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| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
| The National Institute of Realtime Reporting is one of the few licensed
schools in the country teaching realtime voice recognition technology for
Medical Transcription. |
| Why attend a School that uses Realtime Voice Technology in Medical Transcription? |
- No physical exhaustion from typing
- Instant Transcriptions - no wait –Employers love this
- Saves hundreds of hours of production work so you can make more money
- Easy to use and mobile
- Faster than typing
Most people speak over 120 words per minute, but type less than 40-50 words a minute. That means you can produce about three times faster with Realtime Voice Recognition technology
- More accurate
With up to 99% accuracy when trained, Realtime Voice Recognition Technology is typically more accurate than typing. Build custom vocabularies for your topics and attain even higher accuracy.
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| What does a Medical Transcriptionist do? |
Medical Transcriptionists are specialists in medical language and healthcare documentation who interpret and transcribe dictation by physicians and other healthcare professionals regarding patient assessment, workup, therapeutic procedures, clinical course, diagnosis, prognosis, laboratory reports, consultation notes, office notes, operative reports, discharge summaries, psychiatric evaluations, x-ray reports and pathology reports, editing dictated material for grammar and clarity as necessary and appropriate. |
| How is medical transcription done? |
In the past, medical transcription involved receiving dictation by tape, digital system or voice file, and using earphones, a foot pedal for start-stop control and a word processing program. A variety of word-processing systems were used and the Medical Transcriptionist would type the dictation. With the new realtime voice recognition technology, the Transcriptionist can use realtime voice recognition technology to make a record of the dictation. The Transcriptionist does this by repeating what is being said and the written word appearing on the screen. Consequently, the Transcritionist is not typing the document; rather, the computer is recognizing his/her voice and printing the voiced text. Many medical facilities and transcription companies are also using FTP sites in order to facilitate transcription of medical files. The Transcriptionist would dial into a site using a hard land line, and type the medical files he/she had downloaded from that particular site. Because you are not typing, your production dramatically increases as well as less physical strain and exhaustion. |
| What characteristics do I need to become a Medical Transcriptionist? |
You need very good English language skills, as well as a strong interest in the medical language. You need good hearing acuity and listening ability. You need reasonable keyboarding skills, and must be able to type at least 40 wpm. You must also have a clear understanding of computer hardware and software. A high level of concentration for extended periods of time is also important. |
| Who do Medical Transcriptionists work for? |
A Transcriptionist can live in Montana 100 miles from the nearest city, and work for a client at the other end of the country in Boston. With the new technology, this is happening more and more. Medical Transcriptionists may work for medical facilities as employees in-house; they may work for transcription services in-house (actual employee) or at home (independent subcontractors or statutory employees).
Potential clients are doctors’ offices, medical clinics, hospitals (of all shapes and sizes), rehabilitation centers, ambulance services, company medical centers (some big companies have their own medical transcription departments), and transcription services, large and small.
There is also the option for a Medical Transcriptionist to acquire his or her own clients, in which case that Medical Transcription is a self-employed entrepreneur. |
| Can I work from home as a Medical Transcriptionist? |
The answer is a qualified "Yes." Working from home can be wonderful, especially if you need to be there to see your children off to school and greet them when they get home. Many Medical Transcriptionists work from home. Some have others working for them. Others have a few accounts they negotiated for themselves with medical offices. Some work at home for medical transcription services. It is an individual choice as to which situation is best for you. You must, of course, have a great deal of structure and self-discipline in order to work from home. You will have to meet deadlines. You have to keep your commitments. If you say you have 24-hour turnaround for the work you do, you’d better have the work where it’s supposed to be in 24 hours. Otherwise, you will not keep your contract. When the work is there, you have to do it even if you have other plans. That’s a disadvantage to working from home. If you’re working for someone else, away from home, you can leave work at the end of the shift. Many Medical Transcriptionists work part-time at home and use the Medical Transcription work to supplement their other career/profession that may be lucrative or have benefits. Many medical facilities also let you work part-time at their site. |
| Do at-home Transcriptionists receive any type of benefits? |
Working at home is actually a benefit in itself. Because you work out of your home this can mean a substantial savings. This savings can consist of day care costs, clothing expenses, traveling expenses, meal expenses, and even time that is taken unpaid. With all of these components taken into consideration, on average, an experienced Medical Transcriptionist can earn $20,000 a year working part-time and $50,000+ a year full time. They can earn more if they choose to have their own business and work at home. Working at home allows you to write off many of your expenses using your home as an office.
As for benefits themselves, over the past few years many companies are now offering medical benefits, paid time off, pension plans, life insurance, etc. Consequently, being a Transcriptionist can be lucrative. |
| Do I have to be certified by The American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT) in order to work in the profession? |
No, you do not have to be certified by any organization in order to work in this profession. There are no mandatory or government mandated laws or testing requirements regarding Medical Transcription. Taking a specific test does not increase your chances for more job opportunities or better earnings. This is basically a personal choice.
The American Association for Medical Transcription maintains a Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) program, providing independent certification. A small percentage of Medical Transcriptionists have obtained this certification. The AAMT is the membership organization for the medical transcription profession.
Please note that the School’s curriculum was not developed to meet the needs of any AAMT certification program. |
| Do I need to know how to type? |
It is essential that you have a minimum typing speed of 40 wpm in order to either type a medical file from an FTP site, or to quickly clean up your documents using realtime voice technology. Knowledge of a computer and a basic word-processing program is a must.
Typing is not included in the medical transcription course, although we work with you to increase speed and accuracy throughout the program. Students are required to type 40 wpm.
Students can gain the typing speed and accuracy they need with inexpensive software programs designed to teach typing. There are many excellent programs available for $25 or less that can be used to increase typing skills while the student is studying medical transcription. |
| On average, how much can a Medical Transcriptionist earn? |
Earnings vary considerably. A May 2002 member survey conducted by AAMT reported an average annual salary of $31,400. Others are making much more, or less. It depends a great deal on being in the right place at the right time with the right skills. All kinds of situations exist. On average, an experienced Medical Transcriptionist can earn $20,000 a year working part-time and $50,000+ a year full-time. Transcriptionists can earn more if they choose to have their own business and work at home.
A set hourly rate is difficult to establish in this profession since most at home Transcriptionists work by production i.e. page or line rate. However, on average an experienced Transcriptionist can make up to $25.00 - $35.00 per hour. It is important to remember that although earnings in this field can be substantial, the money you can make by working at home can also supplement your existing career and income.
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| How are Medical Transcriptionists paid? |
Medical Transcriptionists may be paid in any of a variety of ways, but chiefly by the hour, by production, or by a combination of hourly pay plus incentive pay for production. |
| What is the job market for a Medical Transcriptionist? |
A well-qualified conscientious medical transcriptionist, according to all the latest information, has a secure future. There is a huge demand for such Medical Transcriptionists in all areas of the country. Communication technology and the Internet have allowed national services to hire in all locations around the country. |
| How much education and training does a medical transcriptionist need? |
Medical Transcription requires a great deal more than quickly transcribing medical terms. Even though students complete the course quickly and get out there making money using their new skills, it’s important to know that Medical Transcriptionists always have to keep learning. Throughout your career as a Medical Transcriptionist you will need to keep up with changes in technology, medical procedures, etc. |
| What does your course include? |
Our course is comprehensive and includes beginning, intermediate and advanced Medical Transcription skills. We start with medical terminology, anatomy and physiology and disease process (pathology) as well as proper medical report style and formatting, confidentiality, legalities, familiarity with medical records and ethics. Our students start transcribing shortly after enrolling and transcribe throughout the course. |
| How is the course structured? |
Medical Terminology
Study of the meaning, derivation, and usage of medical terminology.
Anatomy and Physiology
Study of the structure and function of the human body.
Review of Systems
An in-depth study of the history and physical examination.
Human Diseases
A comprehensive study of disease processes organized by body systems.
Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures
An introduction to the principal types of diagnostic procedure: physical measurements, electrodiagnostics, endoscopy, medical imaging, and clinical pathology.
Medical Transcription Practice
Transcription of authentic physician-dictated reports organized by body systems.
Using reference materials and other resources efficiently.
Editing and proofreading techniques.
Understanding professional issues in medical transcription.
Grammar and punctuation review.
Professional Issues
Review of independent contractor status.
HIPAA issues.
Technology such as FTP sites and digital transmission modes.
Marketing your skills and your professional image.
Medical Transcription Equipment and Software
Students are guided through the medical transcription equipment and speech recognition software.
Basic functions of Microsoft Word. |
| What materials do I need for the course? |
| The School provides all the equipment, software, medical books and materials you will need for the course. |
| Will I be a certified Medical Transcriptionist when I have finished school? |
Upon completion of a medical transcription course your will receive a Certificate in Medical Transcription from the school which is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Education. This is not equivalent to the designation of "Certified Medical Transcriptionist" (CMT). This status can be achieved only by passing the certification exam administered by the AAMT. To retain this credential, a CMT must meet recertification requirements that include continuing education. |
| Is quality or quantity of medical transcription more important? |
Quality is more important, but you must have the knowledge and skills to be able to provide your employer or clients with both. Start slowly and do solid, dependable work. |
| What are the requirements for enrollment? |
A high school diploma/GED is required. Although the program uses realtime voice recognition, you should be able to type at least 40 wpm in order to quickly clean up your documents, and to be able to type medical files which are downloaded from FTP sites. No medical background is necessary; however, a good spelling/grammar aptitude is a plus. |
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| P.O. Box 850091 Braintree, MA 02185, Phone : 800-875-1552 |
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Copyright © 2005, REALTIME REPORTING, INC. |
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