How to Train for Medical Transcription in Pennsylvania

Medical transcriptionists transfer audio reports into paper reports.

Medical transcription is the processing of audio reports into written format. It requires very accurate listening and typing skills, as well as knowledge of medical terminology, and proper equipment. Most transcriptionists use a pedal system to stop and start the audio recording as needed while they type. There are several training programs for this avenue of study in Pennsylvania, as well as online programs for Pennsylvania residents who wish to train at home.

Things You'll Need

• Noise-canceling headset
• Foot pedal
• Medical dictionary
• Computer with speakers and/or headphone jack

Instructions

1. Choose between online training and classroom training. Many Pennsylvania community colleges offer classroom training in Medical Transcription. There are also several industry-approved and accredited online courses. Consider the cost of training, location, materials provided, and length of training. Some programs will require you to purchase you own equipment; others will provide these to you.

   Some, but not all online training programs include:

   Career Step
   http://www.careerstep.com/

   Andrews School:
   http://www.andrewsschool.com/

   Pennsylvania Community Colleges that offer Medical Transcription training:

   Bucks County Community College:
   275 Swamp Rd
   Newtown, PA 18940-4106
   m215-968-8000
   http://www.bucks.edu

   Community College Of Allegheny County
   800 Allegheny Ave
   Pittsburgh, PA 15233-1895
   412-323-2323
   http://www.ccac.edu

   Delaware County Community College
   901 S Media Line Rd
   Media, PA 19063-1094
   610-359-5000
   http://www.dccc.edu

   Douglas Education Center
   130 7th St
   Monessen, PA 15062
   724-684-3684
   http://www.douglas-school.com

   Lehigh Carbon Community College
   4525 Education Park Dr
   Schnecksville, PA 18078-2598
   610-799-2121
   http://www.lccc.edu

   Northampton County Area Community College
   3835 Green Pond Rd
   Bethlehem, PA 18020-7599
   610-861-5300
   http://www.northampton.edu

   Westmoreland County Community College
   145 Pavilion Lane
   Youngwood, PA 15697-1895
   724-925-4000
   http://wccc.edu

   Reading Area Community College
   10 S Second St
   Reading, PA 19603-1706
   610-372-4721
   http://www.racc.edu

   Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
   101 Community College Way
   Johnstown, PA 15904
   814-262-6400
   http://www.pennhighlands.edu

2. Contact the college or training program. Inquire about the entrance requirements. Many will have a typing test to test your word-per-minute ability, as well as an accuracy test. Prepare and practice for these beforehand to increase your chance of passing.

3. Find a quiet place within your home to study and work. Noise-canceling headphones will help with this, and many seasoned transcriptionists recommend them.

4. Keep backups of your work and save practice reports frequently. Losing work to an unexpected computer crash or power outage will result in having to start over entirely, and may prevent you from turning in materials on time.

5. Practice often to improve your typing speed and accuracy.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you enroll, consider visiting medical transcription online communities to get a feel if the work is right for you.

• Considering keeping a work computer that you use only for transcription.

References

• MT Daily Medical Transcription Community, FAQ:
• Career Step Online: Medical Transcription Training