Getting a medical transcription certification can open doors to many high paying and rewarding careers. In fact, thanks in large part due to the advent of the internet, a medical transcription certification is much easier to obtain today than ever before. All you have to do is sign up online and take the specified courses to receive it. Here is a bit more about medical transcriptionists, their roles, and where to obtain a medical transcription certification.
A medical transcriptionist is the person who takes the voice recordings of healthcare professionals and then turns that dialogue into a printed form for medical reports and other types of paperwork so that it can be filed away and documented. A few examples of the reports they type up would include autopsy, medical studies, summaries of discharge, notes, medical histories and other examination notes to name just a few.
The machines they work with commonly have a pedal at their feet that they can push at will to pause the recording then key the text into the computer. It’s a job that is highly attractive because of the high pay but more importantly, the ability to do all of this from the comfort of your own home.
How to Get a Medical Transcription Certification
It is not necessarily required to graduate from an accredited medical transcription certification training program. What it will do though is help you get your foot in the door to higher paying employers and gives you a leg up on your competition. You are also required to have two years of experience to receive an accredited medical transcription certification. Online schooling will certainly help you master all of the data that you will need to receive the certificate as well.
Before you can receive your certification, as noted above, you will need to have 2 years of experience working as a medical transcriptionist. There is a legislative body called the ADHI or Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity who creates the exam that interested students must pass before they can receive the accredited degree. The exam will constitute roughly four hours of your time to take and complete.
The Medical Transcription Certification Testing Procedure
Testing for the exam takes place all year long. To find out where they are taking place in your area, do a brief search online and you will see a listing of times, dates and scheduled locations.
In order to take the medical transcription certification exam, you will need to bring just one form of current government identification that has a photo of yourself as well as your signature. Something like a driver’s license or passport will work just fine.
It’s best to arrive at least a half an hour early so you can get settled in, make sure your payment goes through and be all prepared mentally for the exam. The price you will have to pay will vary from state to state and whether or not you are an ADHI member.
Normal testing fees is around $300 for non-AHDI members and around $200 for ADHI members. There’s also a $10 application fee. You have to pay all of these fees before you will be allowed to take the certification test.
Training for the Medical Transcription Certification
There’s nothing in the world that offers more training than working as an actual medical transcriptionist. You will need two years of experience either way, so it is best to get going and find a place that will allow you to work under someone and start your training.
There are also many websites online that will train you to help you receive your transcription certification. AHDI has their own website and a section devoted to people preparing for the test.
Every three years you will be required to renew your certification. Find out to see if your current employer will cover the fees for you to test again.
The medical transcription field is a high paying and rewarding career that will allow many freedoms that other jobs do not. At the same time, this field is not meant for everyone.
Sure once you receive your medical transcription certification you may have the ability to work irregular hours and at home at your own convenience, but you also have to realize that it requires sitting down at a desk for over 40 hours each and every week. Some people are just not made for this type of work. There is also tremendous pressure to make sure that every document is submitted on time and is 100% accurate.
The outlook for the medical transcription certification field is good. In fact, it is only growing as the need for medical care is always relevant no matter what happens in the economic environment. As more and more people tend to age longer, the need for more medical care tends to rise right along with it.
If you are serious about wanting to pursue a career as a medical transcriptionist, now is a good time to do so. Visit the official ADHI medical transcription certification website today for more information.