Additional Information
Being a medical transcriptionist requires a high school diploma as well
as a specialized certificate of medical transcriptionist training from a business
school or college.
"They have to become a certified medical transcriptionist," says Carey
Silverstein. He's the director of operations for a medical transcription company.
"There are online courses available for this as well as college courses.
It typically takes one year and then they can begin doing this."
Some MTs also have a two-year associate's degree or a bachelor's degree.
Helpful subjects to study include anatomy, medical terminology, and English
grammar and punctuation. Many MT programs include supervised on-the-job experience.
After certification, medical transcriptionists must continue their education
to keep up with changes in the medical profession.
As for courses that can be taken at the high school level
to prepare for a future as a medical transcriptionist, "Typing courses are
essential, and definitely if they can take science," says Silverstein. "Maybe
basic chemistry would be very helpful, and certainly if they have anatomy
courses at school or some type of physiology course. Biology is (also) very
helpful."