Medical Transcription: Online Schools and Training Programs
Medical Transcription is the practice of transcribing the recorded procedure notes of doctors and other medical professionals for official inclusion in patient medical records and hospital files. Because doctors usually don’t have the time to write reports or create summaries of treatments and other patient procedures, they often use audio tape recorders to record their summary, either as they work or directly after the procedure. These recordings are then transcribed into written documents by a medical transcriptionist, after which they are considered official medical documents.
These documents can include:
- Treatment Notes
- Autopsy Reports
- Procedure Summaries
- Patient Advice
- Referral Letters
- Insurance Communications
After transcribing, the documents are returned to the doctor for a final check before being included in hospital records.
Many medical transcriptionists work from home, either part-time or full-time, using email or a special Web interface to send and receive communications. Some work from an office in the hospital itself.
Medical Transcription Degrees
Many schools and career colleges offer occupational degrees in medical transcription. These programs cover skills such as typography, communications and medical terminology, as well as the basic health care subjects doctors and other medical personnel are familiar with, to give the transcriptionist a better understanding of the procedures and treatments they are writing about. This also gives them greater ability to recognize medical words that were mispronounced or spoken in a heavy accent.
Certificate in Medical Transcription
These programs are meant for students who already have a degree in a related field. They generally last around a few months to a year, and cover topics such as:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Keyboarding
Associate’s Degree in Medical Transcription
Associate’s degrees in medical transcription provide a slightly broader education in the field, for students who don’t have a related background or who are looking for longer-term employment. These programs include the same subjects as certificate courses, plus broader career skills like:
- Pathology
- Success Strategies
- Career Development
- Business English
Featured Schools:
Allied Schools – This system of career training schools offers an online course in medical transcription, where students learn the career skills necessary to transcribe medical records, doctor’s notes and other health care documents. Allied Schools also provides students with a laptop, plus all the necessary equipment for learning the career.
US Career Institute – This correspondence school provides at-home instruction through a combination of mailed information packets, textbooks and online resources. The four-month program covers medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, preparing students for at-home or office-based work as a medical transcriptionist.
