Medical Dictation and Transcription
If you can type at least 60 words per minute and have good listening skills, the profession of medical transcriptionist (MT) may be right for you. These professionals type out the medical information dictated by a doctor about a patient's condition, diagnosis and treatments. Seated at your computer with earphones, listening to the dictated information, you will be typing out the material and controlling the speed of the dictation with a foot pedal.
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Compensation
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Medical transcriptionists are typically paid on a per-line basis. A successful transcriptionist benefits from fast typing skills and the ability to grasp the medical terminology and context. Employers expect at least 98 percent accuracy in the transcription. Therefore, the job requires a fine balance between speed of execution and accurate capture of the information. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median wage income of a medical transcriptionist was $15.41 per hour in 2008 with top wages above $21.81 per hour.
Training
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Employers prefer hiring transcriptionists with a two-year associate degree; sometimes they will accept a one-year certificate. Community colleges and vocational schools offer programs leading to these certificates. Some prospective medical transcriptionists turn to distant-learning programs. The Approval Committee for Certificate Programs (ACCP) has developed an accreditation program for schools providing MT training. The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) recognizes 23 accredited schools in the U.S.
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Coursework
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Coursework consists of medical terminology and its context. Students further learn about anatomy, the legal aspects of medicine and standards of the health care industry. Practical training completes the curriculum. Some programs offer guidance with grammar, punctuation and the computer skills required for the job.
Certification
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The AHDI offers an entry-level certification, the Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT). Experienced MTs can take the Certified Medical Transcriptionists (CMT) exam, another AHDI certification. A CMT certification requires at least two years' experience in the transcription of acute care patient information.
Registered Apprenticeship Program
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The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes the sponsorship of the Medical Transcription Industry Association for helping RMT professionals gain job experience. This initiative provides a structured on-the-job apprenticeship program for graduates from ACCP-accredited programs who passed the RMT exam.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit woman hands typing on laptop keyboard image by .shock from Fotolia.com
