Court Reporters, Medical Transcriptionists, and Related Workers

(NOC 1251)

in All Business, Finance, and Administration

Court reporters record and transcribe verbatim the proceedings of courts, legislative assemblies and committees, and prepare transcripts for use by judges, tribunals and quasi-judicial panels. They are employed by courts of law, provincial and federal legislative assemblies and committees, or they may be self-employed. Medical transcriptionists record, transcribe and edit dictation by physicians and other health care providers, surgical proceedings, health-related reports and other medical documentation. They are employed by hospitals, medical clinics and doctors' offices, or they may be self-employed. Closed captioners and other transcriptionists are included in this group.

Job Outlook

Average

Estimate decline slightly employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 40 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2016

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 6600 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2016

The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. The number employed in this occupation is expected to decline slightly over the next few years, which may affect the number of new opportunities available. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Court Reporters, Medical Transcriptionists, and Related Workers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common. With employment conditions being somewhat seasonal, periods of downtime or layoff throughout the year affect some workers. Also, a fair portion of the workforce is self-employed, so having the option to "work for yourself" may appeal to some individuals’ interests/motivations.

The median employment income for 54% of Court Reporters, Medical Transcriptionists, and Related Workers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $38,365. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

Hourly Pay

$17.00

Minimum

$21.50

Median

$25.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,632

Minimum

$35,369

Median

$53,951

Maximum

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

Hourly Pay

$13.00

Minimum

$21.03

Median

$35.90

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,754

Minimum

$36,515

Median

$70,271

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Court reporters record and transcribe verbatim the proceedings of courts, legislative assemblies and committees, and prepare transcripts for use by judges, tribunals and quasi-judicial panels. They are employed by courts of law, provincial and federal legislative assemblies and committees, or they may be self-employed.

Medical transcriptionists record, transcribe and edit dictation by physicians and other health care providers, surgical proceedings, health-related reports and other medical documentation. They are employed by hospitals, medical clinics and doctors' offices, or they may be self-employed. Closed captioners and other transcriptionists are included in this group.

Job duties

Court reporters perform some or all of the following duties:

Record verbatim proceedings of courtroom using electronic stenograph machine or steno mask.
Respond to requests during court sessions to read back verbatim evidence.
Transcribe recorded proceedings in accordance with established formats.
Verify accuracy of transcripts by checking copy against original record of proceedings and accuracy of rulings by checking with judge.
Research and locate quotes to ensure accuracy.
Respond to requests for transcripts ordered by judges, lawyers or the public.
File and store shorthand notes of court session.

Medical transcriptionists perform some or all of the following duties:

Transcribe recorded dictation in accordance with established formats or written documentation from medical reports, correspondence, health records and patient information.
Proofread work for typographical and grammatical errors.
Edit transcripts for missing or incorrect content and formatting.

Sample job titles

braille transcriber
closed captioner
court recorder
court reporter
court stenographer
dictatypist
media transcriber
medical transcriptionist
transcriptionist

Skills

To work in these jobs, you need accurate and fast transcription and typing speeds, as well as excellent proofreading skills.

Job requirements

Court reporters require completion of high school and usually require completion of a college or other program in court reporting. They may also require the Chartered Shorthand Reporter (CSR) certificate.
Medical transcriptionists require completion of high school and usually require completion of a recognized medical transcription program. They may also require the Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) certificate.

Other considerations

Working in these jobs may cause back and neck strain due to sitting for long periods of time, as well as eye strain from computer screens. There is some mobility between jobs in this group and other occupations requiring similar knowledge of legal or medical terminology, such as legal or medical administrative positions.

By the numbers

Quick look

400

employed in 2016

78.0%

employed full-time

28.8%

self employed

94.4%

5.6%

52.9

median age

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

63,775

employed in 2016

81.3%

employed full-time

6.6%

self employed

73.4%

26.6%

47.9

median age

Where will I likely work?

56.7%

Halifax

14.4%

Northern

12.2%

Cape Breton

8.9%

Annapolis Valley

7.8%

Southern

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

Northern

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

40.0%

Management, Admin & Other Support

35.0%

Health Care and Social Assistance

16.3%

Public Administration

3.8%

Other Industries

2.5%

Other Professional Services

What is the age of Employment?

43.8%

55-64

18.8%

45-54

18.8%

35-44

12.5%

15-24

12.5%

65+

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

36.5%

45-54

28.0%

55-64

18.6%

35-44

10.7%

65+

6.0%

25-34

Top levels of education

61.2%

College certificate or diploma

$38,419 median annual income

17.6%

Bachelor's degree

$41,454 median annual income

11.8%

High school

$40,906 median annual income

4.7%

Trades certificate

N/A

4.7%

University certificate or diploma

N/A

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

34.4%

College certificate or diploma

$33,837 median annual income

23.7%

High school

$30,074 median annual income

22.9%

Bachelor's degree

$39,473 median annual income

5.8%

Trades certificate

$32,871 median annual income

4.7%

Less than high school

$23,775 median annual income

Education & training

Adult high school/secondary diploma programs

This program is typically offered at the high school level.

The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Siège Social: 1695, Route 1

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0

(902) 769-2114

Blanche.Theriault@usainteanne.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College - Adult Learning

PO Box 220

Halifax, NS B3J 2M4

(866) 679-6722

admissions@nscc.ca

Website

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Website

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Website

Court reporting/court reporter

This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.

This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to record and transcribe examinations, testimony, judicial orders and instructions, legal opinions, and other formal proceedings via print or electronic methods. These programs include courses in legal terminology, legal transcription, shorthand, verbatim recording, equipment operation and procedures, applicable regulations, and professional standards and ethics.

There are no schools in Nova Scotia offering this program.

Medical transcription/transcriptionist

This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.

This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to execute verbatim medical conference minutes, medical reports, and medical orders. These programs include courses in dictation and simultaneous recording, analysis of notes and visual evidence, medical terminology, data processing applications and skills, formal medical report and correspondence formats, professional standards, and applicable laws and regulations.

There are no schools in Nova Scotia offering this program.