A Career in Medical Transcription

Author : James Hunt

If you're looking to switch careers, you might consider becoming a medical transcriptionist. This is someone who interprets and transcribes dictation by healthcare professionals. There are many benefits to a career in this field. For instance, you can, in many cases, work out of your own home at your own pace. Also, the demand for jobs is pretty high right now, provided you know what you're doing.

Most professionals seeking out a transcription service prefer someone who has been through training at a community college or trade school and has some work experience. Besides the proper training, you'll need the proper equipment.

Since a medical transcriptionist listens to dictated information using a recording device and headset, you'll need to purchase these items. A foot peddle is also necessary to start and stop the recording device and the information you gather will have to be entered onto a computer or word processor.

You will also need medical and pharmaceutical directories since you'll be expected to know the proper terminology. If any words or phrases are unfamiliar to you, it will be your responsibility to look them up in one of the aforementioned reference books.

You should know the principles of basic grammar and be able to spell check and proof read your own work. Since you'll be ranscribing dictated information, you'll also need to be a good listener.

Whether you're working through a medical transcription service or on your own as an independent contractor, the type of clients you have will probably include doctor's offices, hospitals, free clinics and rehab centers. You'll be transcribing any number of documents including patient histories, autopsy reports, referral letters, consultation reports and other medical records.

If you're interested in becoming a medical transcriptionist, you must first get the proper education. Courses in this field are available at colleges, trade schools and even online. Most programs take about two years and some require you to work an internship at a medical facility. Further information regarding a career in this rewarding field can be gathered at the library or on the Internet. Good luck!

About the author:

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest.

Medical Transcription Training by Stephanie Foster

Employers will almost exclusively hire transcriptionists who have completed some kind of formal training in the area or who have experience. There are many ways to obtain such training, but for most a community college or vocational school will be the best option, especially if the training includes on-the-job experience.

Do not worry about whether or not they offer the opportunity to earn the Certified Medical Transcriptionist designation. This is not a required certification in general, and in fact, most transcriptionists need a couple of years' experience before they can pass the test to gain this designation. I am not a CMT, but I was able to find a job.


Courses typically take several months to two years to complete, depending on the school chosen. Many vocational schools include the cost of books and course materials in their tuition, which may be helpful after you have landed a job. If you already work in a medical field, and simply want to switch to working from home, you may only need to learn transcription, as you may already have the vocabulary you need, but think carefully, as a refresher course may not be an entirely bad thing either.

It is also possible to take transcription courses at home. This option is more flexible but may be more challenging in other ways. Your selection of a course of study should depend on how you will best learn what you need to know.

You will need an assortment of reference books. Some you may recieve with your training, but you may find you need others. See the equipment page for suggestions.

College Courses

College courses are best for most people. Having an instructor to help you through the difficult parts and to keep you working on a schedule can be a great benefit. Many schools also offer job placement assistance, which may not be available through home study courses.

Community Colleges

Perhaps the cheapest method of instructor-led training you can get, but it may not be quick. A quick look at a local community shows a 22-25 unit requirement for certification in Medical Transcription. This would require a minimum of two semesters' work or more, depending on prerequisites and whether you attend part- or full-time.

Costs vary by what state you live in. Check with your local school.
Vocational Schools

Vocational schools cost more than community colleges, typically into the thousands, but may offer more flexiblity when it comes to the timing of your class. This may not be a quick solution either. With a quick look at a local vocational school's webpage, I found that its Medical Transcription training program takes about 28 weeks of classroom time and four weeks of an externship. Check to see if textbooks and other supplies are included in the cost.

Home Study

Home study courses offer the most flexiblity in many ways, but they offer challenges as well. You must be capable of working on your own. On the other hand, if you want to work at home, that's a skill you need. You'll need special equipment for this option in many cases, such as a foot pedal.

In the time I've spent researching medical transcription schools, three names keep coming up as the ones that employers actually hire from regularly: Career Step, M-Tec, and Andrews School of Medical Transcription. Of them, CareerStep is the most affordable. The others have a still better repuation with employers, but CareerStep graduates are plenty well enough trained to find employment.

My former employer, Medquist, requires that you take the Gold level or above from CareerStep (last I heard, anyhow), which is my recommendation as well. Expect to take a minimum of 6 months, often 9 months or more, to complete a course.

Which option is best? That depends in large part on how you best learn and what is available in your area. There's no one definite right answer that will meet everyone's needs.

About the Author :

Stephanie Foster is a former medical transcriptionist and now runs http://www.homewiththekids.com/. You can learn about medical transcription training options at her site.