In the Spotlight: Medical Transcriptionists
An important profession in the health care industry for providing documentation is a medical transcriptionist. Medical transcriptionists (MTs) listen to dictated recordings of physicians and health care professionals and translate the dictation onto paper. These recordings can consist of medial records, surgical proceedings, correspondence or other documents. Generally, medical transcriptionists listen to the recordings on a headset and use a pedal that can stop the recordings for when they need to catch up on the data. After the information has been transcribed, the medical transcriptionist will deliver the data to the person who dictated the information onto the tape for review. These documents become permanent records in a surgical proceeding, a patient's records or the hospital records.
It is preferred that a medical trancriptionist knows the material that he or she is transcribing. They must be able to understand medical terminology as well as all areas that are being discussed in the recording. Obviously, grammar and spelling must be excellent in order to transcribe the materials. Medical transcriptionists must have medical reference materials handy to be able to completely understand the material that they are transcribing.
Medical transcriptionists held approximately 100,000 jobs in 2000. About half of those employees were employed by a hospital. Employers prefer to hire medical transcriptionists that have completed training and even better, those who are certified medical transcriptionists (CMTs). The two-year associate program or one-year certification program includes courses in anatomy, medical terminology, legal issues, as well as lessons in writing and grammar. Many of these programs provide on-the-job training and include a sort of mentorship program where the future MT learns from an experienced CMT. According to the American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT), every three years, CMTs must earn continuing education credits so that they may maintain their certification.
Career Advancement Opportunities are Available
Inova Health System offers a variety of specialty opportunities. Click here for more
information on nursing education opportunities.
For more information on becoming a medical transcriptionist:
- The American Association for Medical Transcription
- Training Opportunities in the Northern Virginia Area
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