Medical Transcription: Profession Information

When choosing to practice in the field of Medical Transcription (MT) it is highly recommended, though not a requirement (state or otherwise), that you complete postsecondary training. Obtaining a 1-year certificate is an option, but a 2-year Associates degree that encompasses work in anatomy, medical terminology, legality in healthcare documentation, and grammar and punctuation in English is probably the better choice. Once your degree or certificate has been earned, you are eligible (with a passing score on examination) for the voluntary designation of Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) awarded by The American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT). A certification is recognized as a sign of competence. Because medicine is always changing, MTs are encouraged to update their skills regularly. If certified, CMTs must earn continuing education credits every 3 years to be recertified.

In order to meet requirements for obtaining the designation of CMT, you must have two years of transcription experience in the acute care, or equivalent, setting. You must also apply for and pass the certification examination. Experience in acute care is defined as: "incorporating medical center dictation to include many dictators including multiple ESL dictators, many formats and report types, and all major specialties, including and especially surgery dictation of all types, and some minor specialties" (http://www.ahdionline.org/scriptcontent/chub.cfm).

There are two other credentials or designations that can be rewarded to the Medical Transcriptionist. The first is RMT or Registered Medical Transcriptionist. To meet the requirements of this credential, you must be either a recent graduate of a medical transcription program, an MT with fewer than two years' experience in acute care, or an MT practicing in single-specialty, clinic, radiology, and pathology areas. This, too, requires application for and passing of an examination. The other available designation is the AHDI Fellow Designation. This designation signifies that you have achieved a balance of successful activities in your profession that goes beyond the regular practice of transcription, and is considered a great honor to have. In order to receive this distinction, you must meet a set of criteria that the AHDI Board of Directors has adopted.

The association that awards designations such as the CMT is known as The American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT) or The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI). This is the world's largest organization in the field of medical transcription/editing. There are many component associations of the AAMT. In Michigan (the state that I reside), our association is the Michigan Association for Medical Transcriptionists. There are also other associations for MTs not related directly to the AAMT, one of which is called the Medical Transcription Industry Association (MTIA).

While researching the different internet sites related to the MT profession, I found that nearly all have links that take you to job openings for MTs. Out of curiosity I searched some of these for requirements if working in a "virtual" position, which really just means that you work from home but rather than being independent, you have an employer. Of the three I found, the requirements ranged from at least 2+ years with acute-care experience; knowledge of AAMT Book of Style; 98% QA; and experience with Dictaphone EXText. I also did a search for local positions and their requirements. What I found in this search included requirements ranging from 6+ months to 3+ years acute-care experience; 98% QA; and CMT from AAMT. All positions required computer knowledge; quick typing skills; knowledge of medical terminology; and a good grasp of the English language and grammar, and most potential employers require a pre-employment test. The only posted company that I could find that would hire for the position of an MT with no experience was with MTRecruiters. To be considered for an entry level or intern position within this company, no experience is required beyond the basics of computer literacy, integrity and an understanding of grammar and punctuation. For consideration for an experienced MT position with MTRecruiters, you must be a graduate of a recognized medical transcription school or have medical transcription experience.

References

AHDI, About AHDI. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from http://www.ahdionline.org/scriptcontent/about.cfm

AHDI, AHDI Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) Exam. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from http://www.ahdionline.org/scriptcontent/chub.cfm

AHDI, AHDI Fellow Designation: FAAMT. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from http://www.ahdionline.org/scriptcontent/faamt.cfm

AHDI, AHDI Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) Exam. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from http://www.ahdionline.org/scriptcontent/rhub.cfm

AHDI, MTs: Partners in Medical Communication, Understanding the Profession of Medical Transcription. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from http://www.ahdionline.org/scriptcontent/raprprtnr.cfm#top

AHDI, State/Regional Association of AHDI. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from http://www.ahdionline.org/scriptcontent/new_stateassn.cfm

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor (2006). Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Medical Transcriptionists. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos271.htm

CareerBuilder Job Search, Medical Transcriptionist. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from http://careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults

Google Search, Professional Associations for Medical Transcriptionists. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from http://www.google.com/search?q=professional+association+for+medical+transcriptionist

Michigan Association for Medical Transcription, Other Information. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from http://www.ahdionline.org/ca/mamt/mamtother.htm

Michigan.gov, Health Careers in Michigan: Educational Requirements, Appendix B: Pursuing a Health Care Career in Michigan, p. 7. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from http://members.mha.org/economicimpact/Appendix%20B.pdf

Monster Job Search, MTRecruiters. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=62221835

Monster Job Search, Medical Transcriptionist. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from http://jobsearch.monster.com/Search.aspx?q=medical%20transcriptionist&image.x=178&image.y=17&pg=1&fn=551&allowrefs=fn&re=137&sid=42

MTIA, Home Page. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from http://mtia.com/