Medical Transcriptionist (MT)/Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT)

Medical Transcriptionist (MT)/Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT)

Work Activities/Work Locations

Medical Transcriptions perform typing and word processing duties to record medical information from Physicians and/or other health professionals.
They convert dictations by Doctors, Nurses, Therapists, and other health care providers into documents using word processors or computers. This information is printed and added to patient files and/or forwarded to other health care professionals.
Technology-enabled documentation called Electronic Health Record (HER) will dictate exclusive computer recording.
Medical Transcriptionists work in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, Physician’s offices, health transcription services, public health agencies, home health care agencies, nursing homes, and insurance companies.
An increasing amount of transcriptionist work is being done from home-based offices as subcontractors for hospitals, law firms, and or transcription services.
They often listen to recorded data from Physicians and other medical professionals and type information into a computer. They edit information for grammar and proper medical terms used in a patient’s medical record.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Medical Transcriptionists enjoy working in the field of health care and welcome the challenge of a constantly changing and expanding medical vocabulary.
However, the work can be very stressful due to high production and efficiency.
Must possess and update a thorough knowledge of medical technology, anatomy, pathology, and pharmacology.
Good hearing, excellent keyboarding skills, strong grammar/spelling skills, and a genuine curiosity and love of words are important.

Education: 1-2 years

Patient Interaction: Low

Physical Activity: Low

Salary: $36,741

Job Growth: None

Medical Secretary

Medical Coding Specialist/Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

Health Science Librarian (HSL)

Health Unit Coordinator (HUD)

Health Information Technician/Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

Health Information Administrator/Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)

Getting Started

High School Courses

High school students should study English, typing, computer courses, Health, biology, anatomy & physiology, Medical Terminology, and technical writing.

Education and Training

Completion of a 2-year Associate Degree or 1-year Technical Diploma program is highly recommended, but not always required for employment.
NTC offers a Technical Diploma Program (28 credits) that fulltime can be completed in one-year. It includes a 72-hour internship (paid or unpaid).
Coursework includes computer applications, Medical Terminology, general anatomy & physiology, Proofreading & Editing, keyboarding, Human Diseases, pharmacology and Medical Transcription.
Upon completion of a program, individuals can earn the designation Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) or the next level Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) if they pass the written and practical examinations provided through the American Association of Medical Transcription (AHDI).
Due to changing nature of medical terminology, Medical Transcriptionists are encouraged to regularly update their skills. Every 3 years, CMTs must earn continuing education credits to be recertified.

Educational Institutions

Blackhawk Technical College
Gateway Technical College
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College
Lakeshore Technical College
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Moraine Park Technical College – Fond du Lac
Northcentral Technical College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Rasmussen College – Green Bay Campus
Rasmussen College – Wausau Campus
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Waukesha County Technical College
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College – Ashland
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College – New Richmond
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College – Rice Lake
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College – Superior

Method of Entry

Medical Transcriptionists complete a technical diploma program usually from a technical college.
Usually a prerequisite of 45 wpm keyboarding skill is required for entry into training programs.
Voluntary status of Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) can be acquired upon completion of a recognized program and passing a written exam administered by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI).
RMTs with a MINIMUM of 2 years experience in acute-care transcription or multispecialty equivalent may voluntarily take a Credential Qualifying Exam (CQE) to become a Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT).

Professional Organizations

Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity
4230 Kiernan Ave., Suite 120
Modesto, CA, 95356
800/982-2182 or 209/527-9620
www.ahdionline.org

International Association of Administrative Professionals
10502 N. Ambassador Drive, Suite 100
Kansas City, MO, 64153
816/891-6600
www.iaap-hq.org

Career Outlook

Number Employed in 2014 (Wisconsin): 2,420
Number Employed in 2014 (U.S.): 70,000
Expected Employment in 2024 (U.S.): 67,800
Percent Employment Growth (2014-2024): -3%
Expected Annual Openings: 1,460
Median Salary in 2014 (Wisconsin): $36,741

Salary information is located at Career One Stop

Wisconsin AHEC Health Careers Information Center provides the most current salary information available from CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop will have a lapse between when the information is gathered and when it is released.

Medical Transcriptionists generally work 40 hours a week.
Those who work in hospitals may work evening, weekend, and holidays.
Flexible schedules may be available to individuals employed by transcription services and those who run their own home-based businesses.

Experienced Medical Transcriptionists may advance to supervisory positions.
They may also become transcription instructors or start their own transcription service businesses.