<h2 id="section---FrequentlyAskedQuestions">Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <h3 id="section---WhatKindOfProgramIsIt">What Kind of Program Is It?</h3> <p>Penn Foster's online career diploma in Medical Transcriptionist is designed to teach you how to transcribe all kinds of medical information for several types of medical data, including operative reports, diagnostic test results, and referral letters. The program's curriculum not only covers medical transcription skills but several skills and information that are useful for working in a health care environment. Through the curriculum, you could learn to understand medical terminology, pathology, pharmacology, medical billing and health insurance, and the proper office procedures for health care settings. Upon completion of the program, you could be eligible to sit for the Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) exam. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreThePrerequisites">What Are the Prerequisites?</h3> <p>To enroll in the medical transcriptionist program, you'll need to have a high school diploma or equivalent and be at least 17. To be able to successfully complete the program, access to a computer, high-speed internet, and Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office 2019 is required. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheCourseRequirements">What Are the Course Requirements?</h3> <p>There are 10 courses, 30 exams, and 4 graded projects in the program; courses total 564 hours of instruction time and it could take from 8 to 12 months to complete the program. You'll have the opportunity to earn 55 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Course Code</th><th>Course Title</th></tr> <tr><td>HIT100</td><td>Introduction to Allied Health</td></tr> <tr><td>BUS090</td><td>Medical Office Procedures</td></tr> <tr><td>ALH016</td><td>Body Systems and Medical Terminology 1</td></tr> <tr><td>ALH017</td><td>Body Systems and Medical Terminology 2</td></tr> <tr><td>ALH021</td><td>Pathology and Pharmacology</td></tr> <tr><td>HIT130</td><td>Electronic Medical Records</td></tr> <tr><td>ALH029</td><td>Medical Billing and Health Insurance</td></tr> <tr><td>ALH028</td><td>Law, Ethics, and Confidentiality in Allied Health</td></tr> <tr><td>HIT207</td><td>Medical Transcription 1</td></tr> <tr><td>HIT208</td><td>Medical Transcription 2</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhatCouldIDoAfterIGraduate">What Could I Do After I Graduate?</h3> <h4 id="section---CareerOpportunities">Career Opportunities</h4> <p>Upon graduation, you could sit for the Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) exam and pursue a job as a medical transcriptionist. Medical transcriptionists transcribe audio recordings of physician's notes or other information into reports, documents, and other types of medical information. They may also check a report that's been made using speech recognition technology for accuracy and correct any mistakes. Medical transcriptionists additionally organize the reports they've made and are expected to handle patient information with confidentiality. </p> <h4 id="section---AdvancedDegrees">Advanced Degrees</h4> <p>You could also pursue an associate's degree related to health care or health care administration after completion of the medical transcriptionist diploma. An associate's degree could help you gain new skills, develop existing ones, or gain knowledge on different topics. This could lead to new certifications, job opportunities, or added responsibilities at work. For example, you could learn new office skills that could be useful for an administrative position, or you could learn clinical skills and work directly with patients. </p> <ul><li>Associate of Science in Medical Assistant </li><li>Associate of Science in Health Care Management </li><li>Associate of Applied Science in Medical Administrative Assistant</li></ul>