Medical transcriptionists listen to dictated patient and procedure records and enter the information into databases and documents. They create documents such as discharge summaries, medical histories, operative and exam reports, autopsy notes, consultation commentaries, diagnostic summaries and letters of referral. Medical transcriptionists must understand medical terminology, procedures, anatomy and treatments. They must also learn how to type quickly and accurately and proofread carefully to avoid mistakes.
Numerous schools offer medical transcription programs that run two to three semesters in length, meaning students take between nine months and one year to finish. This time frame assumes students work full-time toward finishing the degree. Students may take classes in a traditional campus classroom at colleges such as Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania or online through schools such as Everett Community College. Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, offers both options.
Required courses for these fast-paced medical transcription programs include medical terminology, keyboarding, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, English composition or grammar and word processing. Most programs also feature a practicum of at least three credits (45 contact hours) to provide hands-on experience for students. Some programs include more specialty courses, as well. For instance, Everett Community College includes a class that helps students prepare a resume and cover letter as well as a course about speech recognition software and its impact on medical transcription.
Programs that take less than a year to finish may often have prerequisites. Applicants for medical transcription programs typically must be eligible for college courses, meaning they hold a high school diploma or GED. Ideally, applicants should also have strong word processing experience before entering the program because the coursework in these programs builds on basic understanding and focuses on aspects particular to the medical transcriptionist. Schools may also require the ability to type at least 40 words per minute and have minimum grade requirements. Allegheny Community College, for instance, requires a grade of C or better in a biology class for entrance to the program.