Medical transcription is a great job for those who want to stay at home, whether it's a simple preference or you need to care for your children or another family member. The pay is good, especially as you become a better transcriptionist, and the hours are usually flexible.
The first thing you will need is a good education in medical transcription. This is necessary even if you have a medical background, such as having worked as a nurse. There's still a lot to learn. A medical background simply helps you learn to be a medical transcriptionist sooner.
I prefer online medical transcription programs. Most let you start on your schedule, rather than waiting for classes to start. You are mostly self paced with most online programs, although there may be a time limit to complete the course.
You need a program that is Approved by the AHDI. This improves the chances that you are attending a program that will train you properly. Without quality training, you'll never land that first job. As in any other industry, the first job is the hardest one to land.
Most schools will send you a free packet of information. Get that packet, even if you can see their information on their website. It's often easier to compare programs on paper than it is online.
Also consider any partnerships they have with potential employers. Some employers give preference to graduates of certain programs.
When you find the school that's right for you, register and get started on your studies as soon as possible. The sooner you start, the sooner you can work.
The time you spend learning medical transcription is not all about the details of transcribing. It's also a time to learn how to set up your home office as a comfortable work station. You will need a fairly quiet space so that you are not usually distracted by background noises. A room where you can close the door is ideal, so that you can also protect patient privacy from any others in your home.
Pay attention to the times of day that work best for you. After you graduate and find a job, you will be setting up a work schedule, and you want it to be the right schedule for your needs. This is not a job where you always have to work 9-5. It's much more flexible than that. Early morning, late at night, a work day broken into two segments so you can care for your children when they're home from school, whatever works for you.
Treat your studies as you would your job. This will help you to get through them sooner and build good habits for that first job.
Be serious about your job hunt when you graduate. There's good demand for medical transcriptionists, but that does not mean the job will find you. You have to put your resume out there.