In today's ever-evolving healthcare industry, there is a growing need for skilled professionals who can support the work of doctors and pharmacists. Two such professions that often come to mind are medical transcriptionists and pharmacy technicians. While both these roles involve working in a healthcare setting, their job responsibilities and educational requirements differ significantly. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between a medical transcriptionist and a pharmacy technician, helping you understand which career path may be the best fit for you.

Introduction

Before diving into the specifics, it is important to have a basic understanding of what each role entails.

Medical Transcriptionist: A medical transcriptionist is responsible for converting voice-recorded medical reports into written documents. They listen to recordings made by healthcare professionals, such as doctors or nurses, and transcribe the information accurately. Medical transcriptionists must have a strong understanding of medical terminology and excellent typing skills.

Pharmacy Technician: A pharmacy technician, on the other hand, works closely with pharmacists to ensure the smooth operation of a pharmacy. They are responsible for dispensing medications, managing inventory, and interacting with patients. Pharmacy technicians need to have strong attention to detail and be knowledgeable about different types of medications.

Difference between a Medical Transcriptionist and Pharmacy Technician

While both medical transcriptionists and pharmacy technicians play vital roles in the healthcare industry, there are several key differences between the two professions.

Job Responsibilities:

• Medical Transcriptionist:
  • Listen to voice recordings made by healthcare professionals and transcribe them into written documents.
  • Edit and proofread transcriptions for accuracy.
  • Ensure that transcriptions adhere to specific formatting and style guidelines.
  • Maintain patient confidentiality and data security.
• Pharmacy Technician:
  • Receive and process prescription orders from healthcare professionals.
  • Measure, count, and label medication containers.
  • Maintain and update patient records.
  • Answer patient questions about medications and provide basic healthcare advice.

Work Environment:

• Medical Transcriptionist:
  • Work primarily in offices or from home.
  • Use specialized software and equipment to transcribe audio recordings.
  • Often work independently and have limited interaction with other healthcare professionals.
• Pharmacy Technician:
  • Work in retail pharmacies, hospitals, or long-term care facilities.
  • Interact with patients, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals on a daily basis.
  • May need to stand for long periods and lift heavy medication containers.

Skills Required:

• Medical Transcriptionist:
  • Excellent listening and typing skills.
  • Proficiency in medical terminology and anatomy.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Pharmacy Technician:
  • Strong math and organizational skills.
  • Knowledge of pharmaceutical calculations and drug interactions.
  • Excellent communication and customer service skills.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Medical Transcriptionist vs Pharmacy Technician: Job Description

Now that we have a clear understanding of the differences between medical transcriptionists and pharmacy technicians, let's take a closer look at their job descriptions.

Medical Transcriptionist:

Medical transcriptionists are responsible for converting voice-recorded medical reports into written documents. They listen to recordings made by healthcare professionals and transcribe the information accurately. This can include medical histories, physical examination reports, operative reports, and discharge summaries. Medical transcriptionists must have a strong understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, and pharmacology to ensure accurate and comprehensive transcriptions. They also need to be proficient in using specialized software and equipment to transcribe audio recordings.

Pharmacy Technician:

Pharmacy technicians work closely with pharmacists to ensure the smooth operation of a pharmacy. They receive and process prescription orders from healthcare professionals, measure, count, and label medication containers, and maintain patient records. Pharmacy technicians must have a strong attention to detail to ensure the accuracy of medication dosages and labeling. They also need to have knowledge of pharmaceutical calculations and drug interactions to provide accurate information to patients. Additionally, pharmacy technicians often interact directly with patients, answering questions about medications and providing basic healthcare advice.

Medical Transcriptionist vs Pharmacy Technician: Education and Training

The educational requirements for medical transcriptionists and pharmacy technicians differ significantly.

Medical Transcriptionist:

To become a medical transcriptionist, one typically needs to complete a postsecondary training program in medical transcription. These programs are often offered by community colleges or vocational schools and can range from several months to two years in duration. Coursework typically includes anatomy, medical terminology, grammar, and transcription techniques. Additionally, medical transcriptionists may choose to pursue voluntary certification to showcase their expertise and improve job prospects.

Pharmacy Technician:

Pharmacy technicians typically need to complete a postsecondary education program accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. These programs can be completed in as little as six months and cover topics such as pharmacy law, pharmaceutical calculations, and medication safety. Additionally, most states require pharmacy technicians to be certified, which involves passing an exam administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or the National Healthcareer Association.

Medical Transcriptionist vs Pharmacy Technician: Career Outlook and Salary

The career outlook and salary potential for medical transcriptionists and pharmacy technicians vary.

Medical Transcriptionist:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of medical transcriptionists is projected to decline by 2% from 2019 to 2029. This decline is primarily due to advancements in speech recognition technology, which reduces the need for human transcriptionists. However, there will still be a demand for medical transcriptionists, especially in healthcare facilities that prefer human transcriptions for accuracy and security. The median annual wage for medical transcriptionists was $33,380 in May 2020, according to the BLS.

Pharmacy Technician:

The employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 4% from 2019 to 2029, according to the BLS. This growth is attributed to the increased demand for prescription medications and the aging population. The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $34,020 in May 2020, according to the BLS. However, it is important to note that salaries can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and work setting.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between a career as a medical transcriptionist or a pharmacy technician ultimately depends on your interests, skills, and career goals. If you have excellent listening and typing skills, a strong understanding of medical terminology, and prefer working independently, a career as a medical transcriptionist may be a good fit for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy working directly with patients, have strong math and organizational skills, and are interested in the field of pharmacy, becoming a pharmacy technician may be the right choice. Both professions offer opportunities to work in the healthcare industry and make a positive impact on patient care.

Dreambound provides programs in several locations. Get detailed information about these two vocations by checking:

• Medical Transcriptionist in North Carolina
• Pharmacy Technician in North Carolina
• Medical Transcriptionist classes near you
• Pharmacy Technician classes near you