Lesson 67 – Phlebotomist
I. Take roll
II.
Nature of the work
1. Phlebotomist draw blood for test, transfusion, research, blood donation
2. Phlebotomist typically do the following
a. Draw blood from patients
b. Talk with donors so they are less nervous about having blood drawn
c. Verify a patient or donor identity to ensure proper labeling
d. Label the drawn blood for proper testing or processing
e. Enter patients information onto a database
f. Assemble and maintain medical instruments such as: needles/test tubes/blood
vials
3. Phlebotomist other duties
a. Draw blood at blood drives where people donate blood
b. They must keep work area, instruments clean and sanitary
III.
Work environment
1. Phlebotomist mainly work in:
a. Hospitals
b. Diagnostic laboratories
c. Blood donor centers
d. Doctor’s office
IV.
Work schedule
1. Most work full time
2. Phlebotomist who work in hospitals:
a. Work nights/weekends/holidays
V.
Salary
1. Low end- $21,350
2. Medium avg. $ 29,730
3. High end- $ 42,600
VI.
Job outlook
1. Expected to grow 27%
2. Phlebotomist may be replaced by other more skilled workers
Lesson 68 – Medical transcriptionist
I. Take roll
II.
Nature of the work
1. Medical transcriptionist listen to voice recordings from Dr.’s and health care
professionals and convert them into written reports
2. Transcriptionist interpret medical terminology and abbreviations in preparing
patients medical histories/discharge summary and other documents
3. Medical transcriptionist do the following
a. Listen to recorded dictation of a Dr. / health care provider
b. Transcribe / interpret the dictation into diagnostic test results, operative
reports, referral letters, and other documents
c. Review and edit drafts prepared by speech recognition software, making sure
that the transcription is correct / consistent
III.
IV.
V.
d. Translate medical abbreviation and jargon into appropriate long form
e. Identify inconsistencies/errors/missing information with the report
f. Follow up with the health care provider to ensure accuracy of report
g. Submit healthcare record for physicians to approve
h. Follow patient confidentiality guidelines and legal documentation
i. Enter medical reports into electronic health care record system
j. Perform quality improvement audits
4. Medical transcriptionist use audio playback equipment software that is connected
to their computer
a. This includes a headset and foot pedal which is used to control the recording
playback speed
5. In the past they would listen to the entire dictation
a. Today many documents are prepared with speech recognition technology
b. Speech recognition technology is special software which prepares initial
drafts-transcriptionist review draft/look for errors/edit the report
6. Medical transcriptionist become familiar-medical
terminology/anatomy/physiology/diagnostic procedures/pharmacology/treatment
assessments
a. The ability to understand health professionals recordings/correctly
transcribe/identify inaccuracies/ is critical to decrease patient ineffectiveness
and harmful treatment
7. Transcriptionist become familiar with electronic health care records (EHR)
a. Enter reports
b. Create templates
c. Help develop documentation policies
d. Train physicians on how to use HER
8. Medical transcriptionist who work in Dr. offices may have other duties
a. Answering the phone
b. Greeting patients
Work environment
1. Work in hospitals or physician offices
2. Work from home-receiving dictation and submitting drafts electronically
Work schedule
1. Work from home- work outside typical business hour/flexible schedule
2. Physician offices- follow the hours of the office
Education / training
1. Understanding of – medical terminology/anatomy/physiology/grammar/word
processing software
2. Training offered by- vocational schools/community colleges/distance learning
programs
3. Certificate- 1 year program
4. Associate degree- 2 yr. includes course work in anatomy/medical
terminology/risk management/legal issues/English grammar and punctuation
5. License/certification/registration
a. Certification not required
VI.
b. RHDS certification(registered healthcare documentation specialist)- for recent
graduates with less than 2 yrs. experience-who work in single specialty
environment/clinic/Dr. office
c. CHDS certification(certified healthcare documentation specialist)- have at
least 2 yrs. experience- those that handle dictation in several medical
specialties
Salary
1. Low $22,400---medium $34,000---high $47,250