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Working as a transcriptionist is a great way to telecommute or work from home. Transcription simply means that you take spoken word and transcribe it into a written document. The person you are doing the transcription for usually speaks on a tape or records his voice as a digital file and then sends it to you. You simply type what you hear.

Of course there is software and hardware out there that will make the job easier by allowing you to slow down the recording you are transcribing.
Different Types of Transcription Positions

Medical Transcription

Medical transcription is probably the most common and best know type of transcription. Doctors and other medical staff record their comments and notes about a patient. The transcriptionist then transcribes the recording and the written document is added to the patients file.

As a medical transcriptionist you should have a good understanding of medical terminology and their spelling. While a degree or course in medical transcription is not required, especially if you are working for smaller doctors' offices, it does help to gain more lucrative contacts and of course prepares you for the work ahead.

Legal Transcription

Almost everything in legal proceedings is recorded from interviews between attorneys and clients to actual trials. Many of the minor recordings are often outsourced to someone doing transcription from home. You could work for a few lawyers and turn their recordings into written documents that can be added to their client's files. As with medical transcription, there is quite a bit of specialized terminology, in this case legal lingo that you will come across when doing legal transcription. Previous experience in the field of law, or taking a class or home study course will help prepare you for your work as a legal transcriptionist.

Business

There is an increasing need for transcription in the business world. In addition to the traditional letter dictating work that you can pick up, there is an increasing demand for transcriptionists that will turn teleconferences and online meetings into written documents. It seems that almost any online business owner these days is holding teleseminars or teleconferences these days to communicate with both customers and business partners. While many people appreciate the option of listening to information, there are also quite a few who prefer to read a transcript of the call. You could stay busy just transcribing for a few online business owners, or work as a secretary taking dictations for a few traditional business owners in your area.

If you have good typing skills, transcription may be a great way for you to telecommute. Start with some general business or teleconference type jobs. If transcription is something you enjoy doing, it may be worth your wile to take a class or course to prepare you for medical or legal transcription, both of which require extensive knowledge of special terms in the respective field.