Medical Transcription Education
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 evaluate or approve medical transcription programs?
Yes. The Education Approval Program evaluates MT training programs using rigorous guidelines
developed by educational professionals within AHDI. To see a listing of approved schools, see the
Approved Medical Transcription Education Programs page.
© 2006 AHDI www.ahdionline.org
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