Medilogistics


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1.	What is medical transcription?
2.	Who can be a transcriptionist?
3.	What exactly does a medical transcriptionist do?
4.	Why is training required?
5.	How does one start training?
6.	What is the training period?
7.	Is there a fee involved for the training?
8.	Are placements done by the training company?
9.	What if one does not make the grade at the end of training?
10.	What is the minimum salary one can expect at entry level?
11.	What is the hierarchy in medical transcription?
12.	What are the positions one can get at entry level after the training?
13.	How soon can one expect to have promotion?
14.	Is medical transcription a stable career?
15.	What if higher technology makes manual work redundant in a short while?
16.	Is home-transcription possible after finishing training?
17.	What is AAMT?
18.	Should one acquire certification from AAMT to start work?
19.	What is the certification awarded by AAMT? Is it available in India?
20.	Is there any special training required to take the CMT examination?
21.	Is there a body in India like the AAMT?
22.	Is there anything else one should do to start medical transcription?

1.	What is medical transcription?
	Medical transcription is the work involving converting digitized audio medical reports into documents. In Countries like USA, doctors have to write extensive reports at every stage of treatment of their patients. These reports are dictated by doctors into audio recording devices. They are then transferred to transcription companies (or individuals) where specialized professionals called Medical Transcriptionists (MTs) then play back this data and type it out as text. This is a highly skilled task and it calls for a sound knowledge of medical terminology, good listening skills, computer skills and an excellent command over English language, especially the American usage, and grammar.
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2.	Who can be a transcriptionist?
	Since training is imparted in the varied aspects of medical transcription including acquiring the required skills, almost any graduate with a flair for English language and minimal knowledge of typing can become a transcriptionist. Biology, medical or paramedical background is an added advantage but not a prerequisite
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3.	What exactly does a medical transcriptionist do?
	A transcriptionist works at a workstation (computer) that is connected to a server, listens to dictated records and types out what he/she hears through the headphone in a prescribed format or on to a template that is client specific.
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4.	Why is training required?
	Working at a computer, acquiring a sound knowledge of English grammar, listening to and recognizing varied accents, understanding medical terminology and formatting various kinds of reports all require training.
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5.	How does one start training?
	The first step is registration either on-line or in person for an aptitude test wherein one’s capacity to undergo the training is assessed. If one is assessed fit, then he/she is called to join training.
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6.	What is the training period?
	It is usually between 4 and 6 months. Some companies offer a fast-track training program for people with biology/medical background where the concentration is more on hands-on transcription and the training is less than 3 months. For people of nonbiology background, it is usually 4 months of training plus two months of hands-on transcription work.
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7.	Is there a fee involved for the training?
	Companies which impart only training charge a fee since the training methods involve extensive use of printed material, computer use, playback accessories and guest lectures. Companies, which are also into production, normally take a deposit mostly returnable after one year of working with the company. They only charge a service fee for the use of computers. Some companies give a stipend during the time of training. nsight is a training-only company at the moment even though there are plans to get into production in the near future. So there is a very reasonable fee involved in training at nsight.
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8.	Are placements done by the training company?
	Even though there is no guarantee of employment offered by the training company, the company’s reputation plays a big part in instant work opportunity on completion of training. Besides, the demand for trained medical transcriptionists is increasing day by day and there is no dearth of work at the end of training.
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9.	What if one does not make the grade at the end of training?
	It does not happen normally because the selection for training itself is after screening for aptitude and capacity. In case one is not able to make the grade, the training is extended for a month for an additional nominal fee. But it has not happened before.
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10.	What is the minimum salary one can expect at entry level?
	Rs. 4000 is the minimum one can expect. Within a few months of entry, one can expect to earn Rs. 5000. Thereafter it is the quality of work that determines the returns.
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11.	What is the hierarchy in medical transcription?
	Operations supervisor, quality controller, production supervisor, senior editor, editor/senior proofreader, sub editor/proofreader, senior medical transcriptionist, medical transcriptionist. This is the general hierarchy. Some companies do away with certain intermediate positions.
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12.	What are the positions one can get at entry level after the training?
	There are two positions available at entry level – 1) Transcriptionist 2) Proofreader. For proofreader one is expected to have exceptionally good command over English language.

13.	How soon can one expect to have promotion?
	Promotions are entirely dependent on the quality of work one produces.
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14.	Is medical transcription a stable career?
	Definitely. The quantum of work required to be done is increasing day by day.
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15.	What if higher technology makes manual work redundant in a short while?
	There is of course voice recognition software, which is able to convert wave files (voice files) into document file. But it is not as reliable as human work and needs to be edited for accuracy. So for a long time to come, the work is going to be in the hands of people and not machines.
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16.	Is home-transcription possible after finishing training?
	Generally home-transcription is attempted by MTs who have put in at least 2 years of work in-house. The quality of work expected of a home-based worker is much higher than the in-house worker and the level of accuracy is expected at 98%, 95% of work. This comes only with experience. If one has the capacity and a willingness to invest in work requirements, this is a good option in a couple of years after start. Home-based editing is also offered by some companies.
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17.	What is AAMT?
	AAMT, which expands to American Association of Medical Transcription, is an organization in the US (AAMT) that lays down standards, produces training materials, conducts certification exams etc.
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18.	Should one acquire certification from AAMT to start work?
	Not at all. The training itself is based on AAMT guidelines and completion of training is quite enough to get employment.
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19. What is the certification awarded by AAMT? Is it available in India?
	CMT (Certified Medical Transcriptionist) is the certification awarded by AAMT and it is a very valuable certificate. But it is advisable to attempt the certification examination after working for a few years. One requires the skill of transcription to aim for the certification. The certification examination is available to all practicing medical transcriptionists and now there are venues in India where one can take the examination. Earlier one had to travel to the US to take the examination
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20.	Is there any special training required to take the CMT examination?
	No. But there may be consideration for specialized training in the future if there are enough candidates willing to take the CMT examination. There are just a handful of CMTs in India at the moment.
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21.	Is there a body in India like the AAMT?
	Not exactly like AAMT. But there is an organization called MT India, which is doing good service by hosting forums and message boards for practicing MTs and MT companies in India. It offers a host of membership services that are useful for a practicing MT. It could be considered a collective voice of Indian MT business. There are corporate (for companies) and individual (for practicing MTs) memberships available with MT India. For more information please visit http://www.mtindia.org/.
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22.	Is there anything else one should do to start medical transcription?
	Yes, contact us.
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