Medical Transcription Specialist

Overview

If you want to work in the healthcare field, and attention to detail is your strong suit, consider becoming a Medical Transcription Specialist. It’s a very responsible position and can provide you with a highly rewarding career.

One of the benefits of being a Medical Transcription Specialist is flexibility – you can work in a hospital, another professional medical environment or from home.

To find out more about the job and Stenberg College’s Diploma program for Medical Transcription Specialists, read on... 

Typical Job Duties

Following, are examples of some typical job duties:

  • Transcribing recorded or written material such as X-ray reports, physician notes, patient histories, and discharge summaries
  • Verifying the accuracy of patient information
  • Ensuring that records are formatted properly, depending upon the needs of the institution
  • Checking spelling and grammar
  • Providing quality assurance

Potential Employers

As a Medical Transcription Specialist, you’ll find opportunities for employment in a:

  • Hospital
  • Physician’s office
  • Insurance company
  • Mental health centre
  • Private healthcare practice, such as a cosmetic surgery or private surgery clinic
  • Other agencies that process healthcare information

After graduation you could also consider self-employment options that may be attractive.

Top Reasons to Choose Stenberg

  1. Skilled Medical Transcriptionist Specialists are highly sought-after by employers.
  1. Stenberg College’s Medical Transcription Specialist graduates have many employment options in places such as hospitals and clinics, as well as the possibility of telecommuting from home.
  1. Our Medical Transcription Specialist program, along with continuing education, can lead to multiple career paths, such as academic transcription and editing.
  1. The program is rigorous. After graduating, you’ll be well-prepared and work-ready, confident of being able to handle anything that comes your way.
  1. Each instructor is an expert in the content area being taught.  Instructors have real world experience, so they can draw upon their own extensive work scenarios to broaden your education.
  1. The program is regularly reviewed and updated in consultation with industry to ensure that it meets the needs and expectations of employers.
  1. More than simply learning a set of technical skills, our programs inspire and enhance personal growth and development.  Stenberg College is committed to empowerment through education and ensures that students have the fundamental skills to excel in their program and to succeed in their life, both personally and professionally.
  1. In its commitment to student success, Stenberg College offers its students an unparalleled range of support services including free ESL programs, study and life skills coaching, typing tutorials and campus life events. 
  1. Our Career and Graduate Services staff members organize industry presentations on a quarterly basis.  Recruiters come and speak directly to students prior to graduation.  We are committed to helping you find employment immediately upon graduation. 

Speak to your Program Advisor for more details.

Wages and Career Outlook

Wage and career outlook information is difficult to predict. Unlike other occupations, opportunities in healthcare are driven by current government policy rather than the business cycle.

Use the following sites to obtain more job information. The related national occupation classification number – a system used to group jobs – is “1244”. Please realize that these figures are based on groupings of a large number of related jobs. Wages and career outlook may differ due to your education level, job location, and the type of employer you work for.

The following list shows some other sources for career research. By no means is this a comprehensive list, but it is a place to start:

Is this Program for You?

It is if you:

  • are able to concentrate on routine tasks for long periods of time
  • have good English skills
  • are a keen listener
  • have intermediate typing skills and are committed to improving your speed and accuracy
  • feel comfortable using computers and learning new software applications
  • are able to maintain the confidentiality of medical records that contain sensitive personal information 

Program Admission Requirements

  • Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent
  • Passing Entrance Examination with a score of 70% or more (Canadian Adult Achievement Test:  Reading, Spelling & Math)
  • Successful completion of a short written essay
  • Passing Verbal Test of English (if English is a Second Language)
  • Passing formal entrance interview with a score of 70% or more
  • Minimum typing speed of 30 wpm (60 wpm is required for graduation)

Additional Program Requirements
Students must provide the following to their Program Advisor prior to program start:

  • Acceptable criminal record check
  • Acceptable medical examination report
  • Negative TB test report or clear chest X-ray
  • Immunizations as required by industry at time of application

Duration and Financing

Duration: 46 weeks including a practicum

Financing: You could be eligible for HRDC funding, government student loans and other financing options; the Stenberg College Financial Aid Officer will be happy to provide further assistance.

Additional Certification

The program also includes essential industry-related training and certification in:

First Aid & CPR Level One
You’ll receive certificates in both basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Program Courses

Orientation and Student Success Skills
This course will provide a comprehensive orientation to Stenberg College and the program you have enrolled in.  As with all new things, there will be some challenges to overcome; however, with this course, you will become familiar with your new environment and the resources available for your use.  You will gain effective learning and study strategies and will participate in life skills exercises that teach communication, accountability, teamwork, self-awareness and build understanding of the impact you have on others.  Students in the MTS Program will also be introduced to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and to WorkSafeBC.

Keyboarding
This course is designed to introduce students to the Windows environment and word processing and typing programs. You’ll focus on the development and maintenance of accurate keyboarding skills and work to maintain the minimum typing requirement set by the program.

Computer Fundamentals
You’ll be introduced to – and gain skill working in – the Windows environment, as well as Outlook, Internet Explorer, and Excel. Special emphasis will be placed on using MS Word proficiently.

Medical Terminology
This intensive, fast paced course is an introduction to the world of medical terminology and is designed to provide the foundation for all subsequent courses.  You’ll become familiar with various medical word parts, become fluent in the pronunciation and spelling of these parts, and become proficient with the building and breaking down of medical terms to determine meaning. It’s essential for all healthcare professionals to be able to function effectively and safely in a medical environment; therefore, you must be competent and accurate in the use of medical terminology on the job.

Anatomy/Physiology/Pathology
This course will cover body systems and sense organs. Teaching about each system will include: an overview of that system’s general function; system parts, their specific function and location; relationship with other systems; and common pathologies including lab and diagnostic tests, signs and symptoms and prognosis of those pathologies.

Pharmacology
This course will introduce you to pharmaceutical terms and regulations that govern the drug industry. You’ll gain the knowledge necessary to communicate information between patients, pharmacists and physicians.  Emphasis is on the classifications, spelling, and pronunciation of the most commonly ordered prescription medications. The study of related abbreviations, symbols, routes of administration and systems of measurement used in prescriptions will also be discussed. 

Transcription
You’ll learn and apply the principles of accurate medical transcription, gaining experience and practice in the transcription of a variety of medical reports from dictated medical procedures. An emphasis will be placed on speed and accuracy, as well as proofreading skills and the effective use of reference materials.

Introduction to Hospital Information Systems
This course has been added to the Medical Transcription Specialist Program based on industry request.  Students will gain a broader knowledge base so that they are able to understand their roles and responsibilities within the health care team.    Students will become familiar with health care information systems, including computer systems, terminology and procedures used in various hospital departments.

Keyboarding II – Intensive Speed and Accuracy
In our second keyboarding course, you will participate in medical timed writings and speed drills using the computer. The goal of this course is for you to increase your typing speed and reduce your number or errors. At the end of this course, you must demonstrate a minimum typing speed of 45 net wpm on a five minute timed test. Please note: In addition to this course, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 2.5 hours per week performing speed and accuracy drills during set lab times.

Transcription II
This module will allow you to apply your word processing and other computer skills to process documents from dictated medical reports. It will also include topics such as confidentiality and ethics, purpose and content of medical reports, medical report formats, and the rules of medical transcription. You’ll be taught how to use reference materials to verify dictation. Grammar, punctuation, accuracy, and speed will also be stressed. Some emphasis will be put on transcribing medical correspondence.

Keyboarding III – Intensive Speed and Accuracy
By the end of the third keyboarding course, you must demonstrate a minimum typing speed of 50 net wpm on a five minute timed test. Please note: In addition to this course, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 2.5 hours per week performing speed and accuracy drills during set lab times.

Introduction to Hospital Information Systems & the Hospital Environment  
You’ll get an overview of the registration outpatient and inpatient procedures and be introduced to abbreviations of registration categories. You’ll gain an understanding of computer terminology discharge codes and triage assessments.

Medical Communication
This course promotes the concept of self-awareness as a prerequisite to understanding others. You’ll learn active listening skills and will be introduced to phonetics to enhance your comprehension of ESL dictators and dictators with accents. Grammar and punctuation will also be covered.

Keyboarding IV – Intensive Speed and Accuracy
By the conclusion of the fourth keyboarding course, you must demonstrate a minimum typing speed of 55 net wpm on a five minute timed test. Please note: In addition to this course, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 2.5 hours per week performing speed and accuracy drills during set lab times.

Medical Transcription and Editing
This module will prepare you to transcribe history and special reports of various specialty areas using transcription guidelines, proper medical abbreviations, drug names, medical terminology, and appropriate reference materials. You’ll learn surgical terminology, including the names of operative procedures, anesthetics, incisions and incision sites, dressings, instruments, and other common materials used in surgery. You’ll also begin transcribing discharge summaries. Other areas covered include preparing you to transcribe X-ray reports, CT scans, and nuclear medicine reports.

Keyboarding V – Intensive Speed and Accuracy
By the end of this, your final keyboarding course, you must demonstrate a minimum typing speed of 60 net wpm on a five minute timed test. Please note: In addition to this course, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 2.5 hours per week performing speed and accuracy drills during set lab times.

Interpersonal Skills and Professional Development (includes Career Search Strategies)
Practicing and developing your interpersonal and professional skills, you’ll acquire the knowledge and skills required to gain and keep employment. You’ll prepare a targeted resume, develop cover letters, and practice effective interview techniques and strategies. You’ll also make a job search plan, conduct a supported job search, and learn how to seek out the hidden job market.

Practicum
Your practicum will give you the opportunity to practice the skills you’ve learned in the MTS classroom, and to further develop and master those skills. This course will provide you with practicum experiences that will refine your skills to the level of competency required as a Medical Transcriptionist. 

MTS Program Review and Employment Readiness
This course focuses on developing professional career search techniques. Topics include success strategies, completing application forms, writing covering letters and resumes, and managing a successful job interview.