Earlier than I used to be a blogger, I used to be (nonetheless type of am) a contract author. Earlier than I used to be a freelance author, I did just a little transcription work. Particularly, I used to be a authorized transcriptionist. However I didn’t got down to turn out to be a authorized typist. In truth, I kinda fell into it.  “How?” you ask.
Properly, 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.Â
I didn’t have any skilled transcription expertise. However whereas shopping 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 might set my very own schedule so long as I acquired my work turned in on time. Whereas I by no means envisioned myself as a work-from-home typist, I used to be desperate to land work as one. So, that’s precisely what I set off to do. However first issues first, I wanted to grasp 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 kind, 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 gives 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 recordsdata I used to be assigned had been nearly all the time strict verbatim. This implies I needed to kind each single phrase that was stated together with stutters, false begins, and filler phrases (like, , um, uh, and many others.)
After I completed a file, it was my job to return by means of the audio and transcript yet another time to verify for accuracy. I all the time needed to proofread and edit transcripts earlier than turning them in — you’ll probably have to do that too! However don’t fear. Because of the transcription software program you’ll use, you possibly can simply pace up audio so you possibly can end this step at a a lot sooner price than what it took you to kind it.
Gear Wanted
Talking of transcription software program, you’ll need just a few issues to get began as a authorized transcriptionist. I ended up contracting with just a few completely different firms throughout my run as a authorized typist. Each had completely different necessities for a way issues had been completed. However for probably the most half, there was a core group of applications and gear wanted to work.
You should buy every thing individually or go for a transcription bundle. Both manner, listed here are a number of the issues you’ll probably want as a authorized typist:
Foot pedal
A foot pedal will show you how to management audio playback together with your foot. You possibly can cease, play, pause, quick ahead and return with the faucet of your toe. This frees up your fingers to kind and can assist enhance your pace and accuracy (which suggests you make more cash!).
Categorical Scribe
You’ll probably be assigned audio recordsdata in a sure format like WAV or mP3. You’ll want particular software program that’s appropriate together with your foot pedal so you possibly can play recordsdata and transcribe them. The trade normal software program known as Categorical Scribe. And there’s a free model that works nice! The issue is, the freebie model is appropriate with just one kind of foot pedal. The paid for or premium model works with a couple of dozen completely different foot pedals, providing you with loads of choices.
Headset
I’m not gonna lie — once I first began as a authorized transcriptionist, I purchased the most affordable headset I might discover. I figured, so long as I might hear the audio, there was no distinction between a $10 mannequin and a $30 one, proper? Incorrect!
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 realized — a top quality headset could make all of the distinction in how nicely you hear audio and your consolation stage when you kind.
Phrase Processing
After you obtain an audio file, load it into Categorical Scribe and fireplace 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 are open to any variety of phrase processing applications, so long as it can save you your work in a selected format, i.e., .doc or .docx. Microsoft Phrase isn’t precisely low-cost. So, when 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 completed!
The place to Discover Authorized Transcription Jobs
Now that what you’ll have to get began, you’re in all probability fairly keen to begin in search of jobs. Because it seems, there are a number of firms that readily rent authorized typists. The very best 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 recordsdata coping with company, monetary, and insurance coverage issues. The speed of pay varies. For authorized typing positions, you’ll earn anyplace from $0.75 to $1.75 per web page.
Your schedule is totally as much as you — work as a lot or little as you’d like. Sometimes, work is obtainable Monday by means of Friday with turnaround instances averaging 2-3 days. You possibly can study extra about Birch Creek Communication’s hiring course of on their careers web page.
Neal R. GrossÂ
Though based mostly 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-about right here (woo hoo!). So what are the necessities? In response to their hiring web page:
Should you kind over 60 phrases per minute and have to earn a living from home, you could be what we’re in search of in a authorized transcriber. No transcription expertise mandatory, however you should be prepared and capable of work on in a single day supply. Timeliness is a should, as are wonderful English language abilities. Please apply provided that you possibly can transcribe no less than 5 hours of audio per week.
Should you think about your self a grammar buff and have the dedication wanted to satisfy tight deadlines, you will discover success at Neal R. Gross — even when 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 acquired what it takes, straight on their employment web page.
Transcription for Everybody
Constructed by transcriptionists for transcriptionists, Transcription for Everybody prides itself on providing official home-based place for typists, together with these fascinated by authorized work.
In response to their adverts, Transcription for Everyone seems to be open to working with full novices:
We additionally work with complete novices and supply on-the-job coaching. The extra skilled you get, the sooner you’ll be capable of 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 data web page to study extra in regards to the authorized transcription jobs out there.
Be aware: Transcription for Everybody does have their very own coaching course out there. You don’t have to pay for this to be thought-about for employment!
Different Locations to Search for Authorized Transcription Jobs
I can’t say how typically 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 develop your job search.
Certainly Jobs
Certainly is an effective 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 possibly can even create a customized job alert. It will let at any time when new authorized transcription jobs have been posted, with out having to look the location all day every single day — main time-saver.
Craigslist
Craigslist will also be a supply of official authorized transcription jobs. I ought to know — it’s the very place I landed my first gig all these years in the past! Examine your native market for postings in addition to the key ones (Los Angeles, New York, Austin, Atlanta, and many others.) Usually, you will discover authorized transcription jobs posted for home-based staff in your space in addition to distant positions out there nationwide.
As all the time, 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’ll need some gear to turn out to be a authorized transcriptionist, you’ll pay for these objects your self, to not the corporate straight!
I’m Not Positive if That is Proper for Me
I get it. Authorized transcription is just not for everybody. Should you’re not a quick and correct typist, you’ll probably battle to maintain up. If grammar isn’t your sturdy swimsuit, you could discover the character of labor difficult. You’ll additionally log many hours in entrance of your pc observing your display — straining on the eyes, fingers and wrist.
However when you like a problem, usually benefit from the topic of regulation, and think about your self to be a fast-typing grammar buff, this may for you!
One of the simplest ways to search out out? Be taught extra about authorized transcription jobs and whether or not or not it’s a superb match for you. Head over to Transcribe Anyplace. There, you possibly can entry a free authorized transcription mini course. By the tip of the four-day mini course, you’ll know much more in regards to the trade and whether or not or not it’s best to pursue authorized transcription as a profession.
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