Medical Transcriptionist

Medical Transcription deals with interpreting and electronic encoding of patient assessment, therapeutic procedures, medical history and treatment from hospitals and other medical institutions abroad.

Tasks

• Transforms dictated medical reports clearly and accurately into written computerized records for purposes of reference, archives and legal proof of medical advice;
• Transcribe, proofread, and edit complex medical reports for a broad range of clinical specialties.

Basic Educational and Training Requirements

College degree holder with additional training in a Medical Transcription Course.

Skills and Competency Requirements

• Must have a medical knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology (i.e. drug names, dosages and us ages);
• Be familiar with medical terminologies;
• Proficient in writing (i.e. grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence contraction) and listening.

Characteristics and Physical Attributes

• Dependable, Excellent attitude (i.e. flexible, patient, conscientious, resourceful, organized and disciplined).

Compensation

Medical Transcriptionists earn anywhere from P10,000 per month to P70,000 per month depending on their hours of work, typing speed and type of employment.

Prospects for Career Advancement

A Medical Transcriptionist with 2-3 years experience can qualify for the position of Editor after undergoing additional training in an Editor course. He/She must also possess supervisory, coaching and leadership skills. An editor receives an average of P15,000 - 20,000 per month in an office setting.

Types of Employment

Medical Transcriptionist can work in various settings: in an office; in their homes as subcontractors; or as direct service providers to doctors and other medical practitioners.

Employment Opportunities/Prospects

The Philippines is seen as the next "destination of choice" in medical transcription outsourcing. From 2007 - 2010, the Medical Transcription Industry Association of the Philippines, Inc. (MTIAPI) projects a total of 75,675 new jobs.

Graduates with medical and allied sciences background including career shifters who graduated from a Medical Transcription Training Course are the prospects to form the pool of workers to fill the new jobs to be created.

Training Courses Offered/Cost of Training*

• Training for Medical/Allied Medical Graduates
  Duration - 3 months
  Estimated Cost - Ranges from P18,000 to P22,500
• Training for Non-Medical/Non-Allied Medical Graduates
  Duration - 6 months
  Estimated Cost - Ranges from P24,000 to P35,000

Scholarships Available

• PGMA Scholarship Program
  Duration - 3 months
  Offered by : TESDA Accredited Med Trans Companies
• E3 Scholarship Program
  Duration - 1 year
  Offered by : International School for Medical Transcription, Cebu City

Schools Offering Medical Transcription Courses

• American Academy of Medical Transcription (AAMT)
  1705 Centerpoint Bldg. Julia Vargas St. cor. Garnet Rd. Ortigas Center, Pasig City
  Tel. # (632)633-4612/634-4976
• Asian College of Science and Technology (ACSAT)
  1013 ACSAT Center Bldg., Aurora Blvd., Quezon City
  Tel. # (632)913-2604/912-3236/39 loc 217/218
• Legacy Skills Development Center, Inc.
  2F Fabricare Bldg., Sucat Road, Paranaque City
  Tel. # (632)820-1575/820-7998
• MTC Academy
  405 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City
  Tel. # (632)890-7319/7372

* Based on 2007 rates

Source: Bureau of Local Employment, Manila, Philippines.