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Medical Transcription

Salary* $29,120 - $33,144
Resource:U.S. Bureau of Labor *estimated

Career Description + Lifestyle

Medical transcriptionists listen to dictated recordings made by physicians and other health care professionals and transcribe them into medical reports, correspondence, and other administrative material. They generally listen to recordings on a headset, using a foot pedal to pause the recording when necessary, and key the text into a personal computer or word processor, editing as necessary for grammar and clarity. The documents they produce include discharge summaries, medical history and physical examination reports, operative reports, consultation reports, autopsy reports, diagnostic imaging studies, progress notes, and referral letters. Medical transcriptionists return transcribed documents to the physicians or other health care professionals who dictated them for review and signature or correction. These documents eventually become part of patients' permanent files.

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Program Description

This course will present an overview on medical transcription, its purpose, different perspectives about it, a style guide, and 12 body systems and 2 specialties with transcription exercises. Medical terminology, excellent English skills for grammar and punctuation, and proof-reading skills are required in this occupation. The students will practice actual transcription from the CD-ROM included in the textbook. Transcribed reports will be graded per the attached criterion.

Provides physical and psychosocial support to patients.
Reports changes in patient condition to RN supervisor.
Records selected patient information in medical records
Communicates effectively and cooperates with other team members to ensure continuity of care.
Responsibilities may vary slightly depending on assigned shift.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSE

The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) awards two voluntary designations, the Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) and the Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT). Medical transcriptionists who are recent graduates of medical transcription educational programs, or have fewer than 2 years experience in acute care, may become a registered RMT. The RMT credential is awarded upon successfully passing the AHDI level 1 registered medical transcription exam. The CMT designation requires at least 2 years of acute care experience working in multiple specialty surgery areas using different format, report, and dictation types. Candidates also must earn a passing score on a certification examination. Because medicine is constantly evolving, medical transcriptionists are encouraged to update their skills regularly. RMTs and CMTs must earn continuing education credits every 3 years to be recertified. As in many other fields, certification is recognized as a sign of competence.