About Medical Transcription PowerPoint Presentation

Lea Sims, CMT, FAAMTKim Buchanan, CMT, FAAMT

Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity

Translating from oral to written form the record of a person’s encounter with a healthcare professional

AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org

• Strong English grammar• Compelling interest in the medical field• Superior research skills• Competent use of the computer• Keen listening skills• Fine attention to detail• Ability to sit (and concentrate) for long periods of time


Doctor’s offices HospitalsMedical schools Legal officesInsurance companies Veterinary officesRehab facilities Radiology departmentsPathology departments ClinicsLaboratories Medical librariesResearch centers Medical transcription companies


Quality Assurance Specialist EditorSupervisor TeacherManager Department HeadMentor/Trainer Business Owner


Find a QUALITY medical transcription training program

•taught by qualified instructors, certified in the MT field

•based on the AHDI Model Curriculum, 3rd edition

•with access to a minimum of 30 hours of authentic physician dictation

•incorporating the Book of Style, 2nd edition

•with an advisory board that includes CMTs

•that offers job placement assistance

•that emphasizes excellence in medical transcription training in their advertising (rather than focusing on working from home)


Approval Committee for Certificate Programs (ACCP) – collaboration of AHDI and AHIMA

Evaluates transcription programs and offers approval to those that meet a strict list of criteria

Approval good for 3 years

ACCP votes quarterly


Are supported by industry employers

Have a proven track record of employable graduates

Have students that pass the RMT exam (83% pass rate)


Approved programs • average 9 to 18 months in length• average approximately $3000 in cost• provide a minimum of 40 hours overall of authentic dictation• adhere to the Model Curriculum • encourage participation in your professional organization (AHDI)


To narrow down your options, ask yourself these questions:

Are you disciplined enough to study from home, or do you need to be in the classroom to focus?

Do you need deadlines, or would you rather work at your own pace? (the difference between open enrollment and seasonal enrollment programs)

Do you prefer direct contact with an instructor, or is email communication okay?


What is their student:teacher ratio

Are the teachers experienced MTs?

What kind of feedback from your teacher can you expect?

Do they accept financial aid or offer a payment plan?

What is included in the quoted cost of the program?

What equipment do you need if you’re studying online?


Level 1 exam geared toward recent graduates and transcriptionists with limited experience

Two-part exam: multiple choice and practical

Successful candidates earn the RMT credential – good for 3 years


Online Prep Assessment Courses

RMT Review Guide published by Stedmans

Book of Style Student Workbook published by Stedmans

Cost of exam: $120 AHDI members, $200 nonmembers


National program recognized by the Department of Labor

Eligible: Graduates of approved schools who earn the RMT

Apprentices paired with employers for 2-year commitment

Apprentices paid an hourly wage that increases over the course of the commitment

Apprentices receive on-the-job training in acute care work


Expect to work full-time until you’ve gained experience

Don’t expect to find the perfect job right out of school (though it does happen sometimes)

Many employers hire graduates of approved schools right away

Many employers hire RMTs right away


Consider purchasing:Getting Your Foot in the Door: Two Years’ Experience Not RequiredA Career In Medical Transcription

E-books available through AHDI - $35

Full of valuable advice about the industry and finding your first job


Employees can expect their employer to take taxes out of their paychecks. Some offer benefits like paid time off, health insurance, and even 401-k accounts.

Independent contractors own their own businesses. They are responsible for paying their own taxes. If they take time off from work, they don’t get paid.

Some companies hire independent contractors to work for them.


BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS – www.bls.gov/oco/ocos271.htm

“medical transcriptionists had median hourly earnings of $14.40 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.17 and $17.06. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $10.22, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $20.15. .”

ADVANCE MAGAZINE – 2007 Salary Survey – www.advanceforhim.com

“MTs reported an average salary of $27,829, up from 2006's $25,408.. “

“The number of certified medical transcriptionists (CMTs) rose about 1 percent from last year, and the pay for CMTs grew from $31,949 last year to a $37,864 in 2007.”


Level 2 exam – geared toward transcriptionists with at least 2 years of acute care (hospital) experience

Two-part exam: multiple choice and practical

Successful candidates earn the CMT credential – good for 3 years

CMTs earn a minimum of 30 CECs every 3 years to maintain their credential


Online Prep Assessment Courses

CMT Review Guide published by Stedmans

Cost of exam: $195 AHDI members, $275 nonmembers


Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a need for 5.3 million healthcare workers

Supply not keeping up with demand

MTIA predicts 25,000 current openings

Aging population will put incredible pressure on our unprepared healthcare system


FRONT END: Physician dictates into a computer program, a draft copy of the report appears on the screen, physician edits the report and then signs off on it. It goes into the patient’s record.

Pros: Record available as soon as doctor dictates, no transcription costs

Cons: Not cost-effective for physicians to spend their time editing, no “checks and balances,” physicians are resisting


BACK END: Physician dictates into a computer program, draft copy of report sent to transcription for editing, transcriptionist edits report and sends back to doctor, doctor signs off, report goes into record.

Pros: Provides “checks and balances,” physicians don’t have to edit, editing can be faster than transcribing

Cons: Some physicians are not good candidates for speech rec (ESL, poor dictators, etc.), can be expensive to implement


Physicians use laptop computers to enter patient information directly into patient’s medical record using drop-down menus and small text fields.

Pros: Information immediately available and in the record, no transcription costs

Cons: Expensive, physicians act as transcriptionists, no “checks and balances,” relies on technology (which doesn’t always work properly), does not allow for “narrative” which tells the patient’s story, some physicians are resisting


- for professionals willing to commit to lifelong learning- for professionals willing to embrace standards and credentialing- for professionals looking for a career and not just a job



Lea Sims, CMT, FAAMT – [email protected] of Communications and Publications, AHDI

Kim Buchanan, CMT, FAAMT – [email protected] of Credentialing and Education, AHDI

AHDI – Association for Healthcare Documentation IntegrityWEBSITE: www.ahdionline.org


About Medical Transcription PowerPoint Presentation

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