Students interested in the health industry may want to consider enrolling in an online education program and earning a medical transcriptionist certificate. Medical transcriptionists serve physicians primarily by transcribing dictated recordings into medical reports, correspondence, and other administrative documents. About 70 percent of medical transcriptionists work in hospitals or physicians' offices.
Earning a Medical Transcriptionist Certificate
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that medical transcriptionist employers prefer individuals who have earned a certificate through post-secondary training programs, which educate students in the following areas:
- Medical terminology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Diagnostic procedures
- Pharmacology
- Treatment assessments
- Transcription techniques
Medical transcriptionists should also have a firm understanding of grammar and computer software, in addition to good listening skills. Completing your education online is a convenient way to learn; you can master the above subjects on your own time.
Career Outlook
- Percentage of medical transcriptionists who worked in hospitals: 36 percent
- Mean annual salary per year: $33,530
- Projected employment growth: 11 percent from 2008 to 2018
- Medical transcriptionist's best friend: speech recognition technology
- Education needed: associate degree or certificate
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010 data)