If you have a keen eye for detail and dream about a career that combines your love of the medical profession with your knack for precision and protecting private patient health data — becoming a medical transcriptionist may be the career for you.
Today’s medical transcriptionists work in a variety of clinical environments and insurance agencies as front-office administrative assistants who analyze, collect, transcribe, categorize, and report details related to medical appointments, medical records, and doctor visits, and protect patient data.
These trusted professionals transcribe critical medical data, which licensed medical professionals use as a reference tool when providing patient diagnosis, treatment, and care.
Below, we offer a comprehensive overview of some of the best online medical transcriptionist training programs available in the U.S.
Page Navigation
- Where Do Medical Transcriptionists Work?
- Medical Transcriptionists Job Duties
- Online Medical Transcriptionist Training Programs
- Medical Transcriptionist Program Courses
- Can You Earn Medical Transcriptionist Certification Completely Online?
- How Long Does it Take to Earn Medical Transcriptionist Certification Online?
- How Much Does Online Medical Transcriptionist Certification Cost?
- Final Thoughts
Where Do Medical Transcriptionists Work?
While many MTs are found in front offices of hospitals and urgent care facilities distributed across the US, they also work in a variety of other clinical and nonclinical settings.
Today’s MTs can be found transcribing medical records and electronic health records in the following locations.
- Hospitals
- Private Practice Offices
- Insurance Companies
- Government Agencies
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities
- Outpatient Care Centers
- Educational Institutions
Medical Transcriptionists Job Duties
The job role of a Medical Transcriptionist requires attention to detail, customer service skills for engaging with medical providers and patients, and the ability to use the latest electronic health records technologies for transcription and medical records management.
Medical records Transcriptionists also carry out some of the following daily tasks as part of their job duties.
- Listening to recorded medical reports
- Transcribing recorded medical reports
- Proofreading and editing transcribed medical reports
- Formatting transcribed medical reports
- Maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy according to HIPPA regulations
- Stay updated on the latest medical technology trends and changes
- Continuing education to maintain medical transcriber certification credentials
Online Medical Transcriptionist Training Programs
The best online medical transcriptionist training programs offer prospective students quick entry into the medical field in certification-based and accredited web-based programs.
Students who take medical transcription training online can learn in a comfortable environment at their own pace while enjoying the comforts of home and begin providing entry-level medical transcription services within a year.
Our guide provides an overview of seven medical transcriptionist programs, a brief overview of each program, course offerings, and tuition costs.
#1. U.S. Career Institute
About the Program
The Online Medical Transcriptionist Training Program allows students to learn at their own pace and complete the program in around six months.
They train students to professionally transcribe doctor’s notes, medical reports, and electronic health records that tell medical professionals essential information about their patients, conditions, and treatment plans.
Students who complete the program at the U.S. Career Institute earn a certificate from the school and are prepared to sit for the Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) exam, which most students take upon completing the program.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Medical Transcription and Editing
- Transcribing and Editing Skills I and II
- Medical Records, Anatomy, and Ethics
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Reports and Speech Recognition Technology
- Proofreading
- Neurological and Musculoskeletal Systems
Contact Information
- Address: 2001 Lowe Street, Fort Collins, Colorado – 80525
- Website: Link
- Phone: 866-250-6851
- Program Costs: $1,239.00 – $1,539.00
*Monthly payment plans available.
#2. West Georgia Technical College
About the Program
The web-based medical transcription course offered by West Georgia College, in partnership with Ed2Go, teaches its students the foundational knowledge needed to transcribe medical reports and records in a variety of clinical settings.
Their online program gives students six weeks to complete the program, which consists of 24 course hours.
This program has options for completely self-paced enrollment and instructor-led options where students can interact and engage with online instructors and fellow students via moderated discussion boards.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Medical Transcription
- Medical Terminology and Spelling
- The Nuts and Bolts of Working as an M.T.
- Checking Your Work
- Report Formatting and Word Processing
- Classification Systems, Discharge, and Death Summaries
- Listening Carefully
- Tools of the Trade
- Infections, Bloog, and Cells
Contact Information
- Address: 220 Fort Drive, Lagrange, Georgia – 30240
- Website: Link
- Phone: 855-286-3462
- Program Costs: $135.00
*This program offers payment plans.
#3. Penn Foster
About the Program
The Penn Foster online medical transcriptionist training program trains students on the skills needed to earn RHDS certification and work in a variety of medical settings upon completion.
Their web-based medical transcription program consists of 10 courses, 30 exams, and just under 60 hours of continuing education credits.
Most students who enroll with Penn Foster for medical transcription training can complete the program within twelve months.
They also offer a fast-track option for the student who wants to complete their certification training faster.
Courses Offered
- Body Systems and Medical Terminology
- Pathology and Pharmacology
- Medical Office Procedure
- Introduction to Allied Health
- Electronic Medical Records
- Laws, Ethics, and Confidentiality in Allied Health
- Medical Transcriptions 1 and 2
Contact Information
- Address: 925 Oak Street, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18515
- Website: Link
- Phone: 1-800-275-4410
- Program Costs: $799.00 – $989.00
*This program has low monthly payment plans available.
#4. Rochester Community and Technical College – Healthcare Office Professional
About the Program
Rochester Community and Technical College has an online Healthcare Office Professional Program where students can earn a Healthcare Office Professional Certificate and an associate’s degree.
The program trains students in medical terminology, office skills, and technology in an online program.
Students who take classes at RCTC will learn how to function in front-office positions using medical terminology, customer service, and electronic file records management skills to transcribe critical patient data.
RCTC graduates are prepared for national certification and to work as entry-level transcriptionists in doctor’s offices, hospitals, urgent cares, other medical facilities, and insurance companies.
Courses Offered
- Healthcare Office Fundamentals
- Microcomputer Business Applications
- Employment Strategies
- Healthcare Office Documentation
- Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professionals
- Customer Relations Management
- English Grammar for Careers
- Microsoft Outlook and Meeting Planning
Contact Information
- Address: 851 30th Avenue Southeast, Rochester, Minnesota – 55904
- Website: Link
- Phone: 507-285-7272
- Program Costs: $212.71 per credit hour
#5. Blackstone Career Institute
About the Program
The Medical Transcription Program at Blackstone Career Institute is an online program that prepares students to become Certified Medical Transcriptionists.
Students who complete their program will be ready to take certification exams administered by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity.
This nationally and regionally accredited program is self-paced, and it includes all program materials in the cost of tuition.
They also offer discounts and payment plans to make it easier for students to pay for the costs of their online education.
Courses Offered
- Disease Processes
- Anatomy and Medical Terminology
- Time and Stress Management
- Fundamentals of Medical Transcription
- Critical Thinking Skills
- English Usage and Verbal Communication
- How to Find a Job in Healthcare
Contact Information
- Address: 1011 Brookside Road, Suite 300, Allentown, Pennsylvania – 18106
- Website: Link
- Phone: 800-826-9228
- Program Costs: $1,214.00-$1,442.00
#6. Ashworth College
About the Program
Ashworth College delivers an Online Medical Transcription and Training Certification Prep course that trains students on medical records, medical editing for documents, medical terminology, and the fundamental skills needed to function as an entry-level medical transcriptionist upon graduating from the program.
Their program follows a pre-certification prep pathway, which readies students to sit for regional and national certification testing.
Program costs include:
- The transcription foot pedal.
- Thirty-five hours of authentic physician dictations.
- Access to a student learning resource center online.
Courses Offered
- Medical Editing
- Medical Record Style
- Medical and Body Systems Terminology
- Surgical Treatments and Infectious Disease
- Basic Standards of Style
- Privacy and Security Requirements for Healthcare Documentation
- Transcribing and Editing Medical Documents
Contact Information
- Address: 5051 Peachtree Corners Circle, Suite 200, Norcross, Georgia 30092
- Website: Link
- Phone: 1-800-957-5412
- Program Costs: $799.00-$989.00
*This program offers discounts for total payments upfront and monthly payment plans.
#7. Career Step
About the Program
Career Steps provides students with the opportunity to complete their medical transcription training and certification preparation online.
Their accredited program is self-paced and follows the RHDS pre-certification prep track for its curriculum.
It teaches students how to transcribe electronic health records, medical records, and doctor’s notes and how to edit speech-recognition documents into a readable format.
Students can expect to complete the Career Steps Online Medical Transcriptionist training program in around 12 months, working at their own pace.
Courses Offered
- Technology and the Medical Professional
- Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and Disease Processes
- Medical Word Building
- Mastering Medical Language
- Healthcare Documentation
- Pharmacology
- Introduction to Transcription
- Focus on Medical Specialties
Contact Information
- Address: 2901 Ashton Boulevard, Suite 101, Lehi, Utah 84043
- Website: Link
- Phone: 800-411-7073
- Program Cost: $3,799.00
Medical Transcriptionist Program Courses
The names of courses offered in online MT courses will vary between programs.
Following are examples of commonly required courses and course descriptions prospective transcriptionists can expect to take when enrolling in one of the online programs listed above.
- Anatomy and Physiology – Medical Transcriptionists take Anatomy and Physiology classes to learn how to correctly identify key terms and parts of the body when transcribing records.
- Medical Terminology – Key medical words and phrases needed to understand medical records and transcribe doctor’s notes are taught in medical terminology classes.
- Introduction to Transcription – Aspiring transcriptionists are introduced to the field, its required tools, and the world of transcription in this introductory course.
- Medical Ethics and Confidentiality – All transcribers learn how to protect personally identifying patient data by adhering to ethical standards, legal regulations, and HIPPA.
- Job Search Skills – Transcribers are equipped with the skills needed to land a job in job search skills training.
- Medical Specialties – Students learn the core terminology and related techniques needed to describe medical specialties in these niche-based courses.
- Electronic Health Records – Medical transcription students learn the fundamentals of creating, analyzing, and transcribing electronic health records using the latest transcription technology.
- Medical Research – Students learn how to conduct medical research in order to transcribe complete and accurate health records.
- Pharmacology – M.T.s learn the fundamentals of pharmacology and how to recognize prescription medications when transcribing medical reports.
- Healthcare Documentation – M.T. students learn how to effectively create, manage, and protect healthcare documentation for patient confidentiality.
Can You Earn Medical Transcriptionist Certification Completely Online?
Yes! Prospective transcriptionists who want to begin their careers online will be pleased to know that they can complete their general education courses, foundational knowledge courses, and core courses online.
Students who complete online certification training programs from approved and accredited programs can move on to the final certification step of taking national exams with the following certification agencies that offer online testing options.
- American Associaton for Medical Transcription – AAMT
- Association for Healthcare Documentation and Integrity – AHDI
- National Center for Healthcare Documentation – NCHCD
How Long Does it Take to Earn Medical Transcriptionist Certification Online?
The amount of time it takes to earn medical transcriptionist certification online depends on a number of factors.
While selected program type, credentials sought, and the individual pace of student learning are the main factors that determine how long each program takes to complete, most students complete their online transcription education within twelve months.
How Much Does Online Medical Transcriptionist Certification Cost?
The cost of earning a medical transcriptionist certification online will vary between programs.
Online reports show that most programs cost between two to three hundred dollars on average to complete.
While these are the averages, there are course-intensive and all-inclusive online transcription programs that can cost as much as $4,000.00.
Most web-based transcription programs offer payment options for students who want to make monthly payments and financial aid.
Final Thoughts
Aspiring Medical Transcriptionists who want to begin their careers online can enter the field by completing certification-based preparation courses from the educational institutions listed above.
Most online programs can be completed in twelve months or less, and many offer faster track options for students who are eager to begin working in the field.
If you’re ready to begin your career as a medical transcriptionist, reach out to one of the program directors of the programs above to learn more about the next steps to take, including application processes, next course start dates, and how to access your classes online!
