Medical Transcription Accreditation

Employers searching for medical transcriptionists to hire have very specific ideas of what they are looking for in a medical transcriptionist. Experience or formal education from a good school are the only two things that will get you a job in the medical transcription industry, unless you have a good inside connection with a health care physician or manager.

Employers prefer to hire transcriptionists who have completed postsecondary training in medical transcription offered by many vocational schools, community colleges and online learning programs. The benefit to taking your medical transcription training through a self-paced online course is that you can complete the coursework in your own time rather than according to a pre-determined schedule. You will learn the essentials of medical transcription work, including coursework in anatomy, medical terminology, legal issues relating to healthcare documentation and English grammar and punctuation. These courses are not always absolutely necessary, but are highly recommended.

If you have worked in the medical field, such as in nursing or medical secretary work, then the basics will be there and you will be very far ahead of the game. However, this doesn't mean you should skip the transcriptionist course. A refresher course and training is looked upon favorably by future employers.

Though formal accreditation is not required for medical transcription programs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11, "the Approval Committee for Certificate Programs (ACCP)—established by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) and the American Health Information Management Association—offers voluntary accreditation for medical transcription programs. Although voluntary, the completion of an ACCP-approved program may be required for transcriptionists seeking certification."

Regardless of whether or not you are medically trained or thus previously employed, sign up for a medical transcription course. The refresher will do you good.