Introduction

When considering a career in the healthcare field, there are many options to choose from. Two popular vocational training paths are becoming a chiropractic assistant or a medical transcriptionist. Both of these roles play important roles in the healthcare industry, but they have distinct differences in their job descriptions, education and training requirements, and career outlooks. In this blog post, we will explore the similarities and differences between a chiropractic assistant and a medical transcriptionist to help you decide which path may be the best fit for you.

What is a Chiropractic Assistant and Medical Transcriptionist?

• Chiropractic Assistant:
  • A chiropractic assistant is a healthcare professional who works directly with chiropractors to help provide patient care and administrative support.
  • They may assist with patient intake, scheduling appointments, taking patient histories, and performing basic clinical tasks under the supervision of a chiropractor.
  • Chiropractic assistants also play a crucial role in maintaining a clean and organized office environment and ensuring that patients feel comfortable and well-cared for during their visits.
• Medical Transcriptionist:
  • A medical transcriptionist is responsible for converting voice recordings of healthcare professionals into written reports.
  • They listen to recordings made by doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals and transcribe them into written documents.
  • Medical transcriptionists must have excellent listening skills, a strong understanding of medical terminology, and the ability to accurately transcribe audio files.
  • They play a critical role in ensuring that patient records are accurately documented and readily accessible for future reference.

Difference between a Chiropractic Assistant and Medical Transcriptionist

While both chiropractic assistants and medical transcriptionists work in the healthcare field, there are several key differences between these two roles:

• Job Duties:
  • Chiropractic assistants primarily work in chiropractic offices and focus on providing direct patient care and administrative support.
  • Medical transcriptionists, on the other hand, work from audio recordings and are responsible for accurately transcribing medical reports.
• Work Environment:
  • Chiropractic assistants spend their days in chiropractic offices, working directly with patients and chiropractors.
  • Medical transcriptionists can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and transcription service companies. They often work remotely and have the flexibility to choose when and where they work.
• Patient Interaction:
  • Chiropractic assistants have frequent direct interaction with patients, assisting with patient intake, taking histories, and performing basic clinical tasks.
  • Medical transcriptionists have minimal to no direct patient interaction as they primarily work with audio recordings and written documents.
• Responsibility for Patient Care:
  • Chiropractic assistants are involved in providing direct patient care and support, working closely with chiropractors to ensure patients receive appropriate care.
  • Medical transcriptionists do not have direct responsibility for patient care, but their accurate transcriptions contribute to the overall quality of patient care by maintaining accurate medical records.

Chiropractic Assistant vs Medical Transcriptionist: Job Description

• Chiropractic Assistant:
  • Job duties include assisting chiropractors with patient care, scheduling appointments, taking patient histories, and performing basic clinical tasks.
  • Chiropractic assistants also manage administrative tasks such as maintaining patient records, billing, and coding.
  • They may also perform basic office duties such as answering phones, greeting patients, and maintaining a clean and organized office environment.
• Medical Transcriptionist:
  • Job duties include listening to audio recordings made by healthcare professionals and accurately transcribing them into written reports.
  • Medical transcriptionists must have a strong understanding of medical terminology, grammar, and punctuation to ensure accurate transcriptions.
  • They are responsible for maintaining patient records and ensuring that the transcriptions are error-free and easily accessible for future reference.

Chiropractic Assistant vs Medical Transcriptionist: Education and Training

• Chiropractic Assistant:
  • Most chiropractic assistants receive on-the-job training and do not require formal education beyond a high school diploma or GED.
  • Some vocational schools offer certificate programs in chiropractic assisting, which can provide additional training and may make candidates more competitive in the job market.
• Medical Transcriptionist:
  • Medical transcriptionists typically need to complete a postsecondary certificate program in medical transcription, which can be completed in less than a year.
  • These programs provide training in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, grammar and punctuation, and transcription techniques.
  • Some employers may also require certification by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) to demonstrate proficiency in medical transcription.

Chiropractic Assistant vs Medical Transcriptionist: Career Outlook and Salary

• Chiropractic Assistant:
  • The career outlook for chiropractic assistants is positive, with a projected job growth rate of 11% from 2018 to 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
  • The median annual wage for chiropractic assistants was $34,520 in May 2019, with the highest 10% earning more than $46,090.
  • The demand for chiropractic assistants is expected to increase as the population continues to age and seek alternative healthcare options.
• Medical Transcriptionist:
  • The career outlook for medical transcriptionists is not as promising, with a projected job decline of 3% from 2018 to 2028, according to the BLS.
  • Advances in technology, such as voice recognition software, have reduced the demand for traditional medical transcriptionists.
  • The median annual wage for medical transcriptionists was $33,380 in May 2019, with the highest 10% earning more than $51,260.
  • However, there may still be opportunities for medical transcriptionists who specialize in specific areas, such as legal or insurance transcription.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a career path in the healthcare field is a big decision, and it's important to carefully consider your interests, skills, and career goals. Both chiropractic assisting and medical transcription offer unique opportunities to contribute to patient care and support healthcare professionals.

If you enjoy direct patient interaction and administrative tasks, a career as a chiropractic assistant may be the right fit for you. On the other hand, if you have excellent listening and transcription skills and prefer a more flexible work environment, becoming a medical transcriptionist may be a better choice.

Ultimately, the decision between a chiropractic assistant and a medical transcriptionist will depend on your individual preferences and career aspirations. Take the time to research and explore both options, and consider speaking with professionals in each field to gain a better understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities and opportunities for growth.

Dreambound's programs are available in different places. Check these blogs for a good look at the two vocations, including what you need and tips on how to start:

• Chiropractic Assistant in Washington
• Medical Transcriptionist in Washington
• Chiropractic Assistant classes near you
• Medical Transcriptionist classes near you