Medical Transcription Requirements

Medical transcription, the process of converting audio recordings made by health care providers into text documents, plays a critical role in managing medical information. Medical transcriptionists work in hospitals, physicians' offices, clinics, laboratories, and for transcription services. Many are self-employed as independent contractors. Medical transcription is heavily grounded in information technology. For example, transcribers often telecommute, get recordings and deliver transcripts via the Internet, and use speech-to-text software to increase productivity.

Function

Medical transcriptionists use audio notes to create properly formatted written versions of a physician's notes, medication and treatment records, examination and diagnostic reports, autopsies, and progress reports. The medical transcriptionist checks for accuracy and works with health care providers to resolve questions and correct errors. The documents the medical transcriptionist produces become part of the patient's medical history.

Education

Generally, a two-year associate's degree from a community college or vocational school is required to become a medical transcriptionist. Many of these programs are available as online (distance learning) programs, but they may also include extensive on-the-job training and practice. Coursework includes medical and pharmacological terminology, legal issues, anatomy, and the use of the information technology required for medical transcription. There are one-year certification programs available that are suitable for students coming from a health care background (a medical secretary, for example).

Certification

Accreditation for medical transcription programs is voluntary, but students should be sure their course of study is certified by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) because their own certification may require it. Graduates with less than two years of experience are eligible to take the AHDI exam for certification as a Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT).

Advancement

Once a medical transcriptionist has at least two years of experience, including handling a diverse set of documents and issues, he or she is eligible to take the AHDI advanced exam for Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT). Continuing education is a must as well, since the rate of change in both the health care industry and medical science is rapid and shows every indication of remaining so. Continuing education courses are available from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and AHDI.

Benefits

The 2008/2009 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report on medical transcription forecasts average growth, but it notes as well that the increasing use of sophisticated computer technology places a premium on information technology skills. The report lists a median income of $14.40 per hour for medical transcription. Entry-level jobs in this field pay about $10 an hour. The upper 10 percent of medical transcriptionists earn more than $20.15 an hour. In addition, many of the best-paid medical transcriptionists work as independent contractors.