This Long-Term Medical Transcriptionist Has Found the Secret to Work/Life Balance With Remote Work

Karen Bias has been an Edoc transcriptionist for 8 years—and she’s been a medical transcriptionist for 28 years.

“I changed careers in my thirties from a financial management position with a large cooperation to becoming a medical transcriptionist,” says Karen. When making the transition, she quickly realized the benefits of working remotely: “Working remotely has allowed a more flexible schedule, enabling me to be more involved with my son and daughter as they were growing up and, over the past several years, I have been able to be involved in the care of aging parents.”

Karen says one thing she’s learned over the years is just how much commitment to the job means when you work remotely. “I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Edoc family whose management team makes great effort to show interest and give support to remote workers. I can’t imagine ever doing anything else,” she says.

As an invaluable part of the Edoc transcriptionist team, we wanted to highlight Karen and share more about her approach to remote work. Keep reading to learn Karen’s tips for anyone who is new to remote work, and what she says she’s enjoying most about her work right now.

Q: Do you have a morning routine?

I do have a set morning routine before logging on to work at 10 a.m. I am usually awakened by my three chihuahuas and mixed bull mastiff/coon dog letting me know they want breakfast. After feeding them, I try to get a mile walk in (not so much lately as we have had a ton of rain in Georgia). I will do a few things around the house before showering and getting ready for the day.

Even though I am working remotely I like to get ready for the day as if I am going out. You never know what the day has in store for you!

Q: Do you have any tips or advice for people who are just starting remote work?

Commitment and communication! Take pride in your work and strive to produce only the best for your company.

Communication is very important in a virtual office environment. Establish a good relationship with other remote workers and your management team through Skype, email, or phone contact by getting to know a little bit about each other.

Stay in touch with your management team and keep them informed of any changes that may need to be made to your work schedule. It is nice to feel a part of the “team” and have their support as well as giving your support to them.

Q: What do you enjoy about your job right now?

I love my job! I like being stimulated each day with new information. Great brain exercise! 

Also, there are times when issues come up which conflict with your work schedule. Edoc has allowed me to take care of such issues and the ability to make up that time. I also enjoy the company of my little fur babies who hang out with me in my office and keep me company all day. Don’t worry, they are all HIPAA trained and certified!

Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I have always enjoyed doing things outside. I have a vegetable garden that I look forward to planting each spring. My husband and I like to take our boat to a nearby lake in the evenings in the spring and summer. And of course, we love spending time with our 5-year-old and 7-year-old granddaughters.

Q: What’s a fun fact about you that other people may not know?

My office has sliding glass doors going out onto our patio and my desk is positioned so that I can look out while I am working. I have bird feeders, bird houses, and a bird bath that I can see from my desk. How relaxing it is to look out and watch the different species of birds and how they interact with each other! In the spring and fall, it is interesting to watch parents caring for their babies until they are old enough to fly!

Q: If you had no obligations or work tomorrow, what would you want to do with your free time?

Plant my vegetable garden!