Medical Transcription Technology

  What is Medical Transcription Technology?

Medical transcriptionists listen to audio recordings from physicians and other health care professionals that note diagnoses of patient ailments and courses of treatment. They transcribe notes into the appropriate format to become part of the patients' medical records and edit the notes for format, proper terminology and grammar.

Often, medical professionals use abbreviations or technical jargon, which transcriptionists must be able to expand upon to ensure the accuracy of patient and health-care facility records. Transcriptionists must be medical-language specialists and be familiar with patient assessment, therapeutic procedures, diagnoses and prognoses. In addition to transcribing letters, reports and the like, they may have other clerical duties.

  Success Factors

Professionals in this field are detail oriented and have excellent written communication skills. In addition, they are proficient at keyboarding and transcription skills and can work independently.

  Career Possibilities

According to the latest Occupational Outlook Handbook and the American Hospital Association, demand for medical transcriptionists is expected to increase rapidly with growth in the need for health care and the industries that provide it. Growing numbers of medical transcriptionists will be needed to amend patient records, edit for grammar and check for medical discrepancies in dictation. Because of these needs, many employers prefer to hire transcriptionists who have completed college course work in the medical transcription area.

  Majoring in Medical Transcription Technology

With the ever-changing work environment, many people are choosing to work out of their homes. In Paul and Sarah Edwards' book, "Work at Home," medical transcription is one of the leading home businesses. A college degree in medical transcription is an important credential for those workers choosing to start their own home business.

  Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the Course Applicability System (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

FRESHMAN YEAR

Course Name		Credits
English Composition I, II		6
Behavioral Science		3
Business English		3
Document Formatting		3
Document Production		3
Business Communications		3
Anatomical Medical Terminology I, II, III		9
Medical Transcription I, II		6
Fundamentals of Word Processing		3
Microcomputer Office Applications		3
Pharmacology Terminology		3
Medical Front Office Procedures		3
Voice Recognition Technology		3
Total		51

 

SOPHOMORE YEAR

Course Name		Credits
Social Sciences		9
Intermediate Composition		3
Business Math		3
Medical Transcription III, IV		6
Management of Office Systems		3
Medical Topics I, II		6
Web Page Coding		3
Medical Office Ethics		3
Seminar III, IV or Electives		6
OIT Portfolio		1
Electives		6
Total		49

  Special Programs

An internship program, designed to provide an opportunity for on-the-job training, is available as an elective for full-time, second-year students.

  Admission Requirements

Open Admission

Requirements:

• Keyboarding speed of 45 wpm
• RWC placement test
• The grade of "C" or above in all medical, transcription and office information technology courses is required.

  Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.