Medical Transcription

Education and Training Needed to Work as a Medical Transcriptionist

You will need to complete formal medical transcription training and earn a certificate or associate degree program from a community college or vocational school. Courses in a medical transcription program include:

• Medical terminology
• Anatomy and physiology
• Legal issues within the health care industry
• Typing and transcription
• English Grammar

Finding the Right Medical Transcription Training Program

Many community colleges and vocational schools offer programs, both online and in class, so it’s important to contact each school to find out what training option will work best for you.

Do I need to be Certified

Certification is not required however some medical transcriptionists choose to become certified as this credential distinguishes them from those without the credential, and raises a potential employer’s confidence in hiring them.

You can become certified by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity, who offers the Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) and the Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist (CHDS) certifications.

• The RHDS Certification (previously known as Registered Medical Transcriptionist or RMT) is for recent graduates with less than 2 years of experience and who work in a single specialty environment, such as a clinic or a doctor’s office.
• The CHDS Certification (previously known as Certified Medical Transcriptionist or CMT. You must hold the RHDS designation to be eligible to write the exam for CHDS certification. CHDS candidates must also have at least 2 years of experience in acute care as well as other medical specialties.
• To maintain certification, medical transcriptionists must complete continuing education requirements every 3 years.

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics April 9, 2021