MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST


Medical transcriptionists listen to recordings by physicians and other healthcare professionals dictating a variety of medical reports such as emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging studies, operations, chart reviews and final summaries. They must understand the language of medicine, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures and treatment. A medical transcriptionist transcribes the dictated reports and returns them in either printed or electronic form to the dictator for review and signature or correction. These reports eventually become a part of the patient's permanent file.

Education

Completion of a two-year associates degree program, including course work in anatomy, medical terminology, medico-legal issues and English grammar and punctuation, is highly recommended. Many programs include supervised on-the-job training.

Registration/Certification/Licensure

The American Association for Medical Transcription awards a voluntary designation of Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) to those who earn passing scores on written and practical examinations.

Salary

$14,000-34,000

Employment Opportunities

Medical transcriptionists may be employed in hospitals, clinics, health departments, group medical practices or medical research departments. Some transcriptionists work from their homes.

Programs

Bowling Green Technical College (270) 746-7461
Central Kentucky Technical College (859) 246-2400
Jefferson Technical College (502) 595-4275
Laurel Technical College (606) 864-7311
Mayo Technical College (606) 789-5321
National Business College, Danville Campus (859) 236-6991
National Business College, Florence Campus (859) 525-6510
National Business College, Lexington Campus (859) 253-0621
National Business College, Louisville Campus (502) 447-7634
National Business College, Pikeville Campus (606) 432-5477
National Business College, Richmond Campus (859) 623-8956
Northern Kentucky Technical College (859) 341-5200
Owensboro Technical College (270) 687-7255
Somerset Technical College (606) 677-4049
West Kentucky Technical College (270) 554-4991

Professional Association

American Association for Medical Transcription
3460 Oakdale Road, Suite M
Modesto, CA 95355-9690
(209) 551-0883
 

Last updated:  June 21, 2001