Columbia State Offers On-Line Medical Transcription Program

     Columbia State’s Center for Economic and Community Development is offering a new 9-month on-line program in medical transcription.

     “The on-line medical transcription program provides a career option for people who want work at home and are interested in the health care profession,” explains Paul Jennings, executive director of the Center for Economic and Community Development.

     A medical transcriptionist (MT) is a medical language specialist. MTs listen to and transcribe dictated recordings made by physicians and other medical professionals. These voice recordings come from digital voice technology allowing the medical transcriptionist to work from home or in an office setting.

     According to the United State Department of Labor, employment opportunities for medical transcriptionists are expected to grow at a faster rate than other careers through 2010. Employment opportunities exist with doctors’ offices, hospitals, medical transcription companies, laboratories, insurance companies and many others. A May 2002 member survey conducted by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) reported an average annual salary of $31,400.

     Minimum requirements for the program are a high school diploma or GED, and keyboarding skills of 45 words per minute. Other characteristics that are good for potential students are excellent English language skills, a strong interest in medical language and a good hearing and listening ability. A high level of concentration for extended periods of time is also important.