What are the best professional certifications in medical transcription to earn?
While it is relatively easy to complete a certificate program, especially since medical transcription online certificate programs increase educational options in remote areas, it is more difficult to become a certified transcriptionist. Completing a certificate program is designed to provide you with the education and experience necessary to apply for a professional designation.
There are 2 valuable certifications you should consider if you want to become a professional medical transcriptionist: the Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) and the Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT). Even though both of these designations are offered by the Association for Healthcare Documentation and Integrity (AHDI), each is specific to a certain group of transcriptionists.
The RMT medical transcription certification program was created to test the competency of recent college graduates, those with less than 2 years of transcription experience and those with a single medical specialty. It succinctly proves to future employers that you possess the basic skills to transcribe, even though you may not have an extensive professional background.
Students who pass a certification exam for a CMT designation are generally considered more competitive on the job market and may qualify for a higher pay scale than their uncertified or RMT counterparts. This designation requires at least 2 years of prior experience in different medical specialties. It is especially important to gain this certification if you are interested in management or supervisory positions.
What organizations offer certification in medical transcription?
AHDI is currently the only organization that provides medical transcription certification. It has been the most influential association among medical transcriptionists since 1978, when it introduced the CMT certification program. Within the last 10 years, it unveiled the RMT medical transcription certification program. AHDI’s designations have been the industry standard for over 30 years, helping employers easily identify students with sufficient skills and knowledge to work in professional environments.
If you are pursuing a traditional or online medical transcription certification in order to secure a position in healthcare information management, you will also need to familiarize yourself with the American Healthcare Information Management Association (AHIMA). Deeply rooted in the belief that medical care is directly related to the quality of record keeping, AHIMA has been qualifying individuals and institutions as certified medical information specialists since 1928.
Although this organization does not provide a certification program, it does identify college programs that adhere to high levels of medical data management. Through a joint accreditation body called the Approval Committee on Certificate Programs, ADHI and AHIMA have identified a list of exceptional colleges that will provide you with the necessary education to pass a medical transcription certification exam.
Can I earn a certification in medical transcription online?
You can complete the testing requirements for the RMT and CMT medical transcription certification online. In fact, choosing an online testing option is not only more convenient but also more economical. AHDI partners with Kryterion to provide online access to the test as long as certain requirements are met.
In order to complete your medical transcription certification online, you must have the software, hardware and test security necessary to provide accurate and authentic results. Initially, you will need to verify your computer’s ability to run the assessment program by checking with the Candidate Computer Spec Sheet. After you meet the minimum requirements, you will be sent the appropriate software and schedule your online exam time. An online proctor will be assigned to you.
Although the medical transcription certification online test can be costly, AHDI and Kryterion both offer free online study guides to help you prepare. The OLP Test Taker Preparation Manual is a Kryterion product that will specifically help you prepare for the online exam, giving you detailed information about the process of online proctoring and the necessary technical requirements. AHDI offers additional online medical transcription certification courses that will prepare you for the CMT and RMT exams. These courses include group discussions, practice exams and study guides that will provide you with the best testing strategies.
