Frequently Asked Questions

What does a medical transcriptionist do?

What qualifications will I have when I am finished with the program?

What is the length of the program?

Will I get help finding a job?

How much does training with UTTC/Exact-Med cost and what is included?

What are the benefits for military spouses? 

Are the instructors available?

What if I decide not to complete the training?

Will I be certified upon completion of the training?

Why should I choose Exact-Med/UTTC Transcription Training?

 

What does a medical transcriptionist do?

A medical transcriptionist specializes in transcribing (typing) medical records which are permanently stored in a patient’s medical record, whether it be at a hospital or clinic.  Physicians and other healthcare professionals are required to keep a written record of all patient visits and conversations, so therefore the physician will dictate information and a transcriptionist will transcribe these reports. Transcription companies, hospitals and clinics employ medical transcriptionists. Much of medical transcription is now being done through home-based employment and there are many job opportunities available.  Most of the job opportunities are available when a transcriptionist can transcribe at the acute care level (hospital level).   

What qualifications will I have when I am finished with the program?

Upon completion of our medical transcription-training program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. In the field of Medical Transcription, experience in transcription is most beneficial to finding employment. Our program offers many hours of actual hands-on medical transcription. Of most importance, is that our students are able to transcribe at the acute care level (advanced hospital dictation) upon completion of our training program.  Medical Transcription is a very “experienced” based type of industry and is a “learned skill” such as carpentry. Therefore, our students have an advantage, as they have exposure to all different types of advanced medical dictation.  With our experience as medical transcriptionists, we understand the industry and l teach from a “having been there perspective.”

What is the length of the program?

From our perspective, having been medical transcriptionists, we understand that transcription needs to be learned slowly, consistently and repetitiously.   Therefore, our motto is “One by One.”  If a student remains on task, they are projected to complete the training in approximately 12 to 15 months dedicating approximately 15 to 20 hours per week.  We offer a competency based type of program, so therefore, the student remains in the program until they have achieved the industry standards of 98% accuracy transcribing acute care dictation.  We understand that most of our students need to work while in the training program, as well as have family responsibilities, so flexibility is built into the training program.  Keep in mind that learning through repetition and building momentum is the key to successful employment.  Keeping a fairly consistent training schedule will be most beneficial to you and allow you the greatest opportunities for employment.  Our program is very individualized to work with each student’s abilities.    

Will I get help finding a job?

We understand that getting your first job shortly after completion of a training program is the key to success in medical transcription.  You will have learned a lot during the training, and the sooner you can apply those skills, the better.  As each student successfully completes the training program, an in-depth evaluation of their transcription skills, comprehension and accuracy is done.  The reality of employment is that a transcriptionist will be expected to perform at 97% to 98% accuracy, so that is our goal also.  We currently have a 100% placement rate of those students who reach the industry standards.  Keep in mind that our program is competency based, so if you reach the end of the program and need additional practice, then you will re-enter the program (no additional cost) and keep working towards the goal of 98% accuracy.  As long as we have a willing student who is showing progress, we will continue to work with you.  Exact-Med has long been established in the industry and our employers are very pleased with the quality of our newly trained transcriptionists. Bottom line -- our transcriptionists are ready for employment.   

How much does training with Exact-Med/UTTC cost and what is included?

We believe that having the tools of the trade makes our students successful.  You will receive:

• Dorland's Medical Dictionary
• Structure and Function of the Body textbook
• Structure & Function Workbook
• Language of Medicine textbook/workbook
• Blue Book of Grammar & Punctuation
• Pathophysiology for Healthcare Professions textbook
• Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology
• AHIMA Best Practices at www.ahima.org
• A Word Book in Pathology & Lab Medicine
• Pharmaceutical Word Book (most recent edition available)
• Mosby’s Survival Guide to Medical Abbreviations
• AAMT Book of Style
• The Surgical Word Book
• Stedman’s Smartype

Several of these books are Medical transcription reference books, which you will use in employment.  You will have a great start on building your medical transcription library.  As you advance in the program and are certain that medical transcription is a career for you, we encourage you to continuously add to your library.  We will assist you in choosing books that will be beneficial for both the training as well as employment. 

The training material is on loan to you via a security deposit of $100, which will be returned to you once all training material has been returned to the Exact-Med office. 

Breakdown of the program costs is as follows:  $3800.00 + books & software - billed in four installments.   

• Phase 1 (Anatomy, Medical Terminology and English)
  $950 tuition - $195 books estimate

• Phase 2 (Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Beginning Medical Transcription)
  $950 tuition, $600 books & software estimate, $100 training material deposit

• Phase 3 (Pathophysiology, Pharmacology & Intermediate Medical Transcription)
  $950 tuition 
  • (Through November 2008, the US Dept. of Labor has funds available to students who reach phase 3.  These are valued at $1500 and available to all students once the student reaches phase 3.  A FAFSA MUST BE COMPLETE AND ON FILE AT THE UTTC FINANCIAL AID OFFICE). 

• Phase 4 (Medicolegal Issues and Advanced Medical Transcription )
  $950 tuition

What are the benefits for military spouses? 

We feel that our military personnel and spouses deserve a big "thank you" for all of their sacrifices.  For all of those who enroll through the "Military Spouse Initiative" which is a collaborative effort between the Dept. of Labor, Dept of Defense and the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity - the cost of all books will be covered.  This is an estimated $800 discount.  Please contact us for more information:  1-866-556-5327  or  rbecker@uttc.edu

For more information on this program, refer to: 

www.lifetransformed.org

www.operationbreakfree.com

 

Are the instructors available?

Yes!!! Most definitely!!!  We take a personal interest in our students and we are not a success until our students are a success.   

We employ:

• Two medical transcription instructors 
• A registered nurse with 25+ years experience who teaches from a hands-on nursing perspective
• An on-line career counselor to keep students motivated and offer support.
• An administrative assistant (to keep all of us organized)

We offer our personal support and commitment to each and every student.  We do not consider ourselves successful until our students are.

What if I decide not to complete the training?

Exact-Med/UTTC is obligated to abide by the laws pertaining to refunds as in place by the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education for Vocational and Technical Education.   A prorated refund policy will apply.

Will I be certified upon completion of the training?

This is a very common question.  You will receive a “Certificate of Completion” from Exact-Med/UTTC; however the credentials of a Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) are reserved only for those who have been successful in employment 2+ years having transcribed acute care (highest level) of medical dictation.  The CMT examination is offered by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity.  For more information, please go to the website of AHDI at www.ahdionline.org. 

AHDI has recently put together a Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) examination.  This examination will give credentials to those who have less than 2 years of experience.  It is recommended that each transcriptionist seek the RMT credentials within the first two years of employment and then test for the CMT credentials.  These credentials are important as it shows a potential employer that you are a transcriptionist who has advanced skills.

Why should I choose Exact-Med/UTTC Transcription Training?

We have developed our training program from the industry perspective backwards as we have been medical transcriptionists and know what the industry requires.  The general public is unaware of the depth that a medical transcriptionist needs to be trained in order to be successful in employment.  Just as there are different levels of nursing (clinic vs. ICU), there are different levels of medical transcription (basic vs. advanced).  We train at the advanced level.  Therefore your employment opportunities are greatly increased once you are able to transcribe at this advanced level. As we are competency based, you remain in the program until you achieve the industry standards, at which time we will assist you in employment.

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