Medical Transcription Training

To become a medical transcriptionist you will need some form of formal training. The choices of training will vary depending on your circumstances and preferences.  

For instance, I have known several friends who never actually trained in a school or through a home study course. Instead they were trained by a fellow MT and given hands-on transcription training.

I must add, these friends who didn’t take a course did struggle a bit more at the beginning… the learning curve was definitely longer. However, they were both determined to make it work and now one in particular has gone on to build a very successful business.

If you’re lucky enough to find someone willing to do this, then by all means go for it.  However, if, like most of us, you don’t have an MT friend willing to train you, then you’ll either consider a course at a local college or a home study course.

What Your Medical Transcription Training Should Include: 

• Anatomy  
• Infectious disease 
• Medical terminology (various stages) 
• English/grammar  
• Pharmacology  
• Typing & Word Processing Equipment 

Courses will vary but you will need a good grasp of the English language and grammar skills, medical terminology training, basic knowledge of using a computer and word processor, reasonably fast typing speed and a lot of common sense.

Don’t get discouraged if you feel you don’t have some of these traits.  When I started my MT training, I had very little knowledge of computers and my typing speed was the worst in the whole class!  So if you can’t type to save your life, don’t worry, a good typing software and a little practice will get you up to speed in no time.

Medical Transcription Course – College or Home Study?

Most technology schools and community colleges have medical transcription courses available.  You should study each one carefully and be prepared to ask questions like  what the course will teach, how long it will take to complete, whether they have job-placement assistance and so on.

These courses do tend to be a little pricey (especially at technology colleges) and sometimes, in my opinion, seem to be drawn out quite a bit.  Some do offer financial assistance or let you break down your payments.

You can expect to study for about a year on a full-time basis, two years part time.  However, If you choose a reputable college you will leave completely trained as an MT and ready to take on many different types of work with confidence… which means you can start making money immediately.

Home Study Course

A medical transcription home-study course is a good option if you have time restraints which keep you from attending classes. You can usually study at your own pace, and there are several very good courses to choose from. Home-study courses also tend to be more reasonably priced than college courses.

One thing to keep in mind is if you do choose a home-study course you will have to be disciplined.  You may find it helpful to set up a schedule to work to and write down goals for when you would like to finish your course.

A home-study is a good option as long as you have the drive and perseverance to get through the course.  If your final aim is to become a medical transcriptionist and work from home then you probably possess these attributes already.

As with any college course make sure you ask lots of questions and read any agreements carefully before signing.

Next: Medical Transcription Salary