Medical Transcription is an industry that is exploding. It is prestigious and in demand. An individual who performs medical transcription is known as a medical transcriptionist (MT) or a medical transcriber. A medical transcriptionist is the person responsible for converting the patient's medical records into typewritten format rather than handwritten.

In the course of my research, the first thing I learned was that you can't just jump into a career as an MT without training. Medical transcription requires a practical knowledge of medical language, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, laboratory, medicine, and the internal organization of medical reports. Thus, the medical transcriptionist must be well versed in the language of medicine. Some qualities of a successful MT's are:
· Independent by nature.
· Word Specialist.
· Perfectionist.
· Detail oriented.
· Training options.

Transcription is one of those jobs that many people know can be done from home, and so the interest level is very high. Unfortunately, there are many companies out there trying to capitalize on that interest. The results are over-priced and sub-standard courses.

When you take the time to research the skills that a quality MT needs, it will become evident that a shorter or less comprehensive course of study is not going to give you what you need to succeed in the workplace. Many prospective students who look into very inexpensive fast programs buy into the idea that they can learn medical transcription quickly and then begin making good money right away, but as I think a MT course should offer a prospective MT student is an in-depth, comprehensive program of study including extensive study in every and all subject areas relating to advanced medical transcription and not just the basics.

As an MT student, you are going to have countless questions pertaining to your coursework and a good course needs to provide you with someone who can answer those questions quickly and comprehensively. It is important to know what you are doing wrong and why and what you are doing right. In the workplace an MT needs to work with a high percent of accuracy at between 98-99%. When MTs fall below that accuracy level, they are putting their jobs in risk. In a program, a MT should get immediate feedback on-line after each lesson. In other words, you will have the support of a trained instructor throughout the entire program, and this is imperative for your success.

MT course should offer extensive transcription practice. It is my experience that practice makes perfect. Working MTs come across a variety of difficult accents and medical specialties and without enough practice with real world dictation, the new MT could struggle in the real work environment.

MT course should offer a great deal of real world dictation practice by real doctors. The dictation you will be transcribing comes from a variety of specialties and includes very difficult dictators. It is important to get enough practice while in school so that when you graduate, you will be able to handle the most difficult types of dictation.