, I needed to discover a job that (1) paid nicely, (2) allowed me to remain house to care for him, and (3) let me set my very own schedule.
Sounds too good to be true, proper? Because it seems, it wasn’t. So, what what was this oh-so versatile, bill-paying gig that allowed me to work and care for a screaming new child 24/7? Authorized transcription.
Soar-start your authorized transcription profession with this FREE mini course.
I didn’t have any skilled transcription expertise. However whereas searching job openings on Certainly and Craigslist, I saved coming throughout a number of adverts for authorized transcriptionist jobs. As a former paralegal, my curiosity was piqued.
For starters, the speed of pay was truly livable. And to prime it off, I may set my very own schedule so long as I obtained my work turned in on time. Whereas I by no means envisioned myself as a work-from-home typist, I used to be wanting to land work as one. So, that’s precisely what I set off to do. However first issues first, I wanted to know what it means to be a authorized transcriptionist and whether or not it was proper for me earlier than leaping in as a newbie.
What Precisely is Authorized Transcription and What Will I Do?
In its easiest type, transcription is the method of listening to recorded audio and typing out what’s being stated right into a doc. Within the authorized world, this offers a tough copy of conversations, interviews, depositions, and file notes that may be rather more simply referenced versus its audio counterpart.
I can’t converse for all authorized transcription jobs on the market, however the information I used to be assigned have been virtually at all times strict verbatim. This implies I needed to sort each single phrase that was stated together with stutters, false begins, and filler phrases (like, you understand, um, uh, and many others.)
After I completed a file, it was my job to return via the audio and transcript yet another time to examine for accuracy. I at all times needed to proofread and edit transcripts earlier than turning them in — you’ll doubtless have to do that too! However don’t fear. Due to the transcription software program you’ll use, you may simply velocity up audio so you may end this step at a a lot quicker fee than what it took you to sort it.
Gear Wanted
Talking of transcription software program, you will have just a few issues to get began as a authorized transcriptionist. I ended up contracting with just a few totally different firms throughout my run as a authorized typist. Every one had totally different necessities for a way issues have been achieved. However for essentially the most half, there was a core group of applications and gear wanted to work.
You should purchase all the pieces individually or go for a transcription bundle. Both manner, listed here are a number of the issues you’ll doubtless want as a authorized typist:
Foot pedal
A foot pedal will show you how to management audio playback along with your foot. You’ll be able to cease, play, pause, quick ahead and return with the faucet of your toe. This frees up your fingers to sort and can assist improve your velocity and accuracy (which implies you make more cash!).
Specific Scribe
You’ll doubtless be assigned audio information in a sure format like WAV or mP3. You’ll want particular software program that’s suitable along with your foot pedal so you may play information and transcribe them. The trade customary software program is known as Specific Scribe. And there’s a free model that works nice! The issue is, the freebie model is suitable with just one sort of foot pedal. The paid for or premium model works with a few dozen totally different foot pedals, providing you with quite a lot of choices.
Headset
I’m not gonna lie — after I first began as a authorized transcriptionist, I purchased the most cost effective headset I may discover. I figured, so long as I may hear the audio, there was no distinction between a $10 mannequin and a $30 one, proper? Improper!
I regretted this buy about ten minutes into my first file. The audio sounded prefer it was taking part in in a tin can. The set itself was uncomfortable, leaving my ears sore after one use. Lesson discovered — a top quality headset could make all of the distinction in how nicely you hear audio and your consolation degree when you sort.
Phrase Processing
After you obtain an audio file, load it into Specific Scribe and hearth up your foot pedal, it’s time to begin typing! To do that, you’re gonna want a phrase processing program. Each firm I contracted with insisted I used Phrase.
Nonetheless, I’ve seen different firms which might be open to any variety of phrase processing applications, so long as it can save you your work in a particular format, i.e., .doc or .docx. Microsoft Phrase isn’t precisely low cost. So, should you don’t have already got it, I wouldn’t rush out and purchase it as you hunt for authorized transcription jobs. Wait. You might be able to use a free model like Open Workplace to get the job achieved!
The place to Discover Authorized Transcription Jobs
Now that you understand what you’ll must get began, you’re in all probability fairly keen to begin searching for jobs. Because it seems, there are a number of firms that readily rent authorized typists. The perfect half? You don’t essentially want any expertise to get began.
These firms embrace:
Birch Creek Communications
Along with authorized transcription jobs, additionally they have alternatives to deal with information coping with company, monetary, and insurance coverage issues. The speed of pay varies. For authorized typing positions, you’ll earn wherever from $0.75 to $1.75 per web page.
Your schedule is solely as much as you — work as a lot or little as you’d like. Sometimes, work is accessible Monday via Friday with turnaround instances averaging 2-3 days. You’ll be able to be taught extra about Birch Creek Communication’s hiring course of on their careers web page.
Neal R. Gross
Though primarily based out of Washington D.C., Neal R. Gross opens up its digital doorways to authorized transcriptionists all through the U.S. And also you don’t want earlier expertise to be thought of right here (woo hoo!). So what are the necessities? In accordance with their hiring web page:
Should you sort over 60 phrases per minute and must earn a living from home, you might be what we’re searching for in a authorized transcriber. No transcription expertise obligatory, however you have to be keen and capable of work on in a single day supply. Timeliness is a should, as are glorious English language expertise. Please apply provided that you may transcribe not less than 5 hours of audio per week.
Should you contemplate your self a grammar buff and have the dedication wanted to satisfy tight deadlines, yow will discover success at Neal R. Gross — even should you’ve by no means typed professionally a day in your life. Be taught extra about their authorized transcriptionist jobs and, whether or not or not you’ve obtained what it takes, immediately on their employment web page.
Transcription for Everybody
Constructed by transcriptionists for transcriptionists, Transcription for Everybody prides itself on providing reliable home-based place for typists, together with these interested by authorized work.
In accordance with their adverts, Transcription for Everyone seems to be open to working with full learners:
We additionally work with whole learners and supply on-the-job coaching. The extra skilled you get, the quicker you’ll have the ability to work and the upper the wage you’ll earn.
As one other perk, they solely promote from inside So, whereas everybody begins out as a typist, there’s the potential to maneuver up as an editor or supervisor. Head on over to their employment info web page to be taught extra concerning the authorized transcription jobs accessible.
Observe: Transcription for Everybody does have their very own coaching course accessible. You should not have to pay for this to be thought of for employment!
Different Locations to Search for Authorized Transcription Jobs
I can’t say how usually the above talked about firms are including typists to their groups. Should you’re actually able to get began as a authorized typist, it’s a good suggestion to increase your job search.
Certainly Jobs
Certainly is an efficient place to begin. As a job search engine, Certainly finds and lists job leads from every kind of employer websites and different area of interest job boards, housed conveniently in a single locale. You’ll be able to even create a customized job alert. This may let you understand at any time when new authorized transcription jobs have been posted, with out having to go looking the positioning all day day-after-day — main time-saver.
Craigslist
Craigslist may also be a supply of reliable authorized transcription jobs. I ought to know — it’s the very place I landed my first gig all these years in the past! Verify your native market for postings in addition to the key ones (Los Angeles, New York, Austin, Atlanta, and many others.) Usually, yow will discover authorized transcription jobs posted for home-based employees in your space in addition to distant positions accessible nationwide.
As at all times, be cautious of scams. Do some analysis on the corporate posting the job lead. And be additional cautious if somebody is asking you to pay cash upfront for coaching, gear or charges. Whereas you will have some gear to turn into a authorized transcriptionist, you’ll pay for these gadgets your self, to not the corporate immediately!
I’m Not Certain if That is Proper for Me
I get it. Authorized transcription just isn’t for everybody. Should you’re not a quick and correct typist, you’ll doubtless battle to maintain up. If grammar isn’t your robust go well with, you might discover the character of labor difficult. You’ll additionally log many hours in entrance of your laptop watching your display screen — straining on the eyes, fingers and wrist.
However should you like a problem, usually benefit from the topic of regulation, and contemplate your self to be a fast-typing grammar buff, this may for you!
One of the simplest ways to seek out out? Be taught extra about authorized transcription jobs and whether or not or not it’s match for you. Head over to Transcribe Anyplace. There, you may entry a free authorized transcription mini course. By the tip of the four-day mini course, you’ll know much more concerning the trade and whether or not or not you need to pursue authorized transcription as a profession.
This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks. I solely suggest merchandise, manufacturers, and companies that I belief and know you’ll love. You’ll be able to be taught extra about my use of affiliate hyperlinks on Work from House Happiness right here.