What the Medical Transcription Schools Won't Tell You

By Margery Hinman, CMT

 So you've decided you want to become a medical transcriptionist.  That's the easy part.  Now you're left with the daunting task of deciding which school to use for your training.  In this article, we’ll explore some of the secrets that the schools aren’t telling you – secrets that can cost you thousands of dollars if you aren’t informed ahead of time. 

For years students have had access to only one type of formal training program -- that being the classroom.  I've taught MT in the classroom through the local community college and, while effective for some, most college classes simply don't allow the flexibility and freedom most working parents need. 

A second and fast-growing method of MT training is via the Internet.  With the increased speed of the Internet nowadays and the vast resources available, MTs are being trained more thoroughly and faster than ever before.  Some of the top schools offer interactive web-based training with intelligent software programs designed to test you on certain subjects with even more practice on subjects in which you do not test well.  Not simply the text-based version online, these extensive programs combine many factors into the curriculum, thus creating what is ultimately a personalized training program.

Make sure the school you choose is licensed and has adequate credentials, such as CMT (certified) instructors, to be sure the education you receive is a quality one with professional books and references and not just something thrown together with hand-made booklets.  

Make sure you talk to the school's owner (not just a paid sales person) to get a feel for the integrity and compassion for its students.  Faculty of a quality school won't mind investing the time it takes to answer your questions and should offer you a demo of the course before you invest your money.

Concerning income, don't fall in the trap of thinking you will be able to make $50,000 a year -- your first year.  A number of the lesser quality schools will tell you that you’ll be making this your first year.  The MT career is a profession that takes years to really master, and although your starting income will be much less, you certainly can expect to make this income within a couple of years, but I've never seen newly graduated MTs do it.

One other thing other schools might not tell you is that their course is simply a syllabus combined with a lot of books.  You can buy the books most anywhere and read on your own -- you don't need a syllabus to tell you this.  What you do need, however, are certified instructors who are trained in teaching students and who will work with you until you have mastered a certain subject.  Being a CMT instructor myself, I have found numerous students who have come to us from other schools who were surprised to learn they had not mastered the previous material.  (They thought they had!) The student himself or herself is not a good judge of this.  That's why the addition of CMT instructors and a thorough ongoing testing process is invaluable to your education.

If you just want to learn to transcribe for yourself, then an average MT course may work for you, but if you want to really master the MT skills and get the best jobs out there, you need advanced training that only an experienced training program can give.

How can you tell an advanced MT training program from an ordinary one?  First, do a side-by-side comparison.  Create a chart like the one we've done below and check out the various web sites.  Don't take others' words for it -- do your own research to see what fits your needs best.

Does the program have certified instructors?  Does the school have a physician or two on its staff who will answer your medical questions?  Does the program combine textbook learning with online learning as well as individual instructor feedback?  Does the school provide an extensive hands-on forum where students, staff and mentors can meet to discuss anything you have a question about?  Are exams hand-graded and returned back to you with extensive documentation within 24 hours?  How many reports are actually hand-graded?

Is the school licensed and bonded?  A member of the Better Business Bureau?  It’s a good idea to call the Better Business Bureau for the school you’re considering to see if there are any complaints against them. 

Does the school provide technical training so you can compete in today's high-tech world of digital files?  Does the school give you software with a wav pedal and digital sound files or simply a tape player?  Do you get to keep your wav pedal when you’re finished with the program?  (Note:  Beware of the schools that give you an old-fashioned tape player that doesn’t even have a foot pedal!  This is NOT the way to learn how to transcribe.) 

Does the school provide the SUM CD training reports, and does it have extra reports for additional training where needed?  Is your enrollment individualized or are you just another one of the many students who pass by?  Does the school offer extensive laboratory and pathology training as part of the curriculum?  Is there a separate module for pharmacology? (Note:  There MUST be extensive pharmacology training to be a well-rounded MT program.)

Does the school offer extensive computer and Microsoft Word training in audio-video format at no additional charge?  With the computer being your primary tool of the job, you need to know it inside and out.  Schools that don’t include computer training with transcription training are only giving you part of the education you need to succeed.  Most especially, you’ll want to ensure your school teaches you shortcuts on the computer such as Auto Text and Auto Correct where you can type a few keys and an entire sentence pops out.  This is much like shorthand and can increase your production up to 100% or more when used correctly.  In fact, there is specific software for medical transcription for just increasing your production.  Make sure your school teaches all of this if you want to maximize your production (and your income!) on the job.  Since most jobs pay by the lines you produce, this is just smart to learn while you’re still in MT school.

Does the school provide specific “Book of Style” training which is essential to the successful MT career?  (You’ll need to know the Book of Style inside and out if you hope to pass the employment tests with the national companies to work from home.)  These are things that many of the schools DON’T offer, and if you don’t know to ask…well, you’re just out of luck!

Finally, does your school offer job placement?  Any school could point you to any number of websites where employers are advertising, but you need a bit more than that to find your first job.  What helps most of all is graduating from a school that is popular with the employers – a school where the employer KNOWS you received excellent training.  Then ask if your school does job placement for its graduates.  A great school will go the extra distance and provide this personalized service for its graduates up to AND INCLUDING cover letter and resume preparation.

These are all important questions, to be sure.  Probably the best way to find a school is to ask questions and do your homework.  Don’t be swayed by cheap prices.  Remember, a goal to make $50,000 a year is certainly feasible, but only with the proper education and guidance.  Don’t make the mistake of having to train twice.  Choose your school right the first time.   

Margery Hinman, CMT, is CEO and Director of MT Advantage Career Center, a highly specialized interactive medical transcription training program that combines computer-based training with hands-on personalized feedback from certified instructors.  A 25+ year veteran of medical transcription, Margery owned and sold two successful medical transcription services and does consulting for medical transcription service owners and educational institutions.  Visit www.mtacc.net and find out why some are calling MT Advantage Career Center the #1 premier medical transcription training program in the country.