The Working MTE

Question 1

Steps of an MTE’s job

Answer 1

1. Listen - to what is being dictated, keeping track of voice mistakes that will need correction.
2. Read - as you listen, making necessary corrections from what you heard.
3. Keyboard - The keyboard controls audio and cursor placement, and is your medium for text editing.
4. Proofing/Editing - Perfect the text, correcting misspelled words, incorrect word selection and grammar errors made by the SRT.

Question 2

ASP

Answer 2

ASP invests in digital dictation and transcription technology. They purchase medical coding databanks, transcription, coding, and billing templates, digital recording and storage, transmission, and word processing programs, and then rent them out either to you or your employer.

Question 3

Finger Exercise

Answer 3

In order to type quickly, you must first train your fingers to move quickly. Practice alternately moving each finger in the air—first slowly, then increasing your speed until you are moving them as fast as you possibly can. This is sort of like a wave, but start with your pinky finger, drop it down while lifting up your ring finger, drop that down as you lift up the middle finger and so on. Keep doing this, and increase the speed each time until all you see is a blur. Alternate doing this exercise on your right hand, then your left several times, and finally both hands together.

Not only does this get your fingers to move more rapidly than they are used to, it also builds up strength. There is very little that we do in our society that requires much finger strength. As a result, most people haven’t developed much muscular strength in their fingers. But if your fingers are weak, they will tire easily and you will not be able to type either as quickly or as long. Strength is a great asset in typing agility.

You should perform this exercise often for five to 15 minutes. Do it every day for the first week and then just whenever you think of it after that.

Question 4

Air Typing

Answer 4

If it is possible to do so without embarrassing yourself, practice associating the movement of your fingers with their placement on a keyboard, without actually using one. Whenever you are watching television, listening to someone speak, or talking to yourself, type in the air the words and sentences you hear. Simply move the appropriate fingers as you would if you were actually typing. This probably sounds ridiculous to you, and you might feel silly doing it. However, it is great practice for becoming a speedy typist.

Get into the habit of doing this for at least a few weeks or as long as it takes to be able to move the correct fingers without having to actually think about it. There are several ways that this exercise is effective in increasing your typing speed. It makes finger association an ingrained response. Anything that is an automatic physical reaction, as opposed to a conscious movement, is faster because it eliminates the step of thinking. Although it doesn’t take very long to formulate a single thought, it can really add up when it is required for every click on the keyboard.

Also, it is much easier to type on air than on an actual keyboard. There is no resistance in the air. Consequently, you can move your fingers much faster in the air.

Your fingers are not used to moving as quickly as they are able to. Doing the air typing exercise enables you to increase your basic motor speed—moving your fingers without hesitation and not having to worry about accuracy or hand placement. This enables you to lose your inhibitions about hitting the wrong keys and empowers you with greater confidence. Confidence in your abilities is also extremely important in mastering the keyboard. You should perform this exercise as often as possible.