Medical Office Personnel
Medical Transcriptionist
|
| Career data updated last on 9/30/2009 |
 |
Medical transcriptionists are responsible for transcribing medical dictation detailing a patient's health care during illness, after injury, or in a preventive care program. They listen to dictated recordings made by physicians and other healthcare professionals and transcribe them into medical reports, correspondence, and other administrative material. These reports become a permanent record of medical, scientific and legal value. Medical transcriptionists must comply with specific standards that apply to the style of medical records, in addition to the legal and ethical requirements involved with keeping patient information confidential.
|
| Salary |
$21,000-$28,000-$35,000
|
| Significant Points |
Employment of medical transcriptionists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. Demand for medical transcription services will be spurred by a growing and aging population. A high level of demand for transcription services also will be sustained by the continued need for electronic documentation that can be easily shared among providers, third-party payers, regulators, and consumers.
|
| Specializations |
|
| Work Environment |
Medical transcriptionists work in hospitals, clinics, medical research facilities, teaching centers, and private physicians offices. Others may work for business support services, offices of other health practitioners, medical and diagnostic laboratories, outpatient care centers, and home healthcare services.
Many medical transcriptionists work a standard 40-hour week. Self-employed medical transcriptionists are more likely to work irregular hours—including part time, evenings, weekends, or on-call at any time.
|
| High School Prep |
A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Courses in English, keyboarding, mathematics, biology and computer sciences are helpful.
|
| Academic Requirements |
Medical transcriptionists can complete postsecondary training in medical transcription, offered by many vocational schools, community colleges, and distance-learning programs. Completion of a 2-year associate degree or 1-year certificate program—including coursework in anatomy, medical terminology, legal issues relating to healthcare documentation, and English grammar and punctuation—is highly recommended, but not always required. Many of these programs include supervised on-the-job experience. The American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT) awards the voluntary designation, Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT), to those who earn passing scores on written and practical examinations. Many employers prefer to hire - and pay a premium for - CMTs, and many require the credential for career advancement. Because medical terminology is constantly evolving, medical transcriptionists are encouraged to regularly update their skills. Every 3 years, CMTs must earn continuing education credits to be recertified.
|
|
Colorado schools that offer degrees
and/or training
|
|
Professional associations that support this field
|
