Selecting a Medical Transcription School

For years before telecommuting became a buzz word, medical transcription was taking place in homes all across the country. It remains an excellent option for the primarily female workforce. Women who want to be able to contribute to family finances or support their family while having the flexibility of working at home will find medical transcription challenging but rewarding. There are many transcription schools to choose from, and choosing the right one is absolutely essential to career success.

What is medical transcription?

Medical transcriptionists listen to recorded dictation from healthcare providers who are documenting patient records. It is very similar to taking dictation for any other profession, but requires a highly specialized knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, laboratory values, and pharmacology.

Getting an education

A good education is absolutely essential. It's very difficult to get your first job, and nearly impossible if you haven't gone to the "right" school. Entrants find themselves in a classic "catch-22," needing experience to get a job and unable to get it.

There are transcription schools that provide a thorough education that can help immensely in launching a successful medical transcription career. Many schools maintain agreements with employers and/or have job placement services for graduates.

The transcription school you choose should have:

• A curriculum developed by credentialed and experienced instructors.
• Instructors who are credentialed, experienced or both.
• At least 30 hours of real practice dictation tapes, not tapes recorded in a studio.
• A basic curriculum that includes English language, grammar and usage; medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology; elements of style; privacy and security; technology.
• A commitment to participating in the transcription education community, visibility at meetings, supporting ongoing education, education standards, transparency and relationships with industry leaders.

The last thing you want is to spend money to get an education, only to find you can't get a job. Careful attention to what makes a good medical transcription education will lead you to the best transcription schools and a successful start to your at-home career.