Medical Transcription Training

Medical Transcription Training: This site provides information on pursuing a career as a medical transcriptionist. Information provided includes a directory of schools that offer medical transcription training, along with forms to request additional information. Please see our list of schools offering medical transcription training below.

Medical Transcription Work: Medical transcriptionists are responsible for listening to recordings from medical personnel, such as doctors, physician's aides, and others, and accurately converting them into written records. These records are stored with patients' medical histories, put into reports, sent out in letters, or used in other forms of record keeping. Special equipment is used to allow the transcriptionist to have both hands free to type while listening, including a headset to listen to the recording and a foot pedal to enable pausing of the playback. Medical transcriptions can work on many types of documents, including autopsy reports, discharge summaries, medical consultation reports, diagnostic imaging studies, referral letters, and more. After completing the transcription, the resulting document is sent to the person who made the recording, for correction or signature.

Medical Transcription Skills: Medical transcriptionists must be able to listen to recordings and accurately record the information using word processing software and personal computers. A strong understanding of medical terminology, the English language, grammar, and punctuation are also required. Medical transcription work also requires people that can recognize possible errors and conflicts and interact with the person who recorded the message to resolve those conflicts.

Medical Transcription Training Courses: Medical transcription schools offer courses that include anatomy, medical terminology, medicolegal issues, English grammar and punctuation. Courses also include training in medical ethics, legal requirements, and patient confidentiality. Programs come in the form of a one year certificate or a two year associate's degree. While formal training in medical transcription schools is not always required, it is recommended.

Medical Transcription Employment: The job market for medical transcriptionist is growing much faster than average. The growth of the healthcare systems is driving a growth in medical records, and an increasing need for skilled personnel to insure that those records are accurate. Forty percent of medical transcriptionists work in hospitals, and another 40% work in clinics. The remaining medical transcription professionals work in medical labs, colleges and universities, transcription services, and temporary job placement services.