According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Return dictated reports in printed or electronic form for physician's review, signature, and corrections and for inclusion in patients' medical records. | 97% |
| Produce medical reports, correspondence, records, patient-care information, statistics, medical research, and administrative material. | 95% |
| Identify mistakes in reports and check with doctors to obtain the correct information. | 95% |
| Review and edit transcribed reports or dictated material for spelling, grammar, clarity, consistency, and proper medical terminology. | 94% |
| Transcribe dictation for a variety of medical reports, such as patient histories, physical examinations, emergency room visits, operations, chart reviews, consultation, or discharge summaries. | 93% |
| Set up and maintain medical files and databases, including records such as x-ray, lab, and procedure reports, medical histories, diagnostic workups, admission and discharge summaries, and clinical resumes. | 92% |
| Distinguish between homonyms and recognize inconsistencies and mistakes in medical terms, referring to dictionaries, drug references, and other sources on anatomy, physiology, and medicine. | 92% |
| Translate medical jargon and abbreviations into their expanded forms to ensure the accuracy of patient and health care facility records. | 92% |
| Perform data entry and data retrieval services, providing data for inclusion in medical records and for transmission to physicians. | 90% |
| Receive patients, schedule appointments, and maintain patient records. | 90% |
| Take dictation using shorthand, a stenotype machine, or headsets and transcribing machines. | 89% |
| Answer inquiries concerning the progress of medical cases, within the limits of confidentiality laws. | 88% |
| Perform a variety of clerical and office tasks, such as handling incoming and outgoing mail, completing and submitting insurance claims, typing, filing, or operating office machines. | 86% |
| Decide which information should be included or excluded in reports. | 86% |
| Receive and screen telephone calls and visitors. | 84% |
