Typing Contractor Opportunities

 

Note: It is advisable that you do not call regarding typing contractor opportunities. Please create your application in our contractor recruitment program once you have read the information below.

 

What are the benefits of working as a typing contractor?

Working as a typing contractor for Pacific Transcription can be a great business opportunity for the right person, and we are always looking for motivated contractors to join our typing contractor panel. Our typing contractors have the opportunity to type transcripts on a range of varied and interesting subject matter, from press conferences, AGMs and finance briefings to market research interviews and police records of interview, to medical and radiology dictations.  Some of the other benefits include:

  • Flexible working arrangements including the ability to work from home and set your own hours**
  • Having the satisfaction of running your own successful business and ability to hire others
  • Research and be responsible for your own transcripts
  • Be rewarded for superior quality
  • Earn more for faster typing and greater efficiency or increase your offering of services to include proofing and editing

** Please note that you need to be available to transcribe at least 5 hours of audio per week (this equates to approximately 20 hours of typing depending on your speed and efficiency), with at least 3 hours of audio being transcribed during standard office hours for your timezone (e.g. GMT for UK typists, AEST for Australian and New Zealand typists).

 

What skills do I need to succeed as a typing contractor?

Whilst many people believe that typing is 'easy' and anyone can do it, in reality typists are highly skilled professionals who must possess a broad range of skills and qualities in order to perform their job effectively. The skills that you need to be a successful typing contractor include:

  • Listening. You need to have a good ear for audio and be able to understand and transcribe file with poor audio quality or where the speakers have foreign accents.
  • Research. You need to be able to use the internet (Google) to research names and key terms. 
  • Language. You need a highly developed understanding of English grammar, punctuation and spelling. You need to understand how grammar and punctuation can convey or change a speaker's intended meaning.
  • Management. As you will effectively be running your own business, you need to be able to manage your time appropriately so that you are able to meet deadlines and balance competing priorities. You will be responsible for you and any workers' productivity and invoicing.  You will take pride and ownership in your work, always striving to produce transcripts of the highest quality possible.
  • Communication. You need to be an open and honest communicator. In particular you need to be able to communicate with us in relation to your work, particularly about your ability to meet deadlines.
  • Computer literacy. You must be a confident user of information technology. This means you need to know how to use Microsoft Word to format and edit documents. You also need to be confident in downloading, installing and setting up new programs on your computer. Of course, it goes without saying that you need to be able to touch type at a minimum speed of 60 words per minute with an accuracy rate of 97%. 

In addition to all of the above, you need to genuinely enjoy typing. We are passionate about providing high quality, on-time transcripts which not only satisfy but delight our clients, and we are looking for contractors who will share this passion. 

 

Do I need to live in Australia to work as a typing contractor for Pacific Transcription?

No. Whilst the majority of our typists are based in Australia, we also hire typists based in the following locations:

  • New Zealand
  • United Kingdom
  • South Africa*
  • Japan*
  • Singapore*
  • Hong Kong*

We particularly encourage Australian/NZ/UK typists who are living overseas (either permanently or temporarily) to apply.

We will also consider typists from other countries on a case by case basis*.

*Please note that native English language proficiency is required.

 

Do I need previous transcription experience?

The level of previous experience you need depends on the type of transcription that you wish to undertake. A description of the level of experience required for each of our three main transcription categories is provided below.

General Transcription. The main focus of our general transcription category is on media conferences and finance briefings.  Other work undertaken includes transcription of focus groups and one-on-one interviews for academic and market research, as well as some legal transcription (e.g. police records of interview).  Preference will be given to typists who:

  • have previous audio transcription experience;
  • have experience transcribing media briefings (e.g. press conferences) and/or finance briefings (e.g. AGMs, investor presentations etc);
  • have knowledge of finance terminology gained through work experience or study in a related area, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge;
  • have the ability to understand and transcribe a range of accents, particularly Asian accents.

Medical Transcription.  Ideally you should have at least three (3) years of experience as a medical typist across a number of specialties. Medical typists must also be capable of undertaking some general transcription work (see General Transcription category above).

Radiology Transcription. You need to have at least three (3) years experience as a radiology typist in a hospital or radiology practice. You also need experience in nuclear medicine and MRI. Familiarity with programs such as Occam, Comrade, PACS/RIS, Karisma, Promedicus or Winscribe would be advantageous. Radiology typists must also be capable of undertaking some general transcription work (see General Transcription category above).

 

Additional information for Australian applicants

Opportunities for Australian typing contractors are extremely competitive and preference is given to applicants who:

  • are willing to commit more than the minimum hours;
  • can type across a range of areas;
  • demonstrate a desire to operate as a professional business with a partnership, company or family trust structure and to take on subcontracting/management of staff (strong preference is given to such applicants).

 

What equipment/technology is recommended for typing contractors?

Due to the need to download large audio files, we suggest that contractors have a broadband Internet service installed. For compatibility reasons it is also suggested that contractors have a PC (desktop or laptop) running Windows XP, VIsta or 7 and Microsoft Office 2003, 2007 or 2010.  Please note that we strongly advise against the use of Apple/Mac computers as they are unable to play several of the major file types used by Pacific. 

Contractors need to be able to produce transcripts from a range of audio recordings with variable audio quality. In general, we find that a set of external speakers with volume control, and a set of good quality headphones, provides optimum audio quality.  

It is also recommended that contractors purchase a transcription foot pedal which is compatible with the free audio player Express Scribe, as this is the main audio player used by Pacific Transcription. 

 

How are completed jobs paid for?

Contractors are generally paid per minute of audio transcribed (except for medical typists who may be paid per line).  The rate per minute of audio varies depending upon a range of factors such as the difficulty of subject matter, number of speakers, quality of the audio etc.

Contractors who produce consistently high quality work can earn an additional Quality Bonus.

 

How do I apply?

If you are able to meet all of the requirements outlined above, and would like to apply to join Pacific Transcription's typing contractor panel, please begin your application by clicking on the link below.

IMPORTANT: Please note that prior to submitting your application form you will need to complete the 'Astronauts' typing test (1 minute in length) from www.typingtest.com. Please be sure to record your results (typing speed, errors, accuracy and adjusted speed) as you will need to enter them into our application form. You will also need to undertake a short "Online Hearing Test" available at www.bayaudio.com.au and then record your result in our application form.

 

WARNING: Upon creating your application, you will have 24 hours from submitting it in which you must also complete our basic quality assurance test . If you are unable to complete this within 24 hours, please do not begin your application.

 

Click Here to create your application with Pacific Transcription

Click Here to log in to your existing applicant account

CRS applicants only: please click here to take our evaluation exam