| Most medical transcription courses include dictation on analog (cassette) tape. Some small, local transcription services may still use tape, but most substantial companies have long since switched to digital. If you have a MAC Computer instead of a PC you will need to find out if the transcriber will work with your computer before investing in any of the materials or transcriber machine.
Many transcription services are becoming impatient with new MTs who only know how to use the old analog transcribers and are saying, "If you don't know digital, don't apply here."
You need high-quality digital equipment if you're going to work in today's market. We prefer you to train using the same tools you'll use on the job, so we've included information on a state-of-the-art digital transcriber that you can purchase for around $200.00. We do not include the digital transcriber for several reasons such as; some MTs already have a digital transcriber and for those that do not have one they can save money buy purchasing it seperate.
This isn't a software program on a CD, but a full-featured, professional digital transcriber. When transcription services mention a specific digital transcriber, this is the one they usually refer to. You will even occassionally see help wanted ads that ask for MTs to own, or at least know how to use, this transcriber.
For some reason, digital transcribers seem to intimidate some MTs, and are completely ignored by most training vendors. If you can connect a printer to your computer, you can set up a digital transcriber. There is nothing the least difficult about it, and if schools would stop training with archaic equipment, MTs would stop being intimidated into believing that digital is complicated.
You'll receive complete instructions with your digital transcriber that you purchase, but should you have any problems, there is tech support for the transcriber company we recommend. They should be able to talk you through it in less than 5 minutes.
Your transcriber will arrive with a foot control, but you will need to purchase a separate headset. Computer headsets are not expensive; they start at around $20. We use the Optimus headset, which Radio Shack carries for about $30, and which has a separate volume control. Make sure you buy your headset from a store where you can return it if it isn't comfortable. The headset plugs into your computer sound card, and again, instructions are included.
You can't harm your computer or your sound card by plugging the headset into the wrong receptical, so don't be afraid to experiment if it isn't obvious which connection to use. If you use the wrong one, the headset simply won't work.
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