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A medical transcriptionists (MT) is a medical
language specialist who transcribes and edits dictation from physicians
and other health care practitioners into records that document patients’
care.
Physicians rely on skilled medical transcriptionists
to accurately transcribe comprehensive patient medical histories,
diagnoses, and treatments. Medical transcriptionists must be organized,
pay attention to details, hear well, have accurate secretarial skills,
a strong foundation in medical terminology, and not be easily distracted.
Medical
Transcriptionist
Areas of Specialization
Level-1 MTs may specialize in one particular area of medicine such
as radiology, pathology, or emergency room medicine. Higher-skilled
level-2 MTs are expert in a variety of acute-care dictation in all
specialties.
Work Environment
Medical transcriptionists often work independently in doctors' offices;
many own their own businesses. In large facilities, such as hospitals
and medical transcription services, they may work under the supervision
of a certified medical transcriptionist (CMT) or health information
administrator. Some are full-time employees, while others are independent
contractors. Many medical transcriptionists work from home, downloading
dictation in encrypted ".wav" files and transmitting it
back via the Internet in transcribed form.
Job Outlook
The number of Medical Transcriptionists employed in Florida in 2006
was 4,939. It is projected that in 2014 there will be 6,210, an
annual average growth rate of 3.2 percent.
Length of Training/Requirements
Training programs are offered through community colleges and vocational
technical institutions. Programs vary from six months to two years
and offer a certificate or an associate degree. The curriculum generally
includes medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, disease processes,
keyboarding/typing, word processing skills, medical/legal concepts,
and proofreading/editing. An internship experience should be an
essential part of the program.
Licensure/Certification
Recent graduates and others with fewer than two years of acute-care
experience are eligible to take the Registered Medical Transcriptionist
(RMT) exam, which is for level-1 MTs. With two or more years of
acute-care experience, level-2 MTs may qualify to take the Certified
Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) exam. Both certification exams are
sponsored by AAMT.
Salary
The average hourly wage for Medical Transcriptionists in Florida
in 2006 was $13.89. Most transcriptionists are paid by the line,
so pay varies by production ability. Per-line rates vary according
to the situation, i.e. service, hospital, physician office, and
difficulty of dictation and specialty.
Updated: 2007 |
