 | Online Program: $2,000-$5,000 |
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 | Technical School or Community College: $2,500-$12,000 |
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| Medical transcription deals with the process of transferring reports dictated by medical professionals into text format. Medical transcription classes generally take four to 18 months to complete and are taught both online and in person. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Taking classes in person through a technical or community college is one option for students. Medical transcription classes typically cost $2,500 -$12,000 total for tuition. Residency plays a role in higher tuition costs. For example, Everett Community College charges $3,741 for medical transcription courses for residents, $11,137 for non-residents of Washington state. Seminole State, in Florida, costs $2,920 for residents, $11,566 for non-residents of the state.
- Medical transcription classes can also be taken online to avoid non-resident costs. Online programs vary -- some offer live-streamed, interactive virtual classrooms while other programs are self-paced and lessons are self-motivated. Most online medical transcription programs cost $2,000 -$5,000. A&H Training Corp., for example, charges $4,000 for a medical transcription degree and certificate. Career Step offers online training for $2,095.
What should be included: | - Medical transcription programs should include instruction in medical terminology, anatomy and training in medical transcription.
- Training should include use of medical transcription devices including word processing software, medical-related software and a dictation machine.
- Some schools include membership to Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity, the largest organization representing medical transcriptionists, with tuition.
Additional costs: | - Transcription foot pedals, which offers foot-activated stop and go functions, cost from $50 -$150. Most come with USB cord connections, although some are wireless devices. Amazon provides a selection of transcription pedals.
- Medical transcriptionists can become both registered and certified through the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity, depending on levels of experience in the field. Testing to become a registered transcriptionist costs $150 -$230 depending on membership status and how the test is administered, certification testing costs $150 -$280. Both tests require an additional $10 eligibility processing fee.
Discounts: | - For degree-based programs, such as those at junior or community colleges, financial aid is available to qualified students. Students can apply for federal financial aid online.
- The American Health Information Management Association awards scholarships annually for students seeking careers in health information management.
- A&H Training Corp. provides a 20% discount to military members and their spouses.
Shopping for medical transcription training: | - The Association of Healthcare Documentation Integrity provides a comparison guide of schools that provide transcription training across the country.
- The American Health Information Management Association provides useful links for prospective students seeking an accredited degree program and students seeking employment as a medical transcriptionist.
- Health Information Careers provides tips for finding an accredited program.
- There are many reputable companies that offer legitimate and rigorous medical training, but be cautious about programs which makes promises of guaranteed jobs or at-home work that sound too good to be true. HomeWithTheKids.com describes common medical transcription/billing/coding scams.
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Article updated June 2011 |
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