Medical transcriptionists use a transcription machine to listen to dictation by physicians and other healthcare professionals concerning medical reports such as emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging studies, operations, chart reviews, and final summaries. In order to understand and accurately transcribe these reports into a format that is clear and comprehensible, the medical transcriptionist must understand the language of medicine, anatomy, physiology, diagnostic procedures, and treatment. They must also be able to translate medical jargon and abbreviations into their expanded forms. Editing as necessary for grammar and clarity, the medical transcriptionist transcribes reports that will eventually become part of the patient’s permanent file and returns them in either printed or electronic form to the dictator for review, edit and signature.

The Medical Transcriptionist certificate program includes courses in medical terminology, medical machine transcription, human anatomy and physiology as well as training in keyboarding, word processing software and communications skills. Medical transcriptionists will find employment in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and physicians’ offices or self-employment.

Most Semester Credit Hours can be applied to the Office Systems Technology and Automated Office programs.