MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION. quick start guide. Jason trusler. how to find quality schools & employment

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1 MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION quick start guide how to find quality schools & employment Jason trusler Future MT Inc. 2009

2 MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION quick start guide

3 MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION quick start guide how to find quality schools & employment Jason Trusler

4 MT Quick Start Guide: How To Find Quality Schools & Employment Jason Trusler Copyright 2012 by Future MT Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Future MT. Future MT 3208 E. Colonial Drive #252 Orlando, FL Visit Our Website at: Second Edition(V5.3): January 2012 ISBN Printed in the United States of America

5 CONTENTS Medical Transcription Overview The Medical Transcription Profession... 1 The Medical Reports...4 The Healthcare Record...5 Technology, Tools and Other Medical Transcription Equipment...6 Reference Materials...8 Work Environments and Employment Locations...10 Transcribing Medical Dictation Most Common Questions About Medical Transcription What Is a Medical Transcriptionist? How Quickly Can I Expect to Find a Medical Transcription Job?...23 How Do Transcriptionists Get Paid and How Much Do They Earn?...25 Can I Set My Own Hours Working Part Time or Full Time?...29 Why Are Medical Transcriptionists in Such High Demand?...31 How Can I Get a Job if Most MT Employers Require Two Years of Experience? i

6 What Percentage of Jobs Are Home Based? What Are the Main Differences in Medical Transcription Schools? Can I Get Financial Aid to Study Medical Transcription?...43 Can I Receive Work if I Live Outside the United States?...45 Do I Have to Go to School for Medical Transcription if I Already Have Experience as a Medical Assistant, Nurse or Doctor?...46 What is HIPAA Compliancy?...48 Will the New 2009 Stimulus Bill That Requires Medical Records to Be Electronic Replace the MT?...49 Will Voice Recognition Replace MTs?...51 Do I Need to Be a Certified Medical Transcripitionist (CMT) or a Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) to Work as an MT?...54 Will MT Courses Prepare Me for the CMT (AHDI) Exam?...56 Can I Use a Macintosh Computer in the MT Industry?...57 Questions You Should Ask Before You Start Training The #1 Question to Ask Every MT School: Do You Offer Live Mentoring from Experienced Medical Transcriptionists? What is the Expected Growth of the MT Industry?...61 ii

7 Do You Charge Extra Fees if I Don t Finish the Course on Time?...64 How Do I Discover if an MT School Is a Scam or Not Legitimate? How Many Different Medical Specialties Can an MT Learn? What Is Expected of an MT?...70 Does This Course Include Everything I Need to Start and Finish? What Extra Costs/Equipment Will I Have/Need After I Graduate and Get a Job?...73 How Much Do I Need to Spend to Receive a Quality Education and Find a Job?...76 Summary and Quick Tips How to Quickly Find a Quality Medical Transcription School...81 Quick Tips to Landing an MT Job iii

8 Medical Transcription Overview The Medical Transcription Profession Healthcare industry professionals include doctors, nurses, dieticians, technicians, therapists, and other related support staff. The medical transcriptionist (MT) is an essential member of a healthcare team even though other members of the team are more noticeable to the general public as they provide hands-on patient care. Nevertheless, medical transcriptionists work closely with the physician and office staff in providing the vital function of transcribing accurate and complete patient records that benefit both the physician and the patient. Transcribed dictations include patient history, consultations, and specific notes relative to admissions, office charts, examinations, emergency room visits, discharge summaries, laboratory tests, operative reports, and diagnostic studies as well as 1

9 MT Quick Start Guide internal or external office letters and memos. Medical transcriptionists face unique challenges every day that expose the need for them to continually expand their knowledge base through additional training in specific medical specialties that they may find themselves working in at some point. Consequently, the desire to become a knowledgeable and respected medical transcriptionist is first accomplished by comprehensive and quality MT training and enhanced specialty training. Medical transcriptionists are committed to accuracy, completeness, and excellence as their transcribed documentation is critical to patient care and the overall wellness of the patient that the physician is trying to accomplish. In order to maintain this level of excellence, a medical transcriptionist must have in-depth knowledge of anatomy, medical terminology, human diseases, pharmacology, diagnostic studies, surgical procedures and laboratory tests that are accurately reflected in a patient s permanent medical record. As a transcriptionist, you will find it essential to be well versed in the English language with respect to grammar usage, style, and spelling. Proofreading 2

10 skills and knowledge of transcription practices are also of value. These skills are necessary to satisfy the standards of excellence required by the healthcare industry. Developing accurate and comprehensive transcription skills is the cornerstone to achieve success and respect as a professional transcriptionist in a highly competitive industry. Medical transcriptionists typically find themselves working in a variety of environments; hospitals, medical clinics, pathology and radiology offices, government facilities, insurance providers, and home offices to name a few. Some may choose to utilize their acquired transcription skills to work as medical assistants, office managers, supervisors, and even college professors. Job opportunities exist in cities throughout the United States and in international locations. As a trained medical transcriptionist, you can enjoy a variety of work environments coupled with the flexibility of part-time or full-time employment. 3

11 MT Quick Start Guide The Medical Reports Transcribed medical reports are generated daily in a variety of different environments, i.e. hospitals and clinics. Transcriptionists need to familiarize themselves with the various dictation methods and procedures used in these environments. Private practice physicians often dictate initial office evaluations, chart notes, letters, physical examinations, and history. However, medical center and hospital reports are derived from a variety of different categories that usually include the basic four reports. The basic four reports are: Consultation, History / Physical Examinations, Discharge Summaries, and Operative Reports. Hospital progress notes, emergency department reports and diagnostic studies are often included in their dictations. 4

12 The Healthcare Record The chronologically documented evidence in a patient s preliminary database is called the healthcare record. The record also includes the patient s initial evaluation, needs and identified issues, intent of care, treatment, and final results. This record is often stored electronically and usually documented in paper form as well. The healthcare record belongs to the office of origination and typically requires a court order or subpoena to physically remove these documents from a premise. The record is preserved in a Health Information Department usually managed by an Accredited Record Technician (ART) or a Registered Record Administrator (RRB). 5

13 MT Quick Start Guide Technology, Tools and Other Medical Transcription Equipment One of the most overlooked assets in discussing technology and equipment used in medical transcription is our brain. Without the application of our learned intelligence, interacting with the simplest of high technology devices can render those tools fundamentally ineffective in terms of productivity. Everyday a medical transcriptionist uses these tools in the performance of their job; a computer, desktop controls (keyboard and mouse), a headset, and a foot pedal. These components are called dictation systems. Throughout history, dictation systems have been modified, upgraded, and ultimately replaced with newer technology. Examples of outdated dictation systems are phonograph records, wax 6

14 cylinders, tank systems, belts, reel-to-reel tapes, and cassette tapes, all of which had their share of benefits and shortcomings that the industry won t tolerate today. Even today, we sometimes see the use of discontinued older technology, like Mylar cassette systems, even though state-of-the-art digital systems are the norm. Digital systems function similar to compact disc technology in that digital technology virtually eliminates background noises and other distracting sounds thereby making the transcriptionist s job significantly easier to maintain the high level of accuracy and strict quality standards set forth by the healthcare industry. Computer keyboards have also seen significant technology enhancements over the years, from the earliest of manual typewriters to the most sophisticated word processors using virtual keyboard technology and speech recognition technology. No matter what technology is used in the data collection and recording process, it s ultimately the human brain working together with technology to produce a quality transcription product, and not just the technology or equipment itself. 7

15 MT Quick Start Guide Reference Materials As a successful and respected medical transcriptionist, you will be recognized by your vast vocabulary knowledge and utilization of medical references. Today, the availability of medical phrase references, medical dictionaries, medical style manuals, and medical abbreviation reference materials has enhanced the transcriptionist s knowledge and intrinsic value to employers. Different reference materials are used to fulfill specific needs as required. As an example, the medical dictionary reference includes term definitions that define differences between similar words, but doesn t contain abbreviations for specific surgical instruments or specialty words. Phrase/ word references include terminology that relates to specific medical specialties, which might be 8

16 comprised of the name of drugs, usage of slang terms, terminology for surgical instruments, abbreviations, and lab test language as it relates to that specialty. The references for medical abbreviation usually contain unusual and common abbreviations along with defined meanings. Medical style instruction manuals provide ideas on how to manage questions related to punctuation, format, spelling, and grammar in medical reports. 9

17 MT Quick Start Guide Work Environments and Employment Locations There are a variety of different places where a medical transcriptionist will work, such as hospitals, medical centers, pathology and radiology offices, insurance companies, government facilities, clinics, home offices, and other settings. Some transcriptionists may choose to seek employment as medical assistants by combining their transcription and clinical skills. Others may choose to work as office managers, supervisors, trainers, college professors, or as a freelance advisor and consultant. In the hospital environment of yesteryear, a transcriptionist may have reported directly to a medical record director or a health information manager. In today s hospital environment, the transcription staff is often centralized and 10

18 operates remotely from the hospital s health information management department. Many hospital transcription departments are managed by supervisors who are not medical transcriptionists themselves. The supervisor usually works under the health information manager or the hospital administrator. Transcriptionists who work primarily in specialty areas such as pathology or radiology may work near those departments in the hospital for continuity and efficiency. Oftentimes, physicians who are medical specialty department heads will have transcriptionists located in their offices who function as a secretary as well as a transcriptionist. Large metropolitan hospitals offer competitive wages and benefits for MTs. They typically offer performance and attendance incentives which serve to enhance the potential income and advancement opportunities of hardworking and deserving MTs. Hospital environments usually provide a wider range of dictation types that cover all medical fields as well as having state-of-the-art workplace facilities and equipment. 11

19 MT Quick Start Guide Hospital employment is known for the benefits of greater job security, steady work schedules, reimbursement for fees associated with national trade association memberships, and continuing education requirements for licensing and maintaining certification requirements. They may also include convention or trade show attendance packages. Unlike a hospital work environment, private care physician clinics and offices provide a more personal and cozier work environment that is primarily based on a family atmosphere. Physician offices may provide their employees with retirement benefits, medical benefits, and other incentives, but with managed care costs increasing and reducing profits, some offices have significantly reduced these benefits or eliminated them altogether. Another appealing benefit with working in a physician s office is that weekend work is rarely required. Additionally, MTs are afforded easier and faster access to the physician for clarification issues and can get questions answered quickly for immediate feedback. This more personal environment is less stressful and overall, can make 12

20 for a more relaxed workday experience. On the downside, professional advancement in this smaller environment might be somewhat limited. Your enhanced competency and increasing proficiency may only get you an annual performance bonus and/ or a pay increase instead of position advancement. Transcription Service Companies are yet another appealing employment option. They offer very competitive pay, benefits, and incentives. With these companies, you have the ability to be continually challenged and have the opportunity to increase your skill sets as they contract transcription services for a variety of standard and specialty healthcare clients. Employment in this environment offers a comfortable workplace coupled with a flexible work schedule. Work from home transcriptionists are typically exclusive employees of transcription service companies and hospitals. They commonly use the company s equipment and take instruction and direction directly from a company manager or supervisor. Working from home usually offers a relaxed atmosphere, predictable income, and perhaps retirement and medical benefits. 13

21 MT Quick Start Guide Freelance MTs act as independent contractors and most often operate out of a home-based office. On the other hand, some freelance MTs prefer to have offices outside of their home for a less disturbing and distracting environment. Considering freelance MTs operate as individuals, or one-person businesses, they can t handle a large volume of transcription work from multiple hospital accounts. As an overflow strategy, they might exercise the option to contract the excess work out to other freelance MTs and make a nominal profit by doing so. Other advantages of a freelance MT include flexible hours, working at your own pace, being your own boss, and the satisfaction that comes from that feeling of independence and personal accomplishment. You can also save money on daily transportation expenses, not having to purchase an office wardrobe, or incurring child care costs if you have small children. MTs who work from home need to have a high level of self-discipline to manage distractions around them. Some home-based MTs complain that at times they can t seem to escape their household chores and attending to family issues that may 14

22 disrupt their assigned workflow. These objections are manageable if you re willing to put a concerted effort into scheduling productive work segments throughout the day rather than trying to force work output during times you know will be difficult, i.e. getting children off to school in the morning and when they get home after school. Balancing work with family life is never easy, but with planning, discipline, and diligence it can be easier than you think. In addition to the previously mentioned transcription environments, MTs can find rewarding employment with government agencies and insurance companies. Consider other employment opportunities in tumor registries, medical research facilities, and in law offices that focus on medical malpractice and personal injury cases. In these cases, transcriptionists can assist with analyzing health record discrepancies and translate medical language, making it more easily understood for attorneys. In all of these environments, MTs may transcribe dictation, act as a supervisor or manager, or perform quality assurance checks. They may also be asked to teach medical transcription in vocational schools, 15

23 MT Quick Start Guide community colleges, court-reporting schools and hospitals. Occasionally, MTs can find work as consultants, researchers, editors, or authors in the medical transcription field. As you ve read, there are several options and directions from which to consider. 16

24 Transcribing Medical Dictation Transcribing is a skill that requires a level of coordination with the feet, fingers, eyes, and ears. If you possess above average typing skills, that alone will definitely be a benefit for you. It is recommended to have a typing speed of at least 45 words per minute before attempting to become a medical transcriptionist; however, when you are first learning, it is expected that your transcription from copy to typing will be slower, rougher, and not as accurate. But be patient, as time and experience will self correct these deficiencies and ultimately increase your confidence and ability to perform at the industry standard. There are many things that humans do habitually like the way we cross our arms or legs. If we try to cross our arms or legs in the opposite direction, it can be 17

25 MT Quick Start Guide quite awkward at first. Similarly, as transcriptionists learn to type from voice dictation rather than paper copy, it may be difficult to master at first, but over time it becomes easier. Another example is the computer keyboard. Although the keyboard is the same, you will be interacting with it in a different way and it will require more coordination between the ears, eyes, fingers and feet, especially when a foot pedal is being used. When first beginning to transcribe, it s important to remember not to rush. It s more important to strive for grammar, punctuation, medical terminology, and format accuracy. As you learn and transcribe more, you will be striving to become more efficient and proficient in each of these skills. Your persistence will play a large role in becoming the accurate and proficient medical transcriptionist that employers need. When you re transcribing dictation, you need to do it carefully and stop as often as necessary to look up the definition and meaning of words that are unfamiliar. The time you spend doing this will greatly enhance your transcription skills and improve your chances for employment. 18

26 A Word to the Reader: It s important to transcribe slowly and thoroughly in the beginning. Doing so will enable you to memorize and learn new medical terminology much easier. The most important thing to remember is not to get discouraged if you start at a slower pace. As you gain more experience and knowledge, your speed and accuracy will follow. You will soon realize the fruits of your patience as you begin to transcribe with more confidence and greater accuracy. 19

27 Most Common Questions About Medical Transcription What Is a Medical Transcriptionist? The definition of a medical transcriptionist, as defined in the 2008 Occupational Outlook Handbook, is: Medical transcriptionists use headsets and transcribing machines to listen to recordings by physicians and other healthcare professionals. A transcriptionist transcribes a variety of medical reports about emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging studies, operations, chat reviews, and final summaries. To understand and accurately transcribe dictated reports into a format that is clear and comprehensible for the reader, the medical transcriptionist must understand the language of medicine, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures, and treatment. They also must be able to translate medical jargon and abbreviations into their expanded forms. After reviewing and editing 20

28 MT Quick Start Guide for grammar and clarity, the medical transcriptionist transcribes the dictated reports and returns them in either printed or electronic form to the dictator for review, correction, and approval signature. These reports eventually become a part of the patient s permanent file. 21

29 How Quickly Can I Expect to Find a Medical Transcription Job? The most determining factor in how quickly you will find a job is how well you ve applied good study habits throughout the training course material. Students who are not serious and less conscientious will find their job search more difficult than someone who applied sound study and learning principles in becoming a successful transcriptionist. The reason this is fundamentally true is that employers usually test potential employees before they hire them, and those tests are designed to identify the most skillful and knowledgeable candidates. Obviously, how well you ve applied yourself during your training will be reflected in your test score. And, as usual, the one with the highest score is favored in 22

30 MT Quick Start Guide being offered the job. Bottom line, study hard and become as proficient as possible and you will succeed over others who don t. 23

31 How Do Transcriptionists Get Paid and How Much Do They Earn? According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the pay scale for a medical transcriptionist usually varies per geographic area, location of employment, level of skill and compensation method. Transcriptionists who work in larger cities usually make a higher income than transcriptionists working in smaller towns. MTs that are paid per dictation or project are usually paid at a higher rate than those who are paid hourly. At some facilities, MTs can receive bonuses or other performance based incentives, but in general, entry-level transcriptionists typically earn twice the minimum hourly wage in larger cities compared to smaller cities. Transcriptionists with experience usually earn a significantly greater amount of money. 24

32 MT Quick Start Guide Hospitals, doctors clinics, and transcription companies calculate a medical transcriptionist s salary in a variety of ways. A typical transcription job is 1-2 pages in length. Some companies pay by completed document or by the hour, but hourly jobs are typically in-office jobs where MTs are overseen by an office manager or transcription supervisor. Independent contractors earn more than transcriptionists who work for others, but independent contractors have higher expenses than MTs who work in office environments, do not receive healthcare or other benefits, and face a higher risk of losing their contract job status than transcriptionists who work in an office. The most common salary, or compensation plan, is to be paid per line of transcription. The average pay can range from 6 to 12 cents per line, which is based primarily on the experience level of the MT, the type of job, and the turn-around time required by the physician. For example, radiology jobs typically have a 4 hour turn-around requirement, but average turn-around requirements are usually in the 24 to 48 hour range. 25

33 In May of 2006, a medical transcriptionist had a median earning potential of $ The middle 50% made between $12.17 and $ The lowest 10% made less than $10.22 and the highest 10% made more than $ Entry-level MTs can make anywhere from $12,252 to $14,976 on a part-time basis and up to $20,440 to $40,300 on a full-time basis. Experienced MT s can earn between $60,000 - $80,000 a year by securing several accounts and having other MTs reporting directly to them. This is above the statistical average for home-based businesses, and MTs can realize this level of earnings potential from the comfort of their own home. MT employment opportunities are predicted to grow 14% from 2006 to This growth rate is higher than other comparable occupations. An ever-aging population will increase the demand for transcription related services and thus more MT job opportunities will be available. Higher age groups historically need and receive a proportionately higher number of treatments, medical tests, and procedures requiring accurate and precise treatment documentation. The continuous requirement for electronic documents 26

34 MT Quick Start Guide that are shared among healthcare providers, regulators, third party payers, consumers, and medical information systems, will contribute to an increase in the demand for transcription services. As a result, a medical transcriptionist s salary and job opportunities will also increase which, in turn will draw more workers into the transcription industry. An increasing number of medical transcriptionists will be required to revise patients records, update documents from speech recognition technologies, and to recognize differences in medical transcription reports. A transcriptionist s income is often supplemented by thousands of dollars worth of employer provided benefits like paid vacations, medical/dental insurance, 401K retirement plans, and, in some cases, the annual distribution of a company s earnings dividends the medical transcriptionist s salary and earning potential has always been and will continue to be above the national average. 27

35 Can I Set My Own Hours Working Part Time or Full Time? There are a number of employment options that may fit your personal need, i.e. part time, full time, or on an as needed basis. Each employer has their own variation of these options. Some employers allow you to set your own hours while others do not. Some employers require that you pick a shift to work, which will be more regimented for you, but nonetheless one of your choosing. Others might require that you complete your assigned work anytime within a 24- hour time period. For example, if you re transcribing for a radiology department, their requirements may dictate that your work be completed within a 4 hour turn-around-time. These shortened turn-aroundtimes are usually paid at a higher rate and may be worth your concentrated effort. 28

36 MT Quick Start Guide There is no set standard when it comes to work hours because of the diverse nature of the medical transcription industry. There are various sizes of doctors offices, hospitals, specialized clients, and transcription companies that must adhere to the turn-around requirement dictated by their individual needs. Those requirements can then be broken down even further to satisfy differences between specialties within these medical practices. New technology has virtually eliminated geographic restrictions and has given many MT employers additional flexibility that they can offer to their employees. This is but one reason why medical transcription is rapidly becoming one of the most popular work-from-home professions. It s in the interest of MT employers to work with their employees in finding the right work schedule as that usually translates into timely and accurate transcription turn-around-times for their clients. So, find the right employer who can work with you and your relationship with your employer will be win-win. 29

37 Why Are Medical Transcriptionists in Such High Demand? Insurance companies will not pay hospital or physician invoices until a medical transcription report is completed and submitted. Therefore, any transcription work backlog translates into a delay in collecting account receivables and negatively affects the office s ability to make payroll and pay expenses. Also, a medical facility can actually lose its accreditation if their medical documents do not meet industry specifications. In other words, a medical facility will not get paid, and may even be shut down without the timeliness, accuracy, and completion of transcribed documents. One concern spreading throughout the health care industry involves the paper-based record. Paperbased records are fast becoming inefficient and 30

38 MT Quick Start Guide burdensome in the increasingly cost-conscious healthcare marketplace. A wide variety of hospitals, outpatient treatment centers, physicians offices and outside laboratories are generating patient care information that must be complete, timely, and accurate. Furthermore, this information is being used not only by medical professionals, but also by administrators and data managers responsible for reimbursement, performance measurements, and other provider knowledge information. The healthcare industry can t continue to rely on paper documents to record patient care data and still expect to efficiently manage costs related to the secure storage and transmission of that data. The electronic capture from medical transcribers and delivery of free-form dictation are key components in the increasing implementation by health care providers of electronic medical record systems. 31

39 How Can I Get a Job if Most MT Employers Require Two Years of Experience? This is the million dollar question within the medical transcription industry. It s possible to find employment without previous experience or formal transcription training. But, this usually only happens with those doctors who hire family, friends, or use existing staff to help out with a few transcription documents. Yes, this supports the old adage; it s not what you know but who you know, but this scenario is very rare because of the legal ramifications of transcribing inaccurate patient records. Most often when you read or hear about a new MT having difficulty getting a job, it s usually one of 32

40 MT Quick Start Guide two reasons; 1.) They did not put enough effort in studying and mastering their training course materials and as a consequence are not fully prepared to test with employers, or 2.) They did not take the time to do the due diligence necessary to find employers who are hiring interns or entry-level MTs. Taking your education and career aspirations seriously will put you at the forefront of your competition for available positions. If you don t, you most likely will not be successful in your attempt to find employment. Your training completion certificate is important, but it is not a free ticket to finding a job. We stress the importance of this because most, if not all, MT employers will test your knowledge, capability, and aptitude before seriously considering your resume. If you fail the initial test because of a lack of typing speed, accuracy or knowledge of medical terms and phrases, the employer will simply pass you over for another with more acceptable test results. So, the bottom line is; study your training materials diligently and hone your skills to the point that any test of your aptitude will prove better than your competitors for the position you re seeking. If you do this, you will have a better chance for quick employment after graduating from your training program. 33

41 As in any industry, applying self determination principles during your training will favorably position you for faster entry and an accelerated career. A student graduating from college soon discovers that it s a full-time job looking for a job, and it s no different within the medical transcription industry. Once you graduate from a medical transcription training course, you must be persistent and determined to find employment because you simply can t rely on the MT school to adequately search or locate a job for you. Your own diligence and determination in taking personal responsibility for your own search will be the one effort that greatly reduces your search time and increases your opportunities. Ultimately, you are the only one that can take charge of your destiny and career to become a successful medical transcriptionist in the shortest time possible. Do these things and you will be successful. Don t and you will find it frustrating and discouraging when many months pass without securing a job. It would be great if you could just walk into a job after completing your training, but realistically this is simply not the norm. What you put into your job search proportionally dictates what you will get from 34

42 MT Quick Start Guide your efforts. For example, if you only submit your resume to 5 to 10 local area MT employers, you will most likely become discouraged. This level of effort is minimal at best and it only delays your entry into the industry. Think of it this way; you ve just spent a considerable amount of time and money to become a trained transcriptionist, so doesn t it make sense to give it all you ve got to get a job as soon as possible? It will be worth the quality time you spend and you will be rewarded in the end. Finding a job is not easy, but it s really not all that difficult either. After all, it s your career and the medical transcription industry is waiting for you. Have a great positive attitude, an exemplary work ethic, and you will be successful. With respect to MT training, look for schools that offer resume writing and critiques and that offer job search techniques to assist you after graduation. Consider schools that offer resource links, external resource information, employment tips, chat boards, and other valuable tools to help you make intelligent decisions that will help you become employed as quickly as possible. Additionally, look for schools that have good relationships with employers, so they can help get your resume in front of hiring employers as quickly as possible. 35

43 Lastly, it is very important to find a quality school that will provide you with a list of medical transcription employers so that you can start sending your resume to or applying directly on-line with these companies. This is an excellent resource for you to secure employment quickly and more easily. 36

44 MT Quick Start Guide What Percentage of Jobs Are Home Based? The industry trend is moving toward utilizing the power of the Internet. In the beginning, medical transcription over the Internet was thought not to be practical for security reasons. Every facet of the industry was skeptical about maintaining the confidentiality of medical records containing very personal information. Today, information encryption technology makes sensitive transmissions over the Internet significantly more secure and dependable. On-line banking is a good example of how people trust the security of transmitting personal information over Internet connections. This level of data transmission security has lead to the proliferation of home based businesses that support the healthcare industry as a whole. 37

45 The medical transcription industry has taken full advantage of this security technology with respect to offering secure and fast services to their clients. Home-based jobs have proved to reduce overhead costs and expenses for hospitals and clinics. Statistics show that 75% of MT jobs are home based and 25% are in office settings. As such, you have the option to choose which setting best accommodates your personal situation and allows you the best opportunity for earnings and the best environment to be the most productive employee you can be. As mentioned earlier, there are no geographic restrictions in the medical transcription world, so no matter what your preference is, there are options that fit your need. It is advised that you accept any transcription job that is offered to further your experience history and knowledge base as quickly as possible. Any experience gained will prove to be valuable when you decide to pursue another MT employer or another medical discipline to transcribe within. Having an experience base also allows you to be more selective on the type of company to work for and for selecting one that will most accommodate your individual 38

46 MT Quick Start Guide needs. The initial job may not be ideal or the most favored of jobs, but it will be the one that will most likely be the springboard to the ideal job and working environment. 39

47 What Are the Main Differences in Medical Transcription Schools? The differences are similar to that between a vocational school, distance learning school, a community college, and 4-year university. In a college or university setting, one gains more indepth knowledge about the theories, definitions, and academia aspects of the subject, whereas vocational schools focus on basic real-world training programs that prepare you to quickly jump right into the workforce and start earning money. To perform well in the MT world, the experience you accumulate comes primarily from on-the-job learning experiences. Obviously, university based transcription curriculums will provide a more comprehensive and in-depth knowledge base, but 40

48 MT Quick Start Guide you must ask yourself what level of education you personally require to pursue a transcriptionist career. In reality, only two options are available for consideration: 1.) Spend more time and money to go through a very in-depth and comprehensive college level curriculum or 2.) Choose the path of a comprehensive, yet practical, training course that allows you to complete the course work at a pace best suited for your personal situation and in a reduced timeframe, which leads to faster employment. Medical transcription schools and their curriculums should compliment one s personal goals and objectives. As mentioned earlier, MTs get paid primarily for accurate and productive performance, so it s those on-the-job experiences that will prove to be the most valuable to improve knowledge and skills that directly lead to enhanced pay, benefits, and career advancement opportunities. On-line or distance education programs are more cost effective than college courses and were developed to focus on the basic concepts of transcription, but yet were designed for an intense level of training that quickly prepares you for a faster entry into the workplace, thus the ability to begin earning money. 41

49 Can I Get Financial Aid to Study Medical Transcription? There are a few good schools that offer financial aid. Look for programs that offer several options like scholarship programs, student loans, repayment plans, less restrictive credit checks, etc. If bad credit is an issue, make sure to find a school that has a flexible repayment plan with a reasonable interest rate. Good plans are available, so complete your due diligence before you sign on the dotted line. Protect yourself and further damage to your credit score by reading the fine print. Also, seek legal advice if you are concerned about anything contained in the training contract agreement. Be sure to ask about any hidden or additional charges and check to see if any pro-rated interest will be refunded if the student loan balance is paid off early. 42

50 MT Quick Start Guide Finally, make sure to ask if you are allowed to graduate and receive a certificate of completion before your tuition loan is paid off. Some schools will not officially graduate you until all tuitions and loans are paid in full. 43

51 Can I Receive Work if I Live Outside the United States? Yes, it is technically and functionally feasible to work outside of the United States. There are many international students that have secured transcription work from U.S. based companies. All you need is a dependable and reliable Internet connection. Internet services are available from most developed countries throughout the world. U.S. citizens have little trouble working from abroad, but if you are not a U.S. citizen, visa and international employment regulations may be somewhat restrictive when applying for jobs with U.S. companies. It would be worth your time to check with the U.S. Department of Commerce and become familiar with those regulations and restrictions before searching for jobs in the U.S. 44

52 MT Quick Start Guide Do I Have to Go to School for Medical Transcription if I Already Have Experience as a Medical Assistant, Nurse or Doctor? While the background and knowledge base of people already working as a medical professional is indeed a plus, the reality is that most MT employers require a minimum of two years of transcription experience or that of a new graduate from an MT school. Employers typically don t view general medical background to be sufficient enough to excel in this profession without specialized training. Even though candidates with a medical background possess the acquired knowledge to become qualified MTs much quicker than someone who doesn t, transcription skills are best obtained by on-the-job experience or through obtaining a specific MT education. 45

53 If you are confident and ambitious enough to think you have what it takes to work as an MT without any formal medical transcription training, you can start searching for available positions through free services like They offer a free updated list of MT employers that you can start applying with directly. You can also post your resume at which is one of the largest recruiting companies for MTs. If you re not successful with this strategy, a formal MT education is going to be your best bet. The upside is that you ll likely progress through the training much faster and will be able to complement your resume with your already acquired medical background experience and be a few steps ahead of your competition. Bottom line, your newly acquired MT training coupled with your accrued medical experience will propel you toward a job in this very specialized field much faster than if you attempt to enter the field with no formal MT training. Test the water without formal MT training if you will, but don t be surprised if you re not successful. 46

54 MT Quick Start Guide What is HIPAA Compliancy? HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and was introduced by Congress in HIPAA set the standards in the healthcare industry for electronic transactions, national identifiers for providers, health insurance plans, and employers with the main goal to keep sensitive medical information private. The standards HIPAA set are meant to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare in the U.S. by promoting and encouraging the use of electronic data interchange. 47

55 Will the New 2009 Stimulus Bill That Requires Medical Records to Be Electronic Replace the MT? Misconceptions and wrong perceptions are always a part of any new government mandate. The Stimulus Bill of 2009 basically mandates that all patient records will be stored electronically. Today, patient records are stored both electronically and in paper form throughout medical facilities across the country. The ultimate goal is to eliminate the paper medium and transition all patient records to digital format mediums. This allows medical professionals to access the medical history of patients faster and more efficiently which in turn facilitates more timely and effective patient treatment decisions. The Bill as passed by Congress will have no negative effect on the need for transcriptionists. Transcribing 48

56 MT Quick Start Guide dictated patient records will always be necessary before those records are transitioned to digital format on electronic storage devices. 49

57 Will Voice Recognition Replace MTs? Voice recognition technology is widely accepted and deployed throughout many industries. However, the technology is difficult, time consuming, and costly to deploy. Voice recognition systems need to be trained to recognize a myriad of voice inflections and dialects, use of slang terms, and most difficult of all, the clear pronunciation of words and phrases. Although it is a very sophisticated technology, it is unreliable with respect to accuracy as it applies to patient records. Even if healthcare facilities used the technology for the purpose of transcribing records, they would still have to proof all records to assure the standard of 98.5% accuracy required by the medical transcription industry and HIPAA. Furthermore, doctors and their staffs cannot afford the time to do this, so they are going to be slow in using this technology in their everyday interaction 50

58 MT Quick Start Guide with patients. This time is not cost effective for doctors, but it is cost effective for them to hire transcriptionists or pay for transcription services provided by a third party. Another misconception about voice recognition is that it can make an MT more productive. This is not true because most experienced transcriptionists can actually type faster than they can speak. While MTs are transcribing, they can also multi-task and correct spelling versus having to go back after using voice recognition software to make corrections. In the end, an experienced MT who transcribes and completes editing the first time through the transcription process will always be more efficient and productive than an MT who uses voice recognition to input the spoken dictation into text and then has to go back through the document a second time to edit and proof their work. The capability of a trained MT and the effective use of human intelligence in transcribing audio files will always be far superior in the transcription industry. Voice recognition has a place in all industries, including the healthcare industry, but producing the accuracy demanded by the governing 51

59 bodies within the medical field fall squarely on the transcriptionist s shoulders. Voice recognition will obviously be more technologically sophisticated in the future, but it still won t jeopardize the need for transcriptionists. Yes, the methods by which to transcribe will keep pace with technology advancements in terms of hardware and software, but these advancements will only serve to make the transcriptionist more productive and efficient. Healthcare professionals want to spend more quality time with their patients, so outsourcing transcription needs to service companies will remain more appealing to them despite advancements in technology. Similar to an author or an editor, there will always be a need for proofing a document s terminology, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. You will be the specialist in these areas serving the needs of the healthcare industry for the foreseeable future. 52

60 MT Quick Start Guide Do I Need to Be a Certified Medical Transcripitionist (CMT) or a Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) to Work as an MT? The certified medical transcriptionist (CMT) or the registered medical transcriptionist (RMT) certification is neither required nor necessary to entering the profession as a medical transcriptionist. Today, there is no state or federal licensing requirement for medical transcriptionists. The AHDI (Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity) recommends formal education before taking the RMT exam, however they recommend a minimum of 2 years of medical transcription experience before taking the CMT exam. Continuing education classes and acquiring additional certifications will, of course, enhance 53

61 your resume and the prospect of employment, but as it stands today you only need to find an employer to hire you. As mentioned before, most employers are looking for some level of experience or those candidates with formal MT training. 54

62 MT Quick Start Guide Will MT Courses Prepare Me for the CMT (AHDI) Exam? Some MT courses did, in part, prepare you for the CMT exam, but the AHDI has made the exam much more difficult. At this time there is no MT course that prepares you adequately to pass the exam. The CMT exam is designed to test an MT who has at least two years of experience. There are two testing components that the AHDI administers, Part 1 and Part 2, and the AHDI has recently combined both parts into one exam. Originally, Part 1 was for new MT graduates and Part 2 was for experienced MTs. Since the exam is now combined, MT courses can no longer meet the training criteria required to successfully pass the CMT exam immediately following the completion of basic MT training. 55

63 Can I Use a Macintosh Computer in the MT Industry? It is well known and documented within the MT industry that Macintosh computers, and the applications that run on them, have compatibility issues with PC based systems and applications. This has been debated vigorously by Macintosh and die-hard users over the years, but the simple reality is that mainstream corporate business is primarily conducted on PC based systems. As such, it stands to reason that this is why virtually all MTs use PCs for transcription. Yes, some MTs use Macintosh, but they are a rare breed and spend a lot to time talking with technical support people and have considerable downtime with compatibility issues. These compatibility issues ultimately lead to delayed or lost revenue-producing opportunities and overall earning potential. 56

64 MT Quick Start Guide Most, if not all, employers use PC based systems for their transcription services. It s recognized that there are compatible applications that run on Macintosh systems, but it s doubtful any employers want the headaches associated with making sure their transcription services aren t interrupted with technical issues and, most importantly, their revenue streams from clients either. If you can t live without your Macintosh, it is possible to find a way to make it work, but we strongly recommend you think twice about trying to transcribe on anything other than a PC based computer. Avoiding these inevitable compatibility issues will make your life a whole lot easier. 57