Medical Transcriptionist Training

Medical transcriptionists translate voice-recorded reports made by doctors, nurses and other health care professionals into written text, occasionally editing for grammar and clarity. The final reports created by medical transcriptionists are often added to a patient's permanent medical file.

Medical transcriptionists are responsible for producing medical discharge summaries, medical histories, progress notes, referral letters and other similar medical documents. They also produce medical reports, including autopsy findings, imaging studies, operation reports, treatment reports and consultation summaries.

Many medical transcriptionists work from home and only occasionally enter an office. Some work exclusively online and handle several clients who need their services. Still, others work a traditional 40-hour week in a comfortable office setting.

Medical Transcriptionist Training: Degrees and Coursework

Many employers prefer to hire some who has earned an associate's degree or earned a certificate in medical transcription through a community college, distance learning program or vocational school. A medical transcriptionist program often includes hands-on training with real transcription assignments.

Though formal accreditation is not required for medical transcription programs, many employers prefer to hire those whose degree or certificate has accreditation behind it. For those seeking certification, completion of an accredited program may be required.

As healthcare professionals move toward innovative software that makes transcribing easier and faster, learning all you can about computers and voice recognition technology can offer a boost for your career in the future. The technology also allows for easy transference of files, including those saved on personal computers or personal data assistants (PDAs).

Earning Your Medical Transcription Certification

The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) offers two designations for medical transcriptionists. Both are voluntary, but many employers prefer to hire someone who has earned a professional designation.

• RMT: Registered Medical Transcriptionist. Those who have fewer than two years of experience in acute care or who have just graduated from a medical transcriptionist program are eligible for this designation. Passing the AHDI Level 1 exam is a requirement to earn the RMT, as well as a minimum of 30 hours in continuing education credits over a span of three years. As an added perk, those who earn the RMT are eligible to join the Registered Apprenticeship Program, a service of the U.S. Department of Labor that includes on-the-job learning and technical instruction.
• CMT: Certified Medical Transcriptionist. Those who have more than two years of acute care experience with a wide variety of transcription experience are eligible for the CMT. It also requires a passing score on the certification exam, as well as an online class and other pertinent testing.

In addition to registration or certification, qualified applicants should have excellent hearing, a firm grasp of the English language, good grammar skills, knowledge of medical jargon and a working proficiency with computers and applicable software.

Medical Transcriptionist Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the 105,200 medical transcription jobs held in 2008, about 36 percent of them were in hospitals, while 23 percent worked for physicians. The rest held jobs in laboratories, support services, outpatient care centers and at offices of specialists.

Job growth for medical transcriptionists is expected to reach 11 percent between 2008 and 2018, or about as fast as average for all occupations. As the population ages and more medical care is required, medical transcription services will be in strong demand. The increasing demand for standardized records means jobs in physician offices or large medical practices should experience strong growth.

Those who are certified are expected to find better job opportunities than those who are not. In 2009, the mean yearly income for a medical transcriptionist was $33,350. Those who have more experience, certification and/or specialized skills might find the opportunity to earn even more.

Resources for Medical Transcriptionists

• Bureau of Labor Statistics - Medical Transcription
• Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity

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