What equipment will I need?
- A computer, but nothing fancy (as a transcriptionist, you will
essentially be word processing).
- A means of hearing the dictation. Course material includes access
to WavPlayer technology, which transmits dictation through the
speakers connected to your computer. A set of headphones is strongly recommended. We include a foot pedal for the stop,
play, and rewind features, so your fingers never have to leave
the keyboard.
- A good medical dictionary is included in our course materials.
You will also receive a copy of the latest edition of Saunders
Pharmaceutical Word Book, listing pharmaceutical names from traditional
as well as herbal and natural medicines.
Who do medical transcriptionists work for?
Potential clients are doctors’ offices, medical clinics, hospitals,
rehab centers, ambulance services, company medical centers (some
large companies have their own medical transcription departments),
and transcription services. MT’s may work as employees in-house
or from home as independent contractors. An MT may also acquire
his or her own clients and be self-employed. Because of the nature
of the work, you may reside in one part of the country and do transcription
for a facility in another part of the country.
How long does it take to finish the course?
The course takes approximately 350 to 400 hours to complete
for those who have no knowledge of medical terminology or anatomy.
The average completion time is Twelve months. This can be
accomplished by studying two to three hours a day, three to five
days a week. Extensions to the course are readily obtainable.
How much can I earn as a medical transcriptionist?
That varies a lot. This chart will give you the low end. This is
figured at the starting rate as an employee in the lowest-paid parts
in the country--between $0.05 and $0.06 cents per line. The dollar
figure is the gross annual income. You can make substantially more
if you type faster, work more, live in an area with higher rates
of pay, or acquire your own clients. For example, some MT’s
make more than $20 an hour.
Hours worked
per week |
Typing speed
Gross annual income |
| |
50 WPM |
60 WPM |
70 WPM |
80 WPM |
| 10 |
$6,240 |
$7,280 |
$8,840 |
$9,880 |
| 20 |
$12,480 |
$14,560 |
$17,680 |
$19,760 |
| 30 |
$18,720 |
$21,840 |
$26,520 |
$29,640 |
| 40 |
$24,960 |
$29,120 |
$35,360 |
$39,520 |
What are the advantages of the BCC Medical Transcription
Online program?
Among several advantages are the following:
- BCC does not specify a time or place for you to learn. This
means that you study when and where your schedule permits. The
online course is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- You learn in the electronic medium that is used on the job.
Training is offered in an online format with text support. Everything
you need is available online, but you have books if you need them,
and they are yours to keep; they become the foundation of your
medical transcription library.
- The course is competency based. The hundreds of real-world recorded
reports that you will be transcribing prepare you for employment,
once you pass the exam.
- Once you have graduated, we have a list of employers that hire from this course.
Some Funding Sources
Sallie Mae Career Training Loan
www.salliemae.com
Career Loan Programs
Key Bank (800) 828-3509
https://www.key.com/html/H-1.32.b4.html
Key Bank IT Skills Loan (888) 895-5626 http://www.itloan.com
Novell Career http://education.novell.com/loan
SLM Financial (800) 559-3220 http://www.slmfinancial.com
PLATO (800) 244-8750 https://www.wellsfargo.com/student/undergrad/
