About Medical Transcription Training in Albany, New York, area

Medical transcriptionists sometimes work from home.

Medical transcriptionists transcribe recorded health care reports, correspondence and other documents. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that employment opportunities for such positions are good. The projected increase in demand is 11 percent from 2008 to 2018.

Schools

Hudson Valley Community College offers a health information technician certificate program and has an extension center in Albany. Ridley-Lowell Business and Technical Institute in nearby Poughkeepsie offers a medical administrative assistant program that prepares students for a variety of health care careers, including medical transcription. For people who want to train at home, Andrews and Holbrook Training Corporation offers a self-paced, interactive medical transcription course online.

Training

Programs include courses such as biology, medical terminology, medical coding, anatomy, medical office procedures, transcription, word processing, database applications and Excel. The certificate program at Hudson Valley is between 33 and 37 credit hours, which could be completed in about a year of full-time study. Students that successfully complete the program at Ridley-Lowell are eligible to take the National Healthcareer Association certification exam.

Costs

The costs for tuition and books vary among institutions. Total program costs as of 2010 were around $5,000 to $6,000. Some schools offer financial aid.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Medical Transcriptionists
• Hudson Valley Community College: Health Information Technician Certificate
• Ridley-Lowell Business and Technical Institute -- Medical Programs
• Andrews and Holbrook Training Corporation: Welcome

Resources

• U.S. College Search: Medical Transcription Colleges and Universities