Q. What does a medical transcriptionist do?

Medical transcriptionists (MTs) are specialists in medical language and healthcare documentation who interpret and transcribe dictation by physicians and other healthcare professionals regarding patient assessment, workup, therapeutic procedures, clinical course, diagnosis, prognosis, etc., editing dictated material for grammar and clarity as necessary and appropriate.

The process of medical transcription may involve editing machine-translated text. This requires listening to dictation while reading a draft created through speech recognition technology and editing the text on screen. This editing may range from minimal to extensive, depending on the capabilities of the speech recognition software and the dictating habits of the originator, and may include correction of content as well as punctuation, grammar, and style.

Q. What characteristics do I need to become a medical transcriptionist?

You need excellent English language skills as well as a strong interest in the medical language. You need good hearing acuity and listening ability. You need reasonable keyboarding skills and must be able to work for long hours, often in a high-pressure environment. A high level of concentration for extended periods of time is also important.

Q. Where do medical transcriptionists work?

Medical transcriptionists work in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, transcription services, insurance companies, home healthcare agencies, and other locations where dictation for the purpose of healthcare documentation requires transcription. Many MTs work in their homes as independent contractors, subcontractors, or home-based employees.

Q. How will speech recognition technology affect the future of medical transcription?

The amount of dictation requiring transcription continues to grow; however, the availability of qualified MTs is not growing at the same rate. Speech recognition technology is sometimes used to compensate for the shortage of MTs. However, it is impossible for this technology, with all of its limitations, to completely eliminate the need for medical transcriptionists. Even at its best, machine-translated text contains errors that need to be corrected by professionals with language skills and an understanding of the health record. MTs continue to be the best qualified to discern the nuances of human speech.

GOING TO SCHOOL

Q. How long will it take me to become a medical transcriptionist?

AHDI's Model Curriculum for Medical Transcription, used by educators in developing their courses, recommends a two-year program that includes at least 240 hours of externship in a healthcare facility. However, some schools offer shorter programs. Medical transcription is a medical language and healthcare documentation specialty, not a keyboard specialty, and intensive study is needed to acquire a high level of fluency in the medical language. Remember, you are gaining knowledge that will translate into a lifetime career!

Q. Where can I learn medical transcription?

Classes for medical transcription are found in community colleges, proprietary schools, and home-study programs (Internet-based and otherwise). AHDI does not maintain a list of MT schools at this time. We suggest you search the Internet or visit the reference desk at your local public library for this information. Look for programs that allow interaction between instructor and student and provide opportunities for networking among students. This will better prepare you for the real world of medical transcription and for getting your first job in the field. AHDI's recommendations for a medical transcription program appear on our paper, "How to Choose an MT School," which is designed to help with your evaluation of the schools you may be considering. We suggest that you carefully examine any claims or promises made to you regarding future employability and job placement assistance.

Q. Can I transfer my court reporting skills to medical transcription?

With additional education and a shift in orientation, yes. The chief difference between court reporting and medical transcription is in the editing. MTs edit when necessary and appropriate for grammar and for clarity, whereas court reporters usually record what is said verbatim. In addition, the medical terminology learned by court reporters is seldom sufficient to satisfy the profession-specific demands of medical transcription. Courses in anatomy and physiology, more advanced terminology, medical transcription, and additional English grammar and punctuation may be necessary. With this additional training, many court reporters are successful in transferring their skills to medical transcription. In fact, use of the steno machine may facilitate productivity, a significant factor in many transcription environments.

Q. I have already been trained in another medical field. Why do I need further training?

Learning how to listen with discrimination requires practice and guidance from an experienced medical transcriptionist. If you already have the requisite keyboard skills, the additional courses you need will include lots of transcribing practice. You probably have a head start, but you'll need to learn how to integrate your medical knowledge with keyboard and listening skills.

Q. Does AHDI provide a medical transcription course?

AHDI is the membership organization for the medical transcription profession. We do not administer educational programs. However, we have developed The Model Curriculum for Medical Transcription, which educators use in developing educational programs. We also offer audio tapes and CDs for use in the classroom and for independent study. In addition, The AAMT Book of Style for Medical Transcription, now in its 2nd edition, is considered the gold standard in the industry. A video based on the Book of Style is another useful educational tool.

Q. Does AHDI accredit medical transcription programs?

AHDI has partnered with the American Health Information Management Association to advance standards for MT education through its Education Program Approval. Read more about the EPA here.

CERTIFICATION

Q. Will I be a certified medical transcriptionist when I have finished school?

Completion of a medical transcription course may entitle you to a certificate of completion from the school you attend, but this is not equivalent to the designation of "Certified Medical Transcriptionist" (CMT). This status can be achieved only by passing the certification exam administered by AHDI. To retain this credential, a CMT must meet recertification requirements that include continuing education.

Q. Why should I become certified?

While you are not required to become a CMT in order to work as a medical transcriptionist, earning the credential demonstrates to employers and peers that you are a professional and committed to being the best you can be. Certification also serves the public interest by assuring that those who become certified have met accepted standards of practice. Many employers prefer to hire - and pay a premium for - CMTs, and many require the credential for career advancement.

GETTING A JOB

Q. Will it be easy for me to get a job?

Many new MTs find it difficult to get their first job, since production demands may prevent hospitals and transcription services from hiring inexperienced people. We suggest you look into your local job market BEFORE you choose the career and invest in the education. Ask for interviews with prospective employers to see what they expect of a beginning MT and how likely they are to hire a recent graduate. However, sometimes a small physician office or a small transcription service will hire a beginner. First do the research, then get a good education, and then be creative and persistent! Student membership in AHDI will help you stay informed and make connections.

Q. Can I do medical transcription at home?

More and more employers are allowing their experienced MTs to work from home. However, many will require you to work at their facility before sending you home to work on your own. The home transcriptionist needs an excellent knowledge of the medical language as well as the English language, and may have to make a substantial investment in reference materials and equipment. Those who provide the highest quality transcription are most likely to be successful.

Q. How can I become a self-employed medical transcriptionist?

The independent medical transcriptionist should have an excellent knowledge of not only the medical language and the English language, but the language of business as well. You should also be willing to make a substantial investment in medical reference materials and equipment. The successful independent MT will maintain a high level of quality. Federal regulations call for special security precautions when dealing with private patient information, which may involve some expense on your part. We also caution you that the IRS has specific regulations about home businesses and independent contractors; be sure to seek the advice of a qualified attorney and/or tax advisor.

Q. How are medical transcriptionists paid?

Medical transcriptionists may be paid in any of a variety of ways, but chiefly by the hour, by production, or by a combination of hourly pay plus incentive pay for production.

Q. How much money will I earn as a medical transcriptionist?

Earnings vary considerably. A May 2002 member survey conducted by AHDI reported an average annual salary of $31,400. Information is also available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics at the US Department of Labor at www.bls.gov. Click Wages by Area and Occupation, then For Over 700 Occupations. Choose 31-0000 Healthcare Support Occupations, then 31-9094 Medical Transcriptionists. This way you can search for MT salaries in your own state and possibly even your own city.

Another survey - less formal but more recent - conducted toward the end of 2002 by the magazine Advance for Health Information Professionals reveals that certified medical transcriptionists earned more than their non-certified counterparts. Their figure for the average MT's salary was lower than AHDI's at $29,732, but their report shows CMTs earning much more - an average of $36,225 annually.

An earlier survey, commissioned by AHDI in 1999 and done by the Hay Management Consultants, analyzed the profession and surveyed the salaries. Three distinct skill levels of medical transcriptionists were identified. Those in the second level earned $1 to $2 per hour more than beginning MTs, and those in level 3 earned yet another $1 or $2 per hour.

Suggested reading
How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist by George Morton, CMT (1998) - an overview of the profession from an insider's perspective.

Rev. 3/03