Medical Transcription (B525)
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At a Glance
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This applied technology diploma program prepares the student for employment as a medical transcriptionist (MT). MT's are specialists in medical language and healthcare documentation. They interpret and transcribe dictation by physicians and other healthcare professionals regarding patient assessment, workup, therapeutic procedures, clinical course, diagnosis, prognosis, etc., editing dictated material for grammar and clarity as necessary and appropriate.
PORTABLE HEALTH CARE OCCUPATION AVAILABLE TODAY! |
Employment Opportunities |
MT's work in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, transcription services, insurance companies, home healthcare agencies and other locations where dictation for the purpose of healthcare documentation requires transcription. Many MTs work from their homes as independent contractors, subcontractors, or home-based employees. Not all students completing the program will be employable.
Florida Health Careers
Occupational Outlook Handbook
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Job Outlook |
The United States Department of Labor Occupation Outlook states that employment opportunities for medical transcriptionists are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010. Medical advances have dramatically increased the average life expectancy, and the healthcare service industry is expanding due to our elderly population requiring new medical tests, treatments and procedures. The demand for qualified MTs must proportionately grow to meet these needs. There is currently a critical shortage of qualified and experienced MTs in the United States.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
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Salary Information |
Compensation methods for medical transcriptionists vary. Some are paid based on the number of hours they work or on the number of lines they transcribe. Others receive a base pay per hour with incentives for extra production. Employees of transcription services and independent contractors almost always receive production-based pay. Independent contractors earn more than do transcriptionists who work for others, but independent contractors have higher expenses than their corporate counterparts, receive no benefits, and may face higher risk of termination than do wage-and-salary transcriptionists.
Earnings vary based on experience, skills, facility, location, and specialty.
Florida Earnings:
Average Annual Wage: $37,752
Average Entry Annual Wage: $30,368
Average Experienced Annual Wage: $41,433
Average Entry Hourly Wage: $14.60
Average Experienced Hourly Wage: $19.92
Average CMT Hourly Wage: $25.00 - $35.00
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| Special Skills or Qualifications Needed |
You must have above average knowledge of English, punctuation, grammar and spelling; advanced proofreading and editing skills; versatility and use of transcription equipment and computers. You should be interested in medicine and must be able to concentrate for long periods, work efficiently under pressure and with minimal supervision.
Medical transcriptionists must be organized, pay attention to details, hear well, be proficient in computer operations and troubleshooting,be able to type quickly and accurately, have critical thinking skills and a strong foundation in medical terminology and body structure and fuction.
Externs must meet a minimum exit level of typing speed of 60 words per minute (wpm) to maintain a full-time position where there are minimum production requirements.
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| Career Path Notes |
Students who complete this program are eligible to sit for the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) certification examination. |
Career Planning Suggestions for Success |
Thoroughly research the occupation and talk with Medical Transcriptionist in the field. The PBCC Career Consultants Network may have the name of a person you can contact. Refer to the Career Center information listed below.
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| Sources of Additional Information |
Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (formerly AAMT)
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