Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is medical transcription (MT)? What does an MT do? [Top]
Medical transcription is the industry that renders doctor dictated reports, procedures, and notes into an electronic or paper format in order to create files representing the treatment history of patients. Health practitioners dictate what they have done after performing procedures on patients.
2. Do I need to be a good typist to be a medical transcriptionist? [Top]
If you have average typing skills and a desire to learn, then we will take care of the rest. Our Keyboard Kinetics is designed to help you increase your typing speed and your accuracy, both of which are vital to the success of a medical transcriptionist.
3. What is the job market for a medical transcriptionist? [Top]
A well-qualified conscientious medical transcriptionist, according to all the latest information, has a secure future. There is a huge demand for such MT's throughout North America. With international services hiring, location is not an issue and with an aging population there is no end in sight for the growing need for MT's.
4. How much can I earn as a medical transcriptionist? [Top]
Most at-home positions are based on productivity; you determine how much or how little you make by your own hard work and desire. Most onsite positions are based on either an hourly rate or annual salary. This chart will give you an idea of what you can expect to make as a Medical Transcriptionist. This is figured at a Starting Rate of 8 cents per line. The dollar figure is the Gross Annual Income.
| Days Worked per Week | Number of Lines Typed Per Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | 1000 | 1500 | 2000 | |
| 2 | $4,160 | $8,320 | $12,480 | $16,640 |
| 3 | $6,240 | $12,480 | $18,720 | $24,960 |
| 4 | $8,320 | $16,640 | $24,960 | $33,280 |
| 5 | $10,400 | $20,800 | $31,200 | $41,600 |
5. What type of student support can I expect? [Top]
You have access to CanScribe's student services department. It exists to help students with anything they might need. We can answer questions about the course and any problems or confusing issues students may have. Whether students are learning from home or on campus, we will follow up with you on a regular basis to ensure that you are staying on-track with your studies and offer tips and encouragement to help you successfully complete your course. We monitor the forum and chat rooms and focus on the issues that students bring up. We welcome correspondence from students and try to be responsive to their concerns in a timely manner. We see ourselves as instructors, mentors, trainers, and supporters, here to address whatever needs the students may have relative to the course and to the goal of becoming working medical transcriptionists.
6. How much practice transcription is included in the course? [Top]
There are 35 hours of authentic doctor dictated reports for you to transcribe. These include reports from a huge cross section of medical specialties covering all work types. As you progress in your studies and gain further knowledge and skills, the reports increase in difficulty.
7. How long does it take to finish the course? [Top]
The course takes approximately 1170 hours to complete for those who have little or no computer, medical terminology or anatomy knowledge or experience. The average completion time is 12 months. This can be accomplished by studying a minimum of 21.5 hours a week. Through conscientious transcription of the medical reports in the course, you will become fully qualified to work as a professional medical transcriptionist. The official enrolment period is one year. Limited extensions may be available at an extra cost.
8. How is the final exam administered? [Top]
When you have completed your practical work experience, you are ready to write your final exam. You will be given 48 hours to complete the exam. Our experienced medical transcription instructors will carefully evaluate your exam. You must achieve 90% or higher in order to pass. If your score is less than 90%, you have 2 opportunities to retake the exam again.
9. How soon will I receive my materials? [Top]
Students will receive a password by e-mail and may start the Online Course immediately. You do not need to wait for the foot pedal or head set to start the course. These materials are shipped via courier and should arrive within 2 weeks of your course start date.
10. What are the benefits of taking an Online Course? [Top]
Online learning offers a great opportunity to improve your computer skills and develop your medical transcription skills and knowledge faster. Our online course is separated into chapters and sessions, threading course topics throughout, while offering these unique features:
Pronunciation words – Thousands of medical terms are available through your Stedman’s license.
Automatic graders – Exercises and tests are graded for you. Test scores are stored in the grade book for your review. Graders are precise, encouraging you to further develop your typing skills and attention to detail.
Modern Technology – Our online course uses the newest in transcription technology, allowing you to play dictation files via proprietary software. A transcription foot pedal and headset are included with the course. No other equipment is required.
Communications Center – The online course includes its own forums and chat rooms available to all students. This gives you access to communicate with other online students and CanScribe staff.
24-hour access – The online course is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can study whenever you want to.
11. What equipment do I need? [Top]
If you take the course on campus, everything is provided. If you take the course as distance learning, you will need a computer and Internet access. You must have a computer with speakers, an available USB port and Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Word and Excel) loaded onto your computer. We also recommend that you have high speed Internet. This is not a requirement to take the course, but if you are interested in working from home, all employers require high speed Internet.
12. What is your refund policy? [Top]
Refund policy for students (As outlined in section 37 of the October 2012 PCTIA Bylaws)
37.5. An institution's tuition and fee refund policy is subject to the minimum requirements set out herein. In the event that the terms of an institution's policy conflict with or are silent on a matter addressed in these Bylaws, the Bylaws will prevail.
37.6. A student may be entitled to a refund of tuition fees in the event that:
37.6.1. The student provides written notice to the institution that he or she is withdrawing from the program; or
37.6.2. The institution provides written notice to the student advising that the student has been dismissed from the program.
37.7. The written notice of withdrawal or dismissal may be delivered in any manner provided that a receipt or other verification is available that indicates the date on which the notice is delivered.
37.8. The notice of withdrawal or dismissal is deemed to be effective from the date it is delivered.
37.9. The refund to which a student is entitled is calculated on the total tuition fees due under the contract. Where total tuition fees have not yet been collected, the institution is not responsible for refunding more than has been collected to date and a student may be required to make up for monies due under the contract.
37.10. If the institution has received fees in excess of the amount it is entitled to under the student contract, the excess amount must be refunded.
Refund policy for students:
37.11.1. Refunds before the program of study begins:
37.11.1.1. If written notice of withdrawal is received by the institution within 7 days after the contract is made, and before the commencement of the period of instruction specified in the contract, the institution may retain 5% of the total tuition and fees due under the contract to a maximum of $250.
37.11.1.2. If written notice of withdrawal is received by the institution 30 days or more before the commencement of the period of instruction specified in the contract and more than 7 days after the contract was made, the institution may retain 10% of total tuition only due under the contract to a maximum of $1000.
37.11.1.3. Subject to Section 37.11.1.1, if written notice of withdrawal is received by the institution less than 30 days before the commencement of the period of instruction specified in the contract, and more than 7 days after the contract was made, the institution may retain 20% of the total tuition only, due under the contract to a maximum of $1300.
37.12. Refunds after the program of study starts:
37.12.1. If written notice of withdrawal is received by the institution or a student is dismissed up to and including 10% of the period of instruction specified in the contract has elapsed, the institution may retain 30% of the tuition due under the contract.
37.12.2. If written notice of withdrawal is received by the institution, or a student is dismissed where more than 10% and up to and including 30% of the period of instruction specified in the contract has elapsed, the institution may retain 50% of the tuition due under the contract.
37.12.3. If a student withdraws or is dismissed where more than 30% of the period of instruction specified in the contract has elapsed, no refund is required.
37.13. Where a student did not meet the institutional and/or program specific minimum requirements for admission through no misrepresentation or fault of their own, the institution must refund all tuition and fees paid under the contract, less the applicable non-refundable student application or registration fee.
37.14. Where a student withdraws or is dismissed from their program, they are entitled to 100% refund of any as-yet to be received consumables that have been pre-paid.
37.15. Where a student withdraws or is dismissed from their program after receiving technical equipment from the institution free of charge:
37.15.1. The student must return the equipment unopened or as issued within 14 calendar days; and
37.15.2. If the student fails to return the equipment as set out above, the institution may deduct the reasonable cost of the equipment from any amount to be refunded to the student.
37.16. Refunds owed to students must be paid within 30 days of the institution receiving written notification of withdrawal and all required supporting documentation, or within 30 days of an institution's written notice of dismissal.
37.17. Where the delivery of the program of study is through home study or distance education, refunds must be based on the percent of the program of study completed at the rates as set out in Section 37.12.
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14. What is the eBook Upgrade? [Top]
The eBook Upgrade is a digital version of the course curriculum which can be downloaded onto a tablet, which then allows for portability of your studies when you happen to be away from the computer. The eBook Upgrade is an optional upgrade to the program and is not required for successful completion. If you are interested in purchasing the eBook Upgrade, please contact CanScribe via email at info@canscribe.com or call us toll-free at 1-800-466-1535.
15. What is the Dictation Upgrade? [Top]
The Dictation Upgrade is a collection of 75 authentic doctor dictations and their accompanying answer keys. This tool is intended to help you build your listening ear throughout your training by listening to the reports while viewing the transcribed text. The Dictation Upgrade is an optional upgrade to the program and is not required for successful completion. If you are interested in purchasing the Dictation Upgrade, please contact CanScribe via email at info@canscribe.com or call us toll-free at 1-800-466-1535.
16. I am already familiar with some of the subjects taught in the program, can I skip them? [Top]
The CanScribe MT program is competency based—meaning you move on to the next level when you are competent in the material being taught. Many of our students have previous experience in several of the concepts taught in the program. Although you cannot skip any chapters in the course, you are able to challenge any unit tests and exercises. We recommend you achieve a minimum of 90% on all tests and exercises before you continue on in the course. Every test and exercise can be taken multiple times.
