If you enjoy working in administration with a medical specialty, you might think about earning an associate's degree in medical reception and transcription. This article looks at the typical classes you would take as part of a degree program, and how an associate's degree can benefit you when looking for transcriptionist positions.
What Courses Might I Take?
Typical courses you might encounter in an associate's degree program for aspiring medical receptionists and transcriptionists include proofreading and editing, medical terminology, methods of communication, medical transcription technology, keyboarding, document processing, human anatomy and human relations. You also may have the opportunity to participate in an internship or practicum at a school-partnered physician's office or other healthcare facilities.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Common Classes</b></td><td>Keyboarding, medical terminology, transcription technology, human relations</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Course Format</b></td><td>On campus or online</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Duties</b></td><td>Greeting patients, scheduling appointments, transcribing reports, handling correspondence</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Certification</b></td><td>Exam given by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI)</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $35,270 (<i>for medical transcriptionists</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 2% decline (<i>for medical transcriptionists</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatOnlineOpportunitiesExist">What Online Opportunities Exist?</h3><p>Some schools give you the opportunity to complete your entire medical transcriptionist associate's degree program online. These programs typically are delivered asynchronously, which means you can access course materials at your convenience. Some online programs include an internship component, which you must complete in a live setting.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatWouldTheJobEntail">What Would the Job Entail?</h3><p>The primary duty of a medical transcriptionist is listening to recorded reports and statements made by medical personnel and transcribing them into written form. You also might perform receptionist duties, such as greeting patients, answering telephones, handling correspondence and scheduling appointments.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheBenefitsOfEarningThisDegree">What Are the Benefits of Earning this Degree?</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there is no postsecondary education requirement to work as a medical transcriptionist; however, many employers prefer to hire medical transcriptionists who have completed a formal training program. Options can include 2-year Associate of Applied Science programs in medical transcription as well as 1-year certificate programs in medical transcription. Graduates of programs approved by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) might qualify for voluntary certification in the field.</p>
