877.335.4072
FAQs
QUESTIONS LISTING
Q: What is medical transcription?
Q: And it requires training?
Q: How does your program work?
Q: How much does it cost?
Q: How long does it take?
Q: Is this field for me?
Q: Why should I look into this field?
Q: What about voice recognitions systems? Will they hurt the aspiring MT?
Q: Can I really make money?
Q: How can I learn to do it?
Q: Do you have instructors?
Q: What equipment do I need?
Q: Do I need to be certified?
Q: Do you provide job placement?
Q: Are your programs accredited?
Q: So how do I get started?
Q: Anything else?
Q: What exactly is Medical Transcription?
A: Virtually every encounter that takes place between a health care provider and his or her patient must be put into written documentation. Generally, the information is recorded either onto tape or a digital voice processing system. The dictated information is then listened to by a medical transcriptionist (MT) who transcribes the report into either a hard copy or an electronic medical record using a computer and a word processor.
A: Absolutely. It is a highly specialized field requiring a strong medical background, a knowledge of Latin (and Greek) word derivation, anatomy, physiology, and pharmacy. Those who learn to do it successfully generally are good spellers, and have good keyboard skills. Speed increases with training and experience.
Q: How does your program work?
A: It is a home-based on-line distance learning program that is entirely self-paced. You do it in your own time frame at home. It is entirely platform learning so you are presented information, and then you are tested on it. You do not move forward until you fully grasp the topic you are working on. The first part of the program teaches the derivation of words, how they are combined, and where to find them in reference material. The second portion provides hundreds of medical reports you must review, analyze and answer questions about. Then you are ready to begin transcribing. First you listen and type the reports in the Surgical Compendium, then you move into the entire transcription phase. You will do about 40 hours of dictation which provides you a great deal of experience with dictation.
You may also decide to enter the Jumpstart Program that is designed as an internship when you complete the training. To learn more, read about our Jumpstart Internship Program.
A: The cost of the Medical Transcription training course varies according to the options selected and the type of course selected, whether as a full on-line course or as an eBook. For current pricing and course details and options, please refer to the following:
Prices and Course Descriptions are subject to change without notice. Additional financing and payment plans other than those linked by reference above may also be available. For more information, please call us toll free: 877-335-4072
Q: How long does it take to complete this program?
A: It is about 400 clock hours and requires anywhere from 3 to 6 months (depending how much time you have to devote to the program).
A: If you have at least average keyboard skills (50 words per minute), are already a good speller and have a good grasp of English grammar, and can learn and retain what you’ve learned, this could definitely be for you. The platform learning system provided really helps on the retention end. If you are curious about the words and work, click on the “Fun Skill Tests” at the left menu. Don’t forget the free evaluation too.
Q: Why should I look into this field?
A: Consider first and foremost that it is a major career in one of the top economic industries, health care. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that there will be a 44% increase in MTs needed by the year 2006, (and thereafter), so the demand will definitely exceed the supply. Then consider the time and money savings by training and working at home, gasoline, day care expense, general reduction of the overhead of daily living because you are at work instead of stuck in traffic, wasting the most precious commodity you have: Time. The part of your home that you use for business is an expense for tax purposes, and, as already mentioned, you can usually write off as an expense the cost of the program. And the best reason, you set your own hours and have more time for family and friends.
The medical industry historically has been virtually immune to recession – the demand for medical services, and therefore the demand for all related products and services, such as medical transcription, (coding and billing) has never diminished. Security to that extent is difficult to find. The medical industry has experienced the most steady and concrete growth of any North American industry that actually has economic impact on a national scale. And because you are paid by the word, line or page, you are rewarded according to your own ability and dedication, so your ultimate success is up to you. Your earning potential is entirely in your hands, enabling you to take charge of your future. Our best transcriptionists averaged $50K or more 10 years ago. We provide you in-depth information on MTs making $50 to $100 K a year. In the HomeBizBook, all of the information related to earnings, contracts, and tax information is provided. As well, in the Mega-MT Course, Transition, Student to MT, provides valuable information on the business aspect of MT’ing.
You will not only develop a specialized skill, but also a greatly increased understanding of the human machine and its mysteries. You will interface more successfully with your personal and family health care providers and the billing and payment process, an informed consumer as it were. The work is interesting (patient care) with its triumphs, frustrations, and failures. And developing this specialized skill can lead to other venues too, such as insurance claim review-audit, peer review, editing, building your own MT company, procedural and diagnostic coding and abstracting, and medical billing. The rewards can be fantastic!
Q: What about voice recognitions systems? Will they hurt the aspiring MT?
A:Voice recognition systems are often discussed as an imminent threat to MTs. This has been true since 1989. Despite millions and millions of investment into the technology, it has never materialized very effectively. The vocabulary of medicine with the ability to combine Latin words is virtually infinite. No voice-based memory thus far developed has been remotely capable of addressing that with any precision, let alone the exigencies of a voice with a cold (not recognized by the software), set maximum speech input speeds (mostly too slow) so the dictator wastes a lot of professional (and expensive) time. Those that have been implemented require MTs to edit the errors out. Currently one of our Jumpstart clients uses VR and the MT trainees listen to and edit the computer version (at a lower line rate than producing it entire, but the speed with which it is done well compensates). We don’t see much of a threat from our observation and research since MTs still need to listen and edit.
Q: Can I really make any money at home?
A: By developing this skill, yes, you certainly can. All of Meditec’s transcriptionists worked at home on contract. The average transcriptionist types about 300 lines per hour, about $24 per hour. High end MTs using word expanders and macros (and good keyboard skills) do 400, 500 and even 600 LPH. You do the math.
A: Meditec has trained hundreds of medical transcriptionists for over 27 years for its own service. Early on, we discovered we had to train them. We had to do it rapidly to meet our client expectations, and developed a method that worked. The course is the culmination of all those years of training in the real world. We have now been exclusively in the training field for more than 10 years. Meditec’s Jumpstart Program is unique too in that we have a number of clients who await our successful graduates for 30 to 90 day internships, then those clients hire the interns. A real edge indeed.
A: If you visit most medical transcription student boards, you will find a constant complaint of “no contact,” “no teacher.” Meditec has live instructors on-line every day Monday through Friday for any course questions. They are also available by email with fast turnaround. Remember too, when you are working, the same professionals are available to help you.
A: For the training, a computer with a word processor, the ability to get onto and surf the internet (dial up or DSL) and a Waveplayer or a cassette transcriber to do the dictation or listen to the audio. When you are ready to work, you will need a medical spellchecker (inexpensive), sometimes software communication upload/download protocols, (inexpensive) and other types of reference books depending upon what type of dictation you end up working with. Most vendors for these products will provide you a discount as a Meditec student. The course provides you with a spellchecker while you are training. When you enter the Jumpstart Program, the upload/download protocols are part of the training.
A: AAMT provides CMT certification. You can read all about it at that site. You do not need to be certified to work. Most potential employers certainly appreciate that designation, but do not require it.
Q: Do you provide placement or otherwise provide work?
A: Meditec.Com does not guarantee employment in any sense. The Career Development and HomeBiz Book will greatly assist you in finding work. Staff is dedicated to that end too. Employers constantly contact us for successful candidate applications. We provide those company sites to you. The Jumpstart Program is a wonderful way to bridge the gap.
Q: Are your programs accredited?
A: Yes. We are Registered under the “Utah Postsecondary Proprietary School Act.” We do not award credits that you can transfer to any other school. Those that offer associate’s degrees do not provide transfer credits either. Our Certificate of Completion and award of “Medical Transcriptionist” designation from a 400 hour program is quite sufficient based on fact.
A: Call 877.335.4072 or enroll online. If you need financial assistance, review that information.
A: Only this: If you want a new and specialized career that is in great demand, one that has been immune to recession and other economic and industry fluctuations, one that can be easily developed into a home business, and get you the independence you want, then look no further. If you’ve shopped the others, and hopefully you have, you know the most cost-effective way by far to get on track in this exciting field is with us. Just do it!
