Medical Transcription GES 113 » 240 hours

1. What does an MT do?

A medical transcriptionist converts the spoken word to the written word, thereby creating patient medical records. Since these are legal documents subject to subpoena, it’s important that the transcriptionist conform to a high standard of accuracy. It's also important for medical transcriptionists to maintain the highest standards of confidentiality in regard to their work.

2. How do I find a job? Will ed2go help me find a job? How do I get a job without experience? How can I get started working from home?

Medical transcription jobs are available. It's sometimes hard to get a foot in that first door, as it is in any field, but it's certainly not impossible.

Here are some suggestions:  

• Have business cards printed, and update your resume once you've completed the program.
• ed2go instructors will help when possible. Much depends on the student's location, but we do have limited resources we can use.
• You'll be referred to the nearest professional association for networking possibilities.
• Your ed2go facilitator can be used as a reference.
• Your education may take the place of experience in some instances and may land you an entry-level position.
• You can also apply for an internship or a mentored position.

Many students get into medical transcription so they can work from home. As a medical transcriptionist, you can work from home as employees, as independent contractors, or as business owners. It can be as simple as asking your neighborhood physician if he or she needs some work done, or it can be as complicated as applying to one of the several national transcription firms that contracts work out from all over the United States. In today's global arena, medical transcriptionists can work in several other countries. Either your professional association or your ed2go facilitator would be a good resource for information on working in other countries.

3. Can I register for programs if I am an international student?

Yes, because ed2go programs are online you never have to actually travel to the school. Most schools offer telephone or online registration. Locate a school for more registration information.

4. How much time should I spend on the program? What is the time frame? How does this program compare to other programs?

The Medical Transcription Program is a 180-day, self-paced program with extensions available if you need more time to complete the program work. It usually takes about 240 hours. ed2go allows you to move at your own pace. The books and equipment are all included in your registration fee.

5. How much does an MT make a year?

A medical transcriptionist's salary is regional. You might survey hospitals, clinics, and physician's offices in your area for an hourly rate or a yearly rate. You might attend your local professional association meeting and ask for salary information. You might also check with local employment agencies for their input.

While many medical transcriptionists work by the hour, many others work on production. You can also combine the two, and work by the hour with incentive pay awarded for a particular page count, line count, or word count. There is no average number of pages, lines, or words transcribed per hour. Each employer who utilizes this method sets their own average. The bottom line is this: Quality always wins out over quantity.

6. How do I become a certified MT? After completing the program, do I have to get certified other than from the school?

Once you complete your program, your school will provide a certificate of completion, which is standard. This is usually all that’s necessary to get an entry-level job. If you want to be a Certified Medical Transcriptionist, however, you'll want to check with the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity Web site for details. This is the professional association for medical transcriptionists, and they can provide information about AHDI certification and about the career field.

7. How do I register? How much do the programs cost?

Each student must register with a university or college that offers our programs. ed2go doesn't offer programs directly to the public. We work in partnership with colleges and universities nationwide. Our partner colleges set the prices for the programs they offer. You must locate a school and contact them for cost and registration information.

8. Why do I have to locate a school?

ed2go does not offer programs directly to the public. We work in partnership with colleges and universities nationwide. ed2go is the content developer for the program, but the schools actually offer the programs and provide the certificates upon completion.

9. Do I ever have go to the school I register with?

Not in most cases. Most of our partner schools offer telephone or online registration. All of our programs are delivered entirely online, so you never have to go to a class or travel to the school. Locate a school and contact them for more registration options.

10. What if there is not a school in my area that offers the program I want to take?

You can register with the school that is closest to your zip code (even if it is far away). Since ed2go programs are online, you never have to actually travel to the school. Most schools offer telephone or online registration. Locate a school for more registration information.

11. How long does it take to complete a program?

All of our programs are self-paced and open enrollment. You can start and finish the program at your own pace.  Upon registering, you're given an initial six months to complete this program.  Should you need more time beyond the six months, an extension of six months is available at no additional cost. 

12. Do I have to buy additional materials?

All materials are included. The cost of materials is covered by your tuition. ed2go ships all materials via UPS ground service upon registration.

13. Can I get financial assistance?

ed2go courses are non-credit courses, so they do not qualify for federal aid. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Locate a school for more information on this. Simply click here to request a loan information form.

14. What happens when I complete the program?

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school with which you registered. You must obtain a final passing grade of 70% or greater to be awarded a certificate.

15. Am I guaranteed a job?

ed2go programs will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. We do not provide direct job placement services, but our instructors will help you build your resume and are available to give advice on finding your first job. Instructors will also be available to use as a professional reference upon completion of the program. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

16. Who will be my instructor?

Each student is paired up with a facilitator for one-on-one interaction. The facilitator will be available (via email or phone) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.

17. What do I have to have in order to take an online program, and what are the system requirements?

In order to take our online programs, you must have access to a computer and the Internet (a normal dial-up connection is fine). You can access the program contents from any Web-enabled computer. There are no necessary plug-ins. You do not have to use the same computer to log-in to the program every time. We recommend that you have a word-processing program (Microsoft Word is best) and the latest version of Internet Explorer.

18. Can this program be taken on a Mac?

The required work for this program cannot be completed using a Mac; it’s recommended that students use a PC.

19. How can I get more information on the program?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, please feel free to contact us via LIVE chat (click the button below). If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please feel free to send us a question using the Ask a question button below. You may also call us at 1-866-441-5454. We will answer your questions promptly.

20. When can I start the program?

Our programs are all open enrollment. You can register and start the program as soon as you are ready. Locate a school for registration information.