Medical Transcription Training

Employers will almost exclusively hire transcriptionists who have completed some kind of formal training in the area or who have experience. There are many ways to obtain such training, but for most a community college or vocational school will be the best option, especially if the training includes on-the-job experience. Do not worry about whether or not they offer the opportunity to earn the Certified Medical Transcriptionist designation. This is not a required certification in general, and in fact, most transcriptionists need a couple of years' experience before they can pass the test to gain this designation. I am not a CMT, but I was able to find a job.

Courses typically take several months to two years to complete, depending on the school chosen. Many vocational schools include the cost of books and course materials in their tuition, which may be helpful after you have landed a job. If you already work in a medical field, and simply want to switch to working from home, you may only need to learn transcription, as you may already have the vocabulary you need, but think carefully, as a refresher course may not be an entirely bad thing either.

It is also possible to take transcription courses at home. This option is more flexible but may be more challenging in other ways. Your selection of a course of study should depend on how you will best learn what you need to know.

You will need an assortment of reference books. Some you may recieve with your training, but you may find you need others. See the equipment page for suggestions.

College Courses

College courses are best for most people. Having an instructor to help you through the difficult parts and to keep you working on a schedule can be a great benefit. Many schools also offer job placement assistance, which may not be available through home study courses.

Community Colleges

Perhaps the cheapest method of instructor-led training you can get, but it may not be quick. A quick look at a local community shows a 22-25 unit requirement for certification in Medical Transcription. This would require a minimum of two semesters' work or more, depending on prerequisites and whether you attend part- or full-time.

Costs vary by what state you live in. Check with your local school.

Vocational Schools

Vocational schools cost more than community colleges, typically into the thousands, but may offer more flexiblity when it comes to the timing of your class. This may not be a quick solution either. With a quick look at a local vocational school's webpage, I found that its Medical Transcription training program takes about 28 weeks of classroom time and four weeks of an externship. Check to see if textbooks and other supplies are included in the cost.

Home Study

Home study courses offer the most flexiblity in many ways, but they offer challenges as well. You must be capable of working on your own. On the other hand, if you want to work at home, that's a skill you need. You'll need special equipment for this option in many cases, such as a foot pedal.


Which option is best? That depends in large part on how you best learn and what is available in your area. There's no one definite right answer that will meet everyone's needs. Sphere: Related Content

Gain The Medical Transcription Wages You Deserve

Do you want to know what a great medical transcription wages is and how to get there fast? All transcriptionists want to know this.

That really is only natural after all - what is the point in learning the medical terminology skills if the rewards are not there?

The first thing you need to note is that MT wages vary considerably. They increase with both your competence and experience.

According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2007 the mean hourly medical transcription wage was US$15.44. The mean annual wage was US$32,120.


As you read on you will see how you can far surpass these medical transcription wages.

Industries with the highest levels of employment were General Medical and Surgical Hospitals, and wages rates were highest in Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories.

The top paying industries for a medical transcription salary were in Agencies, Brokerages and Other Insurance Related Activities.

In the US the highest concentration of workers was in South Dakota, where the hourly mean wage was $13.28 and the annual mean wage was $27,620. The top paying state was California with their hourly mean medical transcription wages of $19.15 and an annual mean wage of $39840.

In May 2002 a survey was conducted by the AHDI that reported an average medical transcriptionists salary to be US$31,400.

A survey conducted towards the end of 2002 by the magazine Advance for Health Information Professionals revealed that certified medical transcriptionists earned more than their non-certified counterparts.

The average medical transcriptionists salary was US$29732 with the CMT’s earning an average of US$36,225 annually.


Medical Transcription Wages Per Line Rates

The number of lines you can produce on a daily basis is an important factor and often the medical transcription wages you earn are determined by this production. This is especially so for those employed by a medical transcription services company or as an independent contractor.

Medical transcription pay rates vary on the number of lines and the price you are being paid per line.

To give you an idea, a medical transcriptionist typing

800 lines/day @ 8 cents per line = annual income US$16,640

1500 lines @ 6 cents per line = annual income US$23,400

1500 lines @ 10 cents per line = annual income US$39,000

1500 lines @ 14 cents per line = annual income US$54,600

2000 lines @ 6 cents per line = annual income US$31,200

2000 lines @ 12 cents per line = annual income US$62,400

As you can see from these figures two important factors in your income are your ability to negotiate the best package, and your productivity. Remember you also need the accuracy.

A positive self image and good people skills helps when negotiating.

An average annual income for full-time entry-level medical transcriptionists typing hospital reports is in the range from US$20,000 to US$35000, depending on your location and competence.

As you gain experience, and if you chose to become an independent contractor, you are in a position to increase your earnings. Overheads need to be deducted from your income when you are a contractor.

The average production based medical transcription wages are between 6 cents and 10 cents per line. As your speed and proficiency increase and you gain your own clients, you can bill 10 cents to 16 cents per line.


Primary Factors Affecting Medical Transcription Salary Income

1. Competence

2. Area of Specialty

3. Experience

4. Whether you are a Contractor or Employee

5. Speed and Efficiency

6. Flexibility

7. Geographic Location (this is becoming less important with technology changes)



Those specializing in areas of health like acute care, multi specialty clinic ER, Oncology and Radiology are in demand and this increases the rates paid to the competent transcriptionist.

When looking for the best position consider the medical transcription jobs employee benefits that go along with the job.

Summing it all up to achieve the best medical transcription wages you need to:

• Become certified

• Specialize in an in demand field that you enjoy

• Get your speed and accuracy up

Then as your experience increases, you WILL be in demand! Sphere: Related Content

Medical Transcription - An Option For a Secure Future

Medical transcription refers to the process of transposing the notes or dictation of healthcare producers into an accurate text document.

Tough economic times often cause stress to people. And, stress is known to affect one's health detrimentally. As the baby boomer's age, more people are heading to their doctor's for treatment of their aches and pains.

Put it all together and medical transcription work is only likely to increase. If you are looking for a home based career, you simply must at least consider medical transcription as an option.

Have You Considered a Career in Medical Transcription?

For a medical transcription career a background in typing or medicine is certainly an asset to getting started. These abilities can be learned by the entry level transcriptionist.

This is a career that does not bind you to living in one place. You can access your work from anywhere around the globe as long as you have broadband access to the Internet and a computer with reasonable specifications.

The future as a medical transcriptionist looks promising. Our population is aging and the demand is on the healthcare industry. As more reports need to be done, there is more work for the medical transcriptionist.

Starting in Medical Transcription

When starting a medical transcription business, there are tips that will help you along the way. You need to know how to gain some experience in medical transcription.

You can attend a local training institution, or learn from take home study courses. There are now reputable online medical transcription schools. You need to become competent but medical transcription degrees are not a requirement to start your business.

Proper training is required resulting in a high degree of accuracy, a high level of productivity and familiarity with professional tools. When you become competent and accurate in your work, and have mastered the digital equipment, you will have no trouble finding work.

How To Achieve The Best Medical Transcription Rate?

The medical transcription field continues to be an essential part of healthcare even with all the world's technological advances. This will continue due to the fact that computer's don't do dictation, as we know it.

When you are working in the medical transcription industry and you specialize, it has a huge impact on your income potential. The medical transcription rate you will be paid is dependent on your level of competence. The demand for the particular sector you are transcribing is also a factor.

Sphere: Related Content