Why do I need training to be an MT?

It is important in any career field to be properly trained in the industry and on the specific job you will be doing. Medical transcription is the same. Without thorough training you would be completely lost if starting a position as an MT. Preparation is the key to success. There are a lot of details, skills, and knowledge that must be gained prior to actually transcribing medical records.

There are many parts to the medical field that must be understood to work as an MT. Terminology, meaning the words used in 'medical language', is quite a hurdle, but once you pick up on the basics the rest can be looked up until memorized. Also, there are numerous specialties in medicine such as cardiology, obstetrics, radiology, and many more. Transcribing records for each of these can be very different. The terms will differ as well as the medications, treatments, and diagnosis'.

Also, there are legal implications when you are an MT. By training before attempting to work as an MT, you will be made aware of all legalities you need to know. Privacy laws, known as HIPAA, are complicated and need to be fully understood. If this portion of the medical field is not fully understood and mistakes are made in this area, it could cost you your position.  

The files that are being created by medical transcriptionists are permanent and must be accurate. There are some errors like spelling that can be overlooked to a certain extent, but using the wrong term or making a serious error can be fatal for your job and can even affect the patient. If a physician sees something incorrect on a file but does not know it is not right, they could base a treatment or diagnosis on a mistake that is not safe physically or emotionally for the patient.

Without proper training, medical transcriptionists would not be the high quality professionals that are necessary for the medical field. Working as an MT is rewarding because, ultimately, you are a part of the quality care of a patient. Without MTs, healthcare professionals would have no history of the patient recorded in front of them.