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The Medical Transcription Process is very interesting but at the same time it is also very tough. For people with an aptitude for Medical Science, this is perhaps one of the best professions. After a client comes to a doctor, he/she discusses the problems. The doctor pays his attentions and hears the basic problems of the patient.

After doing so, he finally makes his plan and prepares the prescription. He also advises the patient in details, the step by step medication process, which the patient requires. All that is discussed between the patient and the doctor is being recorded in a recording machine. This is extremely essential for the future use of the doctor. For the patient also, this record proves to be extremely important.

The voice record can be written and kept as a hard copy. But often, it had been seen, that the hard copy is lost or torn. So it does not turn out to be that fruitful. But if there is a soft copy of the recorded message in the computer, then it becomes extremely fruitful in the long run. All the medical examinations which the doctor has performed are jotted down together and they are kept as a record for future use.

This is extremely essential in a situation where the patient revisits the doctor. The records can be used and he/she can be highly benefited. The doctor can go through the previous record and make an assessment of the present situation of the patient. The doctor can also assess whether the patient requires further medication or not.

The information which is collected by the doctor is generally recorded in a cassette. But the cassette system is not so secure. It may be lost or damaged. Therefore the soft copies may be an apt choice. Perhaps this is the reason why people prefer medical transcription outsourcing.

In the Western Countries Medical Transcription is extremely essential. This is because of the growing demand of the soft copy record of patients. In a hospital, keeping a lot of medical transcriptionist would not only be difficult, but it would be costly as well.

While there is an excellent knowledge pool available outside the Western Countries, the economists have felt that capturing these cheap resources would be beneficial for their homeland, especially the West. This is the reason why the qualified and well equipped cheap South East Asian resources are utilized by the Western Countries. They save cost and on the other hand the resources are extremely well educated in order to meet the requirement.

In the United States the amount which is earned by the process of Medical Transcription outsourcing is approximately US $10 to $25 billion annually. The figure is gradually going up and is expected to be around 15 percent more in the next year. Delving deep into the reason of outsourcing, one can site the cheap labor in Asian countries compared to the costly labor in the Western world.

Controversies regarding the outsourcing process

• Job Loss: It has been a common observation that US labors are losing their jobs since they require higher rates than their counterpart Asian transcriptionists.

• Less in Quality: Another possible reason against outsourcing is that people who work from their home offices are sometimes less qualified than people who are there actually in United States. The workers who outsource their work may not have the required standard; since they stay at a far away distance there will be less scope for correction and amendment.

• Lack of Accuracy: The lack of accuracy in transcription may cause serious disaster since there may be an error in patients’ diagnosis. This may create a serious havoc and wrong diagnosis may even result in the death of the patient. Therefore, outsourcing medical transcription is not accepted by some political wings of the United States.

Medical Transcription is one of the growing in demand profession in the West as well as in Asia Pacific. This job demands an insight into the patient’s problems and a knack to solve them. Generally there are various courses offered worldwide on Medical Transcription. The certificate course is one of them.

Medical transcription certificate course is a professional course with duration of just 6 months. During these six months lessons on the following are usually offered.

• Mt System also called machine translation; it is aimed at translating the various data. Due to this system, medical transcription outsourcing is possible today. It has wide domain coverage and has proven itself the best in the long run. For people who are interested in the job of a medical transcription, learning the MT System is extremely essential.
• Language of Medicine I: The language of medicine is a bit different from the rest. It contains a vast number of words to which common people, without knowledge, are not accustomed with. Therefore a Medical Learning Course is offered to students who want to do a Medical Transcription Course.
• Language of Medicine II: This is an advanced course in which various advanced medicinal language is taught. Without this course, one cannot understand the basics of medial transcription.
• Practical: This is perhaps one of the most vital parts of your entire knowledge. You have to practically apply your knowledge into practice. You shall be made to interact with the doctors, hear them and make the note. This is tough and interesting. If you qualify, then you may easily get the certificate.

Nowadays medical transcription job has changed itself from a manual to an electronic mode, and therefore has become more authentic. Today Voice Recognition system is being employed. This makes the medical transcription job easy and interesting.

The job in medical transcription is interesting and challenging. If you have a knack for medical profession, then this would be an ideal job for you.

The job of a medical transcriptionist is to convert the patient’s medical records into electronic format, which can be stored in the soft copy of the computer rather than the hand written hard copy. He/she is required to describe the electronic equipment which is utilized in performing medical transcription.

Previously the medical transcriptionist was also called a Medical Language Specialist or Health Information Management (HIM) paraprofessional.

Degree in Medical Transcription can be obtained in a number of ways. You can rely on traditional schooling, certificate or diploma programs, distance learning, and/or on-the-job training. Today, the diploma and the degree courses in Medical Transcription can be obtained by doing course of 18 months to 2 years.

People who want to pursue a course in Medical Transcription should have a good command over the few aspects mentioned below:

• Medical terminology and editing
• MT ability to listen and type simultaneously
• Utilization of playback controls on the transcriber (machine)
• Foot pedal to play and adjust dictations preserving a steady rhythm of execution.

By just getting a certificate, one cannot become a medical transcriptionist. In order to become a successful Medical Transcriptionist, one has to clear a practical examination. Then only one becomes a Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT).

The degree is awarded by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI). It had formerly been an American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT).

It is not important whether one has done Medical Transcription Degree from an online course, community college, high school night course, or on-the-job training in a doctor’s office or hospital; it is always essential that the medical transcriptionist is knowledgeable and qualified. Skilled medical transcriptionists are extremely valuable in the market.

For people who are interested in selecting Medical Transcription as a profession, pursuing a formal degree would just do the needful. After doing a professional degree, one has to through the test conducted by AHDI Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity, which awards the degree.

1 to 3 years’ experience is always preferred by the employers. The basic duties of a Medical Transcriptionist are the following:

• Knowledge of Medical Terminology: A wide knowledge of medical terminology is extremely essential.

• Good Command over English: One should have a good command over English and have excellent memory. Proficiency in English is mostly mandatory all over the world for people in this profession.

• Special abilities: People with an ability to sort, check, count, and verify numbers with accuracy.

The basic duties and responsibilities of a Medical Transcriptionist are quite different from any other job. It is a job in which you require to have optimum concentration, sense, ability to judge and efficiency. In this job one has to identify the patient information and so, the name of the patient, his/ her disease and diagnosis should clearly be recorded.

The medical terms and terminologies are extremely essential. The student, who wishes to pursue the Medical transcription course, should have an aptitude for Biological science so that remembering these terms and terminologies related to Medical Science becomes easier for him.

The medical transcriptionist is required to maintain a transcription log. In this log, he/she may sort, copy, prepare, assemble and file records. The dictation tapes are collected along with transcripted reports by the Medical transcriptionist. They are very vital since the main record of the patient who comes for a doctor’s advice is kept in that. For further communication with the doctor, this record is extremely essential. The Medical Transcriptionist also collect, tabulates, and generates reports on statistical data. They are sometimes required to do miscellaneous jobs as well.

The Institute of Technology offers the following diploma programs for students who plan to have a career in healthcare:

• Medical Billing/Coding Specialist
• Medical Office Administration
• Pharmacy Technician
• Professional Medical Assistant

Medical Billing/Coding Specialist

Institute of Technology provides career-focused training required to become a Medical Billing/Coding Specialist. The detailed program imparts the education and skills necessary for attaining expertise in the use of Medical Manager Software, as well as ICD-9 and CPT-4 coding software. Students also get to learn related terminology and insurance billing procedures.

Students of the Medical Billing/Coding Specialist program also get to learn the laws and ethics governing the medical profession. They get trained in the procedures and their execution in various medical insurance plans as well as the management techniques of those plans.

Medical Office Administration

Institute of Technology offers a comprehensive program in Medical Office Administration that can provide students with relevant education in the area of general medical office procedures. The essential daily tasks of scheduling appointments, filing and documenting patient records are some areas covered in the program. Students also get to study other relevant areas like general anatomy and physiology. All this is reinforced with a strong foundation in medical terminology.

The curriculum also covers medical ethics, medical billing and collections, and public relations with respect to the medical field. Graduates can look forward to beginning careers in the medical profession working as a medical office managers or administrators.

Pharmacy Technician

The Pharmacy Technician program at Institute of Technology provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary for entering the medical field as a pharmacy technician.

Students of this program learn the techniques of calculating dosages, ordering, stocking, packaging and preparing medications. All this is reinforced with hands-on training. The program does not stop at teaching the skills directly related to the field, it also helps the students to develop interpersonal and communication skills.

Professional Medical Assistant

This program covers vital areas of the medical field like anatomy and physiology, patient medical records, clinical and lab procedures, appointment scheduling, Medical Manager Software, and medical terminology.

Instructors with professional experience help students to develop their knowledge and skill base in the clinical and administrative duties which would be required by them to pursue a career as a professional medical assistant.

Graduates are prepared for and eligible for CMA and RMA certification. Upon successful completion of these two certifications, they will get national recognition as Certified Medical Assistant. This can be valuable as many employers require this certification as a pre-condition to employment.

The Online Medical Billing Courses are designed in favor of students who have dearth of time. These courses enable students to gather knowledge on the entire process of conducting a medical billing business. The courses are structured with some common objectives. The course begins with basics that include an introduction, marketing, and managerial aspects. As the course moves ahead, you will be able to learn the intricacies of a medical billing and the various issues which come into your way when carrying out the business.

Throughout the learning period, you are expected to answer questions which are followed by some sort of feedback. The feedbacks enable you to have a learning experience and help you to get a better grip of the entire course. In depth concepts and values of the billing industries would also be explained during the course.

Allied medical school :

This school enables the students to sharpen their skills completely. Payment of medical services and other aspects will also have to be to be clarified for the students. Students are taught the process of using their knowledge in evaluation, diagnosis and management (E/M) and also carry out coding so that the billing task can be completed. This school offers some of the courses and activities which would strengthen your position as a billing professional.

Gatlin education services :

This is online college includes some of the typical courses which include:

1. Documenting telephone calls and noting them down is a clever.

2. Scheduling appointments of the patients with the doctors.

3. Participating in insurance verification process.

4. Maintaining the charts and recording information of the patients

5. Posting transactions on charge tickets and day sheets including patients’ accounts.

6. Coding and billing insurance claims.

7. Performing several collection activities.

Medical billing course online :

This online institute offers students courses on several subjects and medical billing is just one of those.

The medical billing course covers the following:

• Insurance Basics

• How Doctors Think and Act
• Medicare Basics
• Managed Care Terms
• Clearinghouses
• Marketing to Providers
• Medical Coding Scripts
• Collections
• The Role of Insurance Carriers

The job of a typical medical coder is to transform the diagnoses and procedures into medical codes. According to the new federal laws, it has been stated that all healthcare industries should abide by the standardized medical coding system. If the medical record of the patients is coded accurately then it becomes easier for the patients to apply for insurance and other medical health facilities.

The students who want to pursue a career in medical coding can obtain their degree from a well researched avenue. It is always better to select universities and colleges that can offer associate and bachelor’s degrees exclusively on health information management. In United States you will find about 200 such institutions and hence selection of the right one from these is a bit difficult. Online education is always preferred by students now, as it can save time and money as well.

Some recommended medial coding schools are:

Allied Health institute :

This institute provides its students with quality programs that help them to shine successfully in the career in future. Their courses include group discussions, chats, audio/visual presentations, online testing and more. The Medical Coding Specialist Program provided by this institute includes the following covers the following aspects:

• Students are trained to study medical reports of patients
• They learn to analyze the medical documents and assign codes to the patients.
• They try to diagnose the problem with the patient and suggest a suitable medical code for that.
• Research on statistical data, facts and figure are made for better health of the students.

JER Group, Inc. (onlineworkshops):

This institute had been providing students with degrees and diplomas in medical coding since 1994. This institute is simply worthy of its name and provides adequate information that help in building the career of the students.

Why this college?

Students, after completing their online courses can continue education from any of the branches or institutes affiliated by JER group. This institute provides the following courses to their students:

• An Expert Certificate Course
• Training on medical coding
• Students can participate actively in Medical Coding Certificate Program

Medical coding certificate programs are designed to help students get a certificate after they complete certain courses. These certificates would enable them to create a niche in the health industries in future. Students have the scope to opt for certificate programs offered by the American Health Information Management Association and American Academy of Professional Coders. But to be a part of these certificate programs students need to meet the certification exam requirements. The coding courses are offered in a traditional classroom format and students are guided through the program in every respect.

Below are the courses that are offered to students pursuing medical coding :

• Expanded Medical Terminology for the Health Care Professional
• Anatomy and Physiology for the Medical Office Professional
• Medical Coding I
• Medical Coding II
• Medical Insurance and Billing
• Elective (required)

Certificates awarded to qualified students :

Medical coding certificates are awarded to students who qualify the proposed courses for the certificate program. During the completion of the course students are supported by the online or traditional university in every way possible.

Below are the common types of certificates awarded to medical coders:

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) awards the following certificates:

• Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)- This certification states that the awarded person has achieved expertise in coding much more than what one can achieve in the entry level.
• Certified Coding Associate (CCA)- Recent graduates are awarded this certificate. It states that one has successfully completed the fresher level training programs.
• Certified Coding Specialist -Physician-based (CCS-P)- A person awarded with this certificate can work in the offices of the physician and are qualified to manage any issues related to CPT coding system.

Other types of medical coding certificates include:

Medical Office Procedures Certificate - This is an entry level certificate that is awarded to students who have earned enough knowledge of the medical coding procedures and have also learnt to manage the official activities.

In every country, irrespective of the financial conditions, the medical care, pharmaceutical and therapeutic are primary requirements. Health is wealth and hence these medical coders make their best attempts to be a support in this field. As the medical requirements are increasing so as the need of people with expertise in this field is growing. This is such a field where the parameters of success are only hard work and education but not region, religion or financial background. Students pursing a career in medical coding would definitely establish themselves provided they approach the right college and achieve the desired certificates.

How can you be a medical coder?

When you have decided on to become a medical coder, you need to maintain an official record of observations. These observations would include treatments that doctors have inserted for the healthcare professionals. These professionals would have to organize medical billing and evaluate the accuracy of the records. The people responsible for only coding also termed as health information coders. A coder is also responsible for a primary diagnosis and need to have knowledge of disease processes. Several computer programs are designed to maintain the records.

How to start your own business?

• Once you have completed your education in medical coding you need to get yourself certified either from American Health Information Management Association or American Academy of Professional Coders. The certificates awarded by any of these institutes will qualify you as a medical coder and hence you can start you own business.

• You need to answer questions over the net with through knowledge. Open a message board and let people question you on medical coding. Help them out with their issues while you earn. In this process do not forget to attend the meetings of AHIMA and AACP.

• It is essential to understand every detail related to HIPAA. There are several books and online information available from where you collect information on this.

• Use SCORE as a valuable source to guide you on the medical coding small business.