How to Train to Become a Medical Transcriptionist

The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity, started in 1978, was designed to be "part of an effort to achieve recognition for the medical transcription profession," according to the AHDI website. It issues two certifications to medical transcriptionists: Registered Medical Transcriptionist and Certified Medical Transcriptionist. The RMT and CMT are voluntary certifications; not all medical transcriptionists are trained to attain them. While some medical transcriptionists are trained on the job, certified transcriptionists earn more money and have better job opportunities.

• 1

  Visit the AHDI website. Review the list of approved training programs listed under "Education/Training" on the homepage's menu bar. Choose an approved training program that prepares you for the RMT certification exam. Also, select the type of program that meets your learning needs. Some schools offer online courses, while others have campus-based programs (see Resources).

• 2

  Enroll in and complete the course you choose. Some courses can last around a year, and others take about two years. Courses include anatomy, English grammar and punctuation, legal issues involving healthcare documentation and medical terminology.

• 3

  Register with AHDI to take the entry-level certification exam to be a RMT. Registration information is available on the AHDI website. As of October 2010, a $10 eligibility screening fee applies. You do not have to complete a transcriptionist training course to be eligible for the exam, but professional work experience requirements do apply. RMTs must complete an online course and exam within their three-year certification cycle to be recertified as an RMT. To move on to be a CMT, the RMT will need two years of work experience.