We are corporate members of the Transcription Society, a UK based non-profit organisation for the accreditation of transcribers. Most of our transcribers are individual members as well, accredited to Standard, Advanced or Expert level.

We are members of the American Translators Association.

Yes – click here to view our Data Protection, Personal Data and GDPR Policy online. A copy can be provided as a pdf or word document, on request.

Yes we do. We provide an encrypted email solution to all our clients using Egress Protect. When you send us your recordings using our ISO 27001 accredited, military security graded TLS secure file upload service we process the work and you can be guaranteed that your recordings will be kept within strong cyber security measures. Once the transcripts of the audio recordings have been completed these will be sent back to you via Egress Protect encrypted email, which means that the email is sent via the Egress servers and encrypted at the point it is sent, and decrypted at the point you receive it. Egress is used by the NHS, government institutions, universities and NATO to provide secure email services.

For a full article on our encrypted email solution and more information about Egress Protect, please read this article: https://tptranscription.co.uk/how-do-we-communicate-securely-by-email-with-you/

For our UK clients all of our English to English transcribers are based in the UK and are native English speakers. We have offices in North Wales, London and Glasgow. Our office in Dublin has Irish transcribers located on the island of Ireland, providing English to English transcription for our EU clients.

This does mean of course that, unlike a lot of our competitors, your data never leaves the UK or the EU.

Our translators are based around the world in varying locations, although we do have a number of translators who are UK based and work regularly with us on more mainstream assignments (eg German to English or Danish to French).

Yes. Our file upload service is based in the UK (London), our company server is located in Denbighshire, North Wales, and our transcribers are based solely in the UK. Our secure email service is also UK based, so all communication is sent in the UK and does not leave the country at any time.

All English to English standard transcription remains in the UK at all times and is not transferred overseas or stored offshore at any time in the process.

If you are an EU client, we have the same service available at our Dublin office – all data will remain within the EU, although at present the GDPR rules in both the UK and the EU are aligned and data can travel between the two jurisdictions. If the systems diverge in future we are still able to provide the same level of service to our EU clients. Our EU office and website can be viewed here: www.tptranscription.ie

We ask all our clients to notify us if the content of their recordings contains anything that they think is potentially triggering or contains potentially upsetting material.

Our transcribers make us aware of any topics they want to personally avoid exposure to, and we make sure wherever possible that they are not sent any recordings that relate to these.

We have a policy of reallocating files immediately if transcribers decide that subject matter is not suitable for them. This does not impact on our clients, usually because we are already aware of the issues individual transcribers do not want to be exposed to. Our full policy and guidance on trigger warnings is here: https://www.universitytranscriptions.co.uk/trigger-warnings-content-notifications/

This is perhaps one of the most common calls our company receives. Our answer is always yes, always, because we have a very large extended team of UK-based, qualified and approved transcribers who work with us as associate transcriptionists as and when we have the work. We handle orders of hundreds of hours of academic & business interviews and recordings on a weekly basis, and our capacity is endless. So, our answer is always yes, send us your work and we will get it back to you within the allotted time. Our company goes out of its way to meet deadlines, and one particular example springs to mind of a Christmas week when the board of directors and the transcribers all worked to fulfil a contract for a business in desperate circumstances where recordings were needed to be transcribed for a court hearing starting on January 2nd. Not only did we complete the project, but we also completed extra work that had not been expected from the client within time as well.

The reason this question is asked so often is because there are a lot of one- and two-person transcription companies out there who take orders on a capacity basis – i.e., they take the order if they have availability, and they decline the order if they do not. It may surprise some people to know that this also applies to some of the bigger companies, who will take file uploads and then return them again if they do not have the capacity to complete the work. We do not under any circumstances return work – our clients trust us to complete.

You can quite easily tell which companies and transcription services are likely not to have sufficient capacity to complete work on a regular basis simply by looking at their website and their price page. If a company does not have a pricing page, it is highly likely either their prices are very expensive, or they are doing the work as and when it comes in, so if they have availability they will price at a lower level, and if they don’t have a lot of availability they will increase the cost.

Our company is always available, our prices are clearly displayed on our website, and applied to all our clients regardless of size or location.

So, yes we have availability at all times for all types of transcription, whether English to English or other language, as well as translation work. Get in touch today for a quote.

Yes – we are always happy to sign confidentiality undertakings and NDAs (non-disclosure agreements). We have an online system in place to complete one instantly via our e-signature software. Click here to see our standard confidentiality undertaking template.

We have an ISO9001:2015 compliant Quality Management System, an approved compliant UKAS accredited & audited ISO27001:2022 Information Security Management System and we operate a compliant ISO14001:2015 Environmental Management System.

Yes we do. We have NHS clients across the UK including Public Health Wales/Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru, NHS trusts, hospitals, individual medics and researchers. We have completed the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit assessment.

We invoice you once the work is complete. We do not ask for payment in advance. Payment methods include Visa Debit and Credit, MasterCard Debit and Credit, American Express, Paypal, Stripe, bank transfer and cheque.

Click here for a list of our current prices and an instant quote. Personalised quotations available on request. Contact us for quotes for 50 hours of work or more.

We offer an instant quote service online. Click here to get a price for your work.

No. We have transcribers with many years experience and expertise in transcribing strong regional accents and second language English speakers. Unlike a lot of our competitors we do not charge extra for transcribing strong accents. The same applies for our transcription services in other languages.

No. We do not charge extra for background noise or poor quality recordings. We have specialist software that boosts particular frequencies and assists us to detect and extract the speech from a recording.

If the voices on the recording are completely inaudible we will let you know before commencing work and discuss options for accessing the audio and transcribing it.

Yes we do. If you need to raise a PO get in touch and we can provide a formal quote with the full cost of your transcriptions which makes completing a POR (purchase order request) form easier. For customers who are uploading files regularly we can send a quote at the end of each month for the total amount of files uploaded that month.

We are listed as a supplier on the purchasing systems of a number of government institutions, large companies and most universities.

Yes – we offer discounts on bulk orders of more than 50 hours. Contact us for details.

Unfortunately when it comes to transcription our prices are not set at a level where we are able to offer a discount to students and maintain a sufficient level of profit to resource the company. We offer some of the lowest prices in the UK for English to English transcription using native English speakers. Discounts are offered for bulk orders of 50 hours or more.

You do not need to open an account in order to send us transcription. We have no minimum order sizes (or maximum) and are as happy to accept an order for a 1 minute audio file as we are to work on a 10,000 hour 5 year project. We operate on a pay as you go basis. Place your order, upload your file and we will transcribe and return. We invoice once the work is complete. You are not tied in to our services at any time.

Can I place an order for work to be completed in the future: Yes, absolutely. This option is very popular with our university clients who often need to get clearance for projects from their finance departments prior to budget deadlines. Simply estimate the size of your order and we can provide an invoice for payment in advance of recordings being made available for transcription.  As you send us recordings to transcribe, we simply deduct it from the prepayment. Any difference is refunded or charged for, accordingly.

Verbatim transcription is quite a meticulous method of converting spoken language into written text, capturing every word exactly as it is spoken, including all utterances, non-verbal sounds, and any grammatical errors. This type of transcription is distinguished from other forms by its high level of detail and accuracy, making it invaluable in various professional contexts such as legal proceedings, medical transcriptions, qualitative research, and journalism. However it is not usually necessary to simply capture the content of an audio recording.

The Basics of Verbatim Transcription

Verbatim transcription involves transcribing every word from an audio or video recording without altering the content in any way. Unlike edited or intelligent transcription, which may simplify or paraphrase the spoken word, verbatim transcription includes all verbal cues and fillers such as “um”, “ah”, “you know”, and false starts.

The purpose of verbatim transcription is not just to capture the words but also the manner in which those words are spoken. This includes laughter, coughs, pauses, and interruptions, which can provide additional context and insights into the speaker’s emotional state and the dynamics of the conversation. Such details are crucial for understanding the full nuance and intent behind the spoken words, which can be critical in legal settings, psychological evaluations, and scholarly research.

Applications of Verbatim Transcription

1. Legal Industry: In legal contexts, accuracy is paramount. Verbatim transcripts of court proceedings, witness depositions, and legal discussions ensure that every aspect of the spoken word is captured and can be reviewed in detail. This is crucial for case analysis, appeals, and legal documentation.
2. Medical Field: Accurate transcription of doctor-patient consultations, medical examinations, and advisory meetings can be critical for patient care and medical research. Verbatim transcription ensures that every detail is noted for future reference or legal compliance.
3. Research: Qualitative researchers rely on verbatim transcription to capture complete dialogue from interviews, focus groups, and experiments. The detailed transcripts allow researchers to perform thorough content analysis and interpret the data more accurately.
4. Media and Journalism: Journalists and documentarians use verbatim transcription to capture exact quotes and ensure that the context of spoken communication is preserved. This helps in creating accurate reports and documentaries where the authenticity of dialogue is essential.

For most other clients, we think that intelligent verbatim or intelligent transcription is the better option. It is also cheaper as it takes less time to transcribe.

Advantages of Verbatim Transcription

• Comprehensive Record: Provides a full, detailed textual representation of the audio, including emotional and contextual cues.
• Useful for Analysis: Essential for cases where in-depth analysis of dialogue and spoken interactions is required.
• Legal and Medical Accuracy: Meets the stringent requirements of legal and medical documentation.

Challenges of Verbatim Transcription

• Time-Consuming: It is more labour-intensive and time-consuming than other types of transcription due to the level of detail required.
• Costly: The effort involved can make it more expensive than simpler transcription methods.
• Complexity: The inclusion of non-verbal sounds and filler words can make the transcript difficult to read and understand for those unfamiliar with this format.

Choosing the Right Transcription Service

When opting for verbatim transcription, it is crucial to choose a transcription service that understands the importance of accuracy and detail. Experienced transcribers who are familiar with the industry-specific jargon and nuances can ensure the highest quality transcripts. Services like TP Transcription Limited offer specialised verbatim transcription services tailored to meet the needs of various sectors including legal, medical, and academic research.

To transcribe is to make a record of an audio or video recording in a written document as text.  So essentially, in a nutshell transcribing is the conversion of the spoken word into written word. 

To transcribe is the actual act of converting the data in the audio and video into data that can be read.  Transcribing is a service provided by professional transcribers, a huge service industry worth over $10 billion worldwide, and set up to assist a whole range of different individuals, businesses and professionals with their transcription needs.  Transcribing is often quite a technical process to convert audio or video recording to the written word. This is because it requires somebody with the skills to be able to convert spoken word into written text and for that reason any reputable transcription business with a professional outlook will use native speakers to undertake the task. 

Transcribing is a professional occupation, and you can obtain a qualification from a number of different organisations in order to offer this type of work.  It can be well paid depending on your ability to type and also your accuracy levels. 

If you would like any audio or video files transcribing please visit www.tptranscription.co.uk where you can get full details of our services or give us a call to discuss your requirement or project.

Read our full article here – https://tptranscription.co.uk/how-long-does-human-transcription-take-to-complete/

A transcriptionist is a term used mainly in the USA to describe an audio typist. The definition is essentially someone who is able to audio type, ie has the ability to listen to an audio or video recording and prepare a written document from it. 

It takes a number of skills to be a transcriptionist including the ability to listen carefully, detect words and phrases that a normal average person would not be able to pick out, be able to understand accents or regional dialects in their own language, be able to proficiently type at a good speed, usually more than 60 words per minute and to own transcription software. Decent equipment is essential to be able to transcribe, which usually means having a good quality PC or laptop with a comfortable keyboard as well as a decent pair of headphones and a foot pedal. 

A transcriptionist is exactly the same as a transcriber. The two terms describe exactly the same job, but the use of both depends on where you are in the world. 

Transcriptionist tends to be the preferred term in the USA and transcriber tends to be the term used in the UK. 

You can become a professional transcriptionist and one way of achieving recognition is to join the Transcription Society and get accredited.  An accredited Transcription Society member can use the logo on their website and stationery and this gives credibility and professional recognition when dealing with transcription companies and also with clients.  For details of professional transcriptionists based in the UK but working for academic and business clients around the world please visit www.tptranscription.co.uk.

A transcriptionist is a professional typist who converts spoken language into written text. This role is critical in various fields such as healthcare, law, media, and business, where clear and accurate written records of audio or video content are necessary. Transcriptionists play a key role in ensuring that the information conveyed in recordings is accessible, searchable, and easier to analyse.

The Role of a Transcriptionist

The primary job of a transcriptionist is to listen to voice recordings and accurately type them into documents. These recordings might include meetings, interviews, lectures, legal proceedings, medical consultations, or any instance where verbal communications need to be archived. A transcriptionist must be adept at understanding and interpreting various accents and dialects, as well as proficient in the language of the audio. They must also be able to discern and correctly transcribe nuanced audio amidst background noise or overlapping conversations.

Skills Required

1. Listening Skills: Transcriptionists need exceptional listening skills to catch every word and sound in recordings, including understanding different accents and speech nuances.
2. Typing Speed and Accuracy: Efficient typing skills are crucial. Transcriptionists often need to type fast to keep up with the audio, without compromising on the accuracy of the text.
3. Language Skills: Good command of the language used in the audio is necessary, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Knowing professional jargon related to specific fields (like medical or legal terminology) is also beneficial.
4. Attention to Detail: A keen attention to detail ensures that transcriptionists can produce transcripts that are as close to the original recording as possible.
5. Discretion and Confidentiality: Since they often work with sensitive information, maintaining confidentiality and handling data responsibly is crucial.

Tools of the Trade

Transcriptionists use various tools to aid their work:

• Transcription Software: Software like Express Scribe helps manage audio playback with features such as foot pedal control and speed adjustment.
• Headphones: High-quality headphones can reduce background noise and focus on the audio clarity.
• Ergonomic Equipment: Since transcriptionists spend long periods sitting and typing, ergonomic keyboards, chairs, and desks are important to prevent strain and injury.

Types of Transcription

There are two main types of transcription:

• Verbatim: Every word is transcribed exactly as spoken, including fillers and non-speech sounds. This type is often used in legal contexts.
• Intelligent Verbatim (also called Intelligent Transcription): It goes a step further by paraphrasing and omitting irrelevant information, focusing only on the critical points of the audio.

Industries Covered

Transcriptionists are vital across multiple sectors:

• Medical Transcriptionists: They transcribe patient consultations and medical procedures, which are crucial for accurate medical records.
• Legal Transcriptionists: They create written records of legal proceedings, such as court hearings and depositions.
• Media Transcriptionists: They work with media productions to provide scripts for broadcasts and subtitles for films and television.
• General Business: From board meeting records to training sessions, transcriptionists help maintain a written record that is useful for documentation and compliance purposes.

Audio transcription is the production of a written document from a recording of audio and can be summed up as ‘the conversion of spoken word into written word’. 

It usually involves a digital audio file, whether a .M4a file, .wav file or a .MP3 file, and a transcription is very often provided as a Microsoft Word document (.docx). 

Audio transcription has been around for over 70 years and has been used for a wide range of different types of recording, whether dictation of notes, letters and memos, research interviews, interviews between subjects and interviewers, police station interviews, court proceeding recordings, inquests, conference recordings, academic lectures, medical notes, covert recordings and much more besides. 

Transcription of audio can be done by humans who are classed as professional transcribers or transcriptionists (both these terms refer to the same thing) and also by AI. The latter is effective at transcribing dictation (one voice per audio file) but continuing at present to be utterly ineffective at transcribing more than one speaker. 

The price of audio transcription varies from transcription company to transcription company, but it usually depends on the length of the recording, the quality of the recording (budget transcription companies tend to reject anything that’s not easy to hear), the turnaround time needed –  the faster the more expensive –  and the requirement for the recording (i.e. is it a police station tape or court proceedings or an academic research interview).

TP Transcription Limited are specialist professional audio transcribers and have been providing human audio transcription services to universities, academics, businesses, lawyers and private individuals for over 20 years.  For details of our full services including copy typing, subtitling, all language transcription services, translation and English-to-English transcription please visit our website at  www.tptranscription.co.uk.

The words ‘academic transcript’ are often confused because they are used in a lot of different ways. Firstly when you obtain a degree from a UK university or indeed a university around the world, the university provides you with a transcript of your degree.

However, the words ‘academic transcript’ are used not only to describe the record of your achievements and results for a university degree, but also used in terms of transcribing audio and video recordings.

A transcript is a written version of text which has been prepared by a transcriber, and is a documented record of an audio or video recording. The transcriber is the person who listens to and/or watches the recording and prepares the written document. The process of transcription is the preparation of the written document and the transcript is the written document itself.

So yes we can help with the preparation of academic transcription work, but we cannot assist you get a copy of your academic transcript from a university. For a list of universities and guidance on contacting universities to request a copy of your academic transcript, please visit the advice page on our sister site University Transcriptions – https://www.universitytranscriptions.co.uk/university-transcripts-and-how-to-get-them/

Yes we do. We have provided ‘real time’ manual transcription services for many years – it is highly specialist work. For example we have live transcribed the BAFTA award night for an instant transcription to be available to media companies and we regularly provide instant transcription services to a number of academic clients who need transcripts available immediately.

For details of our live transcription service please visit https://www.universitytranscriptions.co.uk/live-transcription/

We also offer an instant transcription service, which is available at a premium price to our existing clients. Upload files and simply request an immediate return.

For details of our premium instant transcription service (90 minute return time) please visit https://tptranscription.co.uk/instant-accurate-transcription/

Yes. We offer various options for GDPR and HIPAA compliant anonymisation and de-identification, as well as pseudonymisation. Please click here for details.

We have as much capacity as you will ever need to get your work done. Whether you send us one minute or 500,000 minutes of recording, we will be able to handle your work. Our team of transcribers expands according to the work we have available.

Large enough to handle bulk work, small enough to care

Recently, we were involved in a tender for an organisation in Scotland who were looking for a transcription provider to undertake interview transcription work in relation to a research project. We completed the tender, indicated our price, but were later informed that we had been unsuccessful in getting the work. However – six months later we were contacted out of the blue to ask if we could take over the contract. The transcription provider who won the contract had not been able to handle the quantities of work. We were delighted to assist!

Bespoke service

A few years ago we completed a project for a large insurance company who had been let down by another provider just before Christmas, who needed 100 hours of recordings transcribed by the new year. We took the work, set up our transcription teams and as a business we completed the project on time and within budget by the new year, working over the Christmas break to get it done.

Our team

We have a team of 110 professional transcribers who work with us regularly on projects, and indicate their capacity each week. We are able to complete well over 1000 hours of work per week if needs be.

Bulk capacity

Our company does not just have 110 transcribers able to complete 1000 hours of recordings per week. If you were to send us half a million hours of recording, we would take the work on, because not only do we have our regular 110 transcribers, our management team and our team of proof readers, but we also have a secondary bank of professional transcribers who we tap in and out of as and when needed in order to complete projects.

We are able to expand and contract our services according to the workload we have on at any time. You may have read in other articles that all our transcribers prefer to work on a flexible basis, because they undertake the work to fit into their own lifestyles. This is one of the reasons why we are able to provide our clients with this flexibility, so that if a large project comes in, we can take on more transcriber hours in order to get the work done.

No outsourcing

We never sub-contract to third party companies, and we do not send the work out overseas at any time. Because we do a lot of work for the NHS and academic institutions in the UK and around the world, with specific and highly confidential data sets, we have servers based in the UK and our upload facilities and dashboard services are all operated behind stringent security and firewalls.

Unlimited capacity

Our capacity is unlimited. We may not be able to get back half a million hours of recording to you within 48 hours of you sending it to us, but we would be able to handle the work on your behalf.

No order is too small

At the same time, we are more than happy to have a conversation with somebody with a page of copy typing or a three-minute recording, which is as important to us as the half a million hours of work a large company send us.

Call us for a chat

To discuss your project, large or small, please contact us using the contact page above, or get in touch with our Managing Director, Anna Gresty, who is always happy to have a conversation with you.

Yes we do. We provide an encrypted email solution to all our clients using Egress Protect. When you send us your recordings using our ISO 27001 accredited, military security graded TLS secure file upload service we process the work and you can be guaranteed that your recordings will be kept within strong cyber security measures. Once the transcripts of the audio recordings have been completed these will be sent back to you via Egress Protect encrypted email, which means that the email is sent via the Egress servers and encrypted at the point it is sent, and decrypted at the point you receive it. Egress is used by the NHS, government institutions, universities and NATO to provide secure email services.

For a full article on our encrypted email solution and more information about Egress Protect, please read this article: https://tptranscription.co.uk/how-do-we-communicate-securely-by-email-with-you/

We are a specialist transcription business who provide transcription services using professional transcribers (also known as transcriptionists) to our clients in order to produce a written version of the spoken word.  A lot of transcription companies will only offer services in one language, and this is quite often English to English.  The spoken word is English and the written text prepared by the transcriber is also English.

We also provide transcription in other languages, and have worked in a whole range of different language types and locations over the years including Brazilian Portuguese, a whole range of African languages, Welsh, French, Danish and many more besides. 

Transcription vs Translation

If we produce a written version of an audio or video recording in the language in which it was spoken, then the work is classed as ‘transcription’. If we provide a written document in a language other than the actual spoken lanague then this is translation.  Translation often requires a two-stage process, so very often a transcriber will prepare the text from the audio or video recording in the same language as it was spoken, and then a specialist linguist will translate that language into any other language required.

Translation Costs More

It is for this reason that translation work is usually considerably more expensive than transcription work because it involves this two-stage process.  It is quite rare to find translators and specialist linguists who are prepared to offer transcription services in the same way that a transcriber working in another language is prepared to do.  For ease of use it is very often simpler to utilise the services of a transcriber or transcriptionist in the first instance and then get the resulting text translated into another language.

Summary

So in summary the difference between transcription and translation is that transcription is the production of text from the spoken word in the same language and translation can involve the production of text from the spoken word but it will involve translating or changing the language of the spoken text when preparing the written word.

If you have any questions about the difference between translation and transcription please get in touch with TP Transcription Limited at www.tptranscription.co.uk we are specialists in transcription in English to English but also in any other language around the world together with any translation work you may require in addition to transcription.

We provide transcription services for any world language. If we are transcribing the spoken word in an audio recording into the same language as it sounds, then the work is transcription. If we are transcribing into a different language the work is translation.

A list of languages is available here: https://tptranscription.co.uk/translation-and-non-english-transcription/.

To get an instant quotation for non-English transcription or translation please click here.

Yes we do. We provide an encrypted email solution to all our clients using Egress Protect. When you send us your recordings using our ISO 27001 accredited, military security graded TLS secure file upload service we process the work and you can be guaranteed that your recordings will be kept within strong cyber security measures. Once the transcripts of the audio recordings have been completed these will be sent back to you via Egress Protect encrypted email, which means that the email is sent via the Egress servers and encrypted at the point it is sent, and decrypted at the point you receive it. Egress is used by the NHS, government institutions, universities and NATO to provide secure email services.

For a full article on our encrypted email solution and more information about Egress Protect, please read this article: https://tptranscription.co.uk/how-do-we-communicate-securely-by-email-with-you/

Yes. Our file upload service is based in the UK (London), our company server is located in Denbighshire, North Wales, and our transcribers are based solely in the UK. Our secure email service is also UK based, so all communication is sent in the UK and does not leave the country at any time.

All English to English standard transcription remains in the UK at all times and is not transferred overseas or stored offshore at any time in the process.

If you are an EU client, we have the same service available at our Dublin office – all data will remain within the EU, although at present the GDPR rules in both the UK and the EU are aligned and data can travel between the two jurisdictions. If the systems diverge in future we are still able to provide the same level of service to our EU clients. Our EU office and website can be viewed here: www.tptranscription.ie

Yes. We are listed as users on some university systems, for example OxFiles (the large file upload service from the University of Oxford) and UCL Data Safe Haven (University College London). You will need to contact your IT department to ask them to give us access or login details.

It is good security policy not to share a password via the same method as the link. If you upload via the UK based server there is no need to share the link password as we can access it. If you are using your own university server and want to share your password then you can phone the office or WhatsApp the password so that you are not using the same method as the audio file.

To use our simple online file upload system for files smaller than 1GB each, please click here. The upload facility is SSL Encrypted.

Click here for alternative options, including our UK GDPR compliant server, Dropbox, WeTransfer, One Drive, Google Drive, Whatsapp, email and post.

Yes. Click the link below for a range of options. We can accept files using Dropbox, WeTransfer, OneDrive, Google Drive, Whatsapp, email, post, courier and a range of organisation server upload options (eg Oxfile – the University of Oxford large file exchange service).

Yes – you can Whatsapp your audio files to us by using 07884 922902 from your smartphone.

A medical transcriptionist is a professional transcriber or transcriptionist who specialises in the production of medical transcription. 

Medical transcription is the process of converting audio and video files and recordings to documents, usually in digital form.  It can involve the production of medical notes, patient records, letters between hospital doctors and GPs, the production of letters for patients’ employers, the preparation of expert medical reports for court proceedings, preparation of expert medical reports for insurance companies, producing medical opinions for welfare benefit checks, and anything else connected to the relationship between a patient and a doctor or health professional. 

It can also include the provision of medical research and the accurate transcription of medical research interviews between academics and medics and subjects, either with or without a particular health condition, as well as the accurate transcription of audio/video recordings of medical conferences and seminars, whether online or face to face.

A medical transcriptionist can sometimes be called upon to produce live transcription, which is the service of providing an instant and accurate written document of any spoken word instantly without delay.  Live transcription requires a particular level of expertise from a medical transcriptionist and is not something carried out by the vast majority of transcription services.

The difference between a medical transcriptionist and a medical transcriber is simply the use of terminology.  In the USA and Canada the term ‘transcriptionist’ is used and in the UK and Europe, as well as Australia and New Zealand, the use of the term ‘transcriber’ is used.  Other than this there is no difference between a medical transcriptionist and a medical transcriber and both work on the whole wide range of services as indicted above.

A transcriptionist is a term used mainly in the USA to describe an audio typist. The definition is essentially someone who is able to audio type, ie has the ability to listen to an audio or video recording and prepare a written document from it. 

It takes a number of skills to be a transcriptionist including the ability to listen carefully, detect words and phrases that a normal average person would not be able to pick out, be able to understand accents or regional dialects in their own language, be able to proficiently type at a good speed, usually more than 60 words per minute and to own transcription software. Decent equipment is essential to be able to transcribe, which usually means having a good quality PC or laptop with a comfortable keyboard as well as a decent pair of headphones and a foot pedal. 

A transcriptionist is exactly the same as a transcriber. The two terms describe exactly the same job, but the use of both depends on where you are in the world. 

Transcriptionist tends to be the preferred term in the USA and transcriber tends to be the term used in the UK. 

You can become a professional transcriptionist and one way of achieving recognition is to join the Transcription Society and get accredited.  An accredited Transcription Society member can use the logo on their website and stationery and this gives credibility and professional recognition when dealing with transcription companies and also with clients.  For details of professional transcriptionists based in the UK but working for academic and business clients around the world please visit www.tptranscription.co.uk.

A transcriptionist is a professional typist who converts spoken language into written text. This role is critical in various fields such as healthcare, law, media, and business, where clear and accurate written records of audio or video content are necessary. Transcriptionists play a key role in ensuring that the information conveyed in recordings is accessible, searchable, and easier to analyse.

The Role of a Transcriptionist

The primary job of a transcriptionist is to listen to voice recordings and accurately type them into documents. These recordings might include meetings, interviews, lectures, legal proceedings, medical consultations, or any instance where verbal communications need to be archived. A transcriptionist must be adept at understanding and interpreting various accents and dialects, as well as proficient in the language of the audio. They must also be able to discern and correctly transcribe nuanced audio amidst background noise or overlapping conversations.

Skills Required

1. Listening Skills: Transcriptionists need exceptional listening skills to catch every word and sound in recordings, including understanding different accents and speech nuances.
2. Typing Speed and Accuracy: Efficient typing skills are crucial. Transcriptionists often need to type fast to keep up with the audio, without compromising on the accuracy of the text.
3. Language Skills: Good command of the language used in the audio is necessary, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Knowing professional jargon related to specific fields (like medical or legal terminology) is also beneficial.
4. Attention to Detail: A keen attention to detail ensures that transcriptionists can produce transcripts that are as close to the original recording as possible.
5. Discretion and Confidentiality: Since they often work with sensitive information, maintaining confidentiality and handling data responsibly is crucial.

Tools of the Trade

Transcriptionists use various tools to aid their work:

• Transcription Software: Software like Express Scribe helps manage audio playback with features such as foot pedal control and speed adjustment.
• Headphones: High-quality headphones can reduce background noise and focus on the audio clarity.
• Ergonomic Equipment: Since transcriptionists spend long periods sitting and typing, ergonomic keyboards, chairs, and desks are important to prevent strain and injury.

Types of Transcription

There are two main types of transcription:

• Verbatim: Every word is transcribed exactly as spoken, including fillers and non-speech sounds. This type is often used in legal contexts.
• Intelligent Verbatim (also called Intelligent Transcription): It goes a step further by paraphrasing and omitting irrelevant information, focusing only on the critical points of the audio.

Industries Covered

Transcriptionists are vital across multiple sectors:

• Medical Transcriptionists: They transcribe patient consultations and medical procedures, which are crucial for accurate medical records.
• Legal Transcriptionists: They create written records of legal proceedings, such as court hearings and depositions.
• Media Transcriptionists: They work with media productions to provide scripts for broadcasts and subtitles for films and television.
• General Business: From board meeting records to training sessions, transcriptionists help maintain a written record that is useful for documentation and compliance purposes.

When we are recruiting we post an advertisement for Associate Transcribers on our website at this address.