To enter a medical transcription training program and ultimately earn a degree, you must first complete a GED or high school diploma. While not required, it may be helpful to have an interest in sciences in addition to possessing good language and listening skills.
There are many medical transcription training programs available throughout the United States. Depending on the college, you can pursue a degree that will take anywhere from six months to two years to complete. Do not attend a program unless the school is accredited and the program is certified. If you attend a six-month program, you will most likely earn just a certificate, whereas a two-year program will be affiliated with an associate degree. A program that takes more time, such as the two-year program, could better help you secure a job in a competitive job market.
You can also earn a medical transcription degree online through a distance learning program. Just like with the traditional program, make sure that the program is certified and the college is accredited. For a list of online programs, consult the list of schools provided by the All Allied Health Schools website, located in the Resource section.
While the programs vary depending on the college, you will most likely need to take courses in medical transcription skills, medical terminology, English grammar and composition and computer skills. You may also take courses in various sciences, such as physiology and anatomy.
A certification is not required for a job as a medical transcriptionist, but it will help you in the job market if you are certified. The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity offers a national exam. To maintain your certification, which is reviewed every three years, you need to earn continuing education credits at a local college, university or medical transcription program.