Medical Transcription Contractors

							                          Lea Sims, CMT, FAAMT
                     Kim Buchanan, CMT, FAAMT

Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity
Translating from oral to written form the record of a person’s
encounter with a healthcare professional




                 AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
• Strong English grammar
• Compelling interest in the medical field
• Superior research skills
• Competent use of the computer
• Keen listening skills
• Fine attention to detail
• Ability to sit (and concentrate) for long periods of time

                 AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Doctor’s offices                    Hospitals
Medical schools                     Legal offices
Insurance companies                 Veterinary offices
Rehab facilities                    Radiology departments
Pathology departments               Clinics
Laboratories                        Medical libraries
Research centers                    Medical transcription companies



               AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Quality Assurance Specialist                  Editor
Supervisor                                    Teacher
Manager                                       Department Head
Mentor/Trainer                                Business Owner



                 AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Find a QUALITY medical transcription training program
•taught by qualified instructors, certified in the MT field
•based on the AHDI Model Curriculum, 3rd edition
•with access to a minimum of 30 hours of authentic physician
dictation
•incorporating the Book of Style, 2nd edition
•with an advisory board that includes CMTs
•that offers job placement assistance
•that emphasizes excellence in medical transcription training in their
advertising (rather than focusing on working from home)


                    AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Approval Committee for Certificate Programs (ACCP) –
collaboration of AHDI and AHIMA

Evaluates transcription programs and offers approval to those
that meet a strict list of criteria

Approval good for 3 years

ACCP votes quarterly

                 AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Are supported by industry employers

Have a proven track record of employable graduates

Have students that pass the RMT exam (83% pass rate)




                AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Approved programs
• average 9 to 18 months in length
• average approximately $3000 in cost
• provide a minimum of 40 hours overall of authentic dictation
• adhere to the Model Curriculum
• encourage participation in your professional organization
(AHDI)



                 AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
To narrow down your options, ask yourself these questions:

Are you disciplined enough to study from home, or do you need
to be in the classroom to focus?

Do you need deadlines, or would you rather work at your own
pace? (the difference between open enrollment and seasonal
enrollment programs)

Do you prefer direct contact with an instructor, or is email
communication okay?
                  AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
What is their student:teacher ratio

Are the teachers experienced MTs?

What kind of feedback from your teacher can you expect?

Do they accept financial aid or offer a payment plan?

What is included in the quoted cost of the program?

What equipment do you need if you’re studying online?

                 AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Level 1 exam geared toward recent graduates and
transcriptionists with limited experience

Two-part exam: multiple choice and practical

Successful candidates earn the RMT credential – good for 3
years



                 AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Online Prep Assessment Courses

RMT Review Guide published by Stedmans

Book of Style Student Workbook published by Stedmans

Cost of exam: $120 AHDI members, $200 nonmembers



                AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
National program recognized by the Department of Labor

Eligible: Graduates of approved schools who earn the RMT

Apprentices paired with employers for 2-year commitment

Apprentices paid an hourly wage that increases over the course of the
commitment

Apprentices receive on-the-job training in acute care work



                   AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Expect to work full-time until you’ve gained experience

Don’t expect to find the perfect job right out of school (though
it does happen sometimes)

Many employers hire graduates of approved schools right away

Many employers hire RMTs right away


                 AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Consider purchasing:
Getting Your Foot in the Door: Two Years’ Experience Not Required
A Career In Medical Transcription

E-books available through AHDI - $35

Full of valuable advice about the industry and finding your first job



                   AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Employees can expect their employer to take taxes out of their
paychecks. Some offer benefits like paid time off, health
insurance, and even 401-k accounts.

Independent contractors own their own businesses. They are
responsible for paying their own taxes. If they take time off
from work, they don’t get paid.

Some companies hire independent contractors to work for
them.
                 AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS – www.bls.gov/oco/ocos271.htm

“medical transcriptionists had median hourly earnings of $14.40 in May 2006. The
middle 50 percent earned between $12.17 and $17.06. The lowest 10 percent earned
less than $10.22, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $20.15. .”


ADVANCE MAGAZINE – 2007 Salary Survey – www.advanceforhim.com

“MTs reported an average salary of $27,829, up from 2006's $25,408.. “

“The number of certified medical transcriptionists (CMTs) rose about 1 percent
from last year, and the pay for CMTs grew from $31,949 last year to a $37,864 in
2007.”

                      AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Level 2 exam – geared toward transcriptionists with at least 2 years of
acute care (hospital) experience

Two-part exam: multiple choice and practical

Successful candidates earn the CMT credential – good for 3 years

CMTs earn a minimum of 30 CECs every 3 years to maintain their
credential

                    AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Online Prep Assessment Courses

CMT Review Guide published by Stedmans



Cost of exam: $195 AHDI members, $275 nonmembers




               AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a need for 5.3 million
healthcare workers

Supply not keeping up with demand

MTIA predicts 25,000 current openings

Aging population will put incredible pressure on our
unprepared healthcare system


                  AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
FRONT END: Physician dictates into a computer program, a
draft copy of the report appears on the screen, physician edits
the report and then signs off on it. It goes into the patient’s
record.

Pros: Record available as soon as doctor dictates, no
transcription costs

Cons: Not cost-effective for physicians to spend their time
editing, no “checks and balances,” physicians are resisting

                 AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
BACK END: Physician dictates into a computer program, draft
copy of report sent to transcription for editing, transcriptionist
edits report and sends back to doctor, doctor signs off, report
goes into record.

Pros: Provides “checks and balances,” physicians don’t have to
edit, editing can be faster than transcribing

Cons: Some physicians are not good candidates for speech rec
(ESL, poor dictators, etc.), can be expensive to implement

                  AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Physicians use laptop computers to enter patient information
directly into patient’s medical record using drop-down menus
and small text fields.

Pros: Information immediately available and in the record, no
transcription costs

Cons: Expensive, physicians act as transcriptionists, no “checks
and balances,” relies on technology (which doesn’t always work
properly), does not allow for “narrative” which tells the patient’s
story, some physicians are resisting
                  AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
- for professionals willing to commit to lifelong learning
- for professionals willing to embrace standards and credentialing
- for professionals looking for a career and not just a job




                 AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org
Lea Sims, CMT, FAAMT – lsims@ahdionline.org
Director of Communications and Publications, AHDI

Kim Buchanan, CMT, FAAMT – kbuchanan@ahdionline.org
Director of Credentialing and Education, AHDI

AHDI – Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity
WEBSITE: www.ahdionline.org



                AHDI ** www.ahdionline.org