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 both CanScribe and Career Step's student services departments. They exist 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 800 authentic doctor dictated reports for you to transcribe. These include reports from a huge cross section of medical specialties and are broken down into Clinic Notes, Basic Acute Care and Advanced Acute Care.
7. How long does it take to finish the course? [Top]
The course takes approximately 1070 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 20 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 the course, you contact CanScribe and request your final exam. You will be emailed the web address for the online exam and have 48 hours to complete it. The computer initially grades your exam, but you do not need to fear that your exam score depends on the judgments of a computer. Our instructors, human beings with medical transcription experience, will carefully evaluate your exam. You must achieve an 85% or higher in order to pass. If your score is less than 85%, 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 units and sessions, threading course topics throughout, while offering these unique features:
Pronunciation words – Thousands of medical terms are pronounced for you at the click of a button using the real audio software included with your Windows operating system. Pronunciation words are available in alphabetical order from the library and are highlighted throughout the course when they appear as part of the text.
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 download mp3 files and to play practice dictation via software and a transcription foot pedal attached to your computer. No other equipment is required.
Communications Center – The online course includes its own forum for use by online students and a live chat room, giving you private tools to communicate with other online students and student counsellors.
24-hour access – The online course is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can study whenever you want to.
Flexible Study – Work through the units as outlined or use the library to review books or topic areas.
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]
Refunds in Cases of Withdrawal or Dismissal
Written Notice
To initiate a refund, written notice must be provided:
- By a student to the institution when the student withdraws, or
- By the institution to the student where the institution dismisses a student.
Refund Entitlement
Refund entitlement is calculated on the total fees due under the contract, less the applicable non-refundable application or registration fee. Where total 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.
Refund policy for students:
Refunds before the program of study begins:
- If written notice of withdrawal is received by the institution less than seven (7) calendar days after the contract is made, and before the commencement of the period of instruction specified in the contract, the institution may retain the lesser of 10% of the total fees due under the contract or $100.
- If written notice of withdrawal is received by the institution thirty (30) calendar days or more before the commencement of the period of instruction specified in the contract, the institution may retain the lesser of 10% of the total fees due under the contract, or $500.
- If written notice of withdrawal is received by the institution less than thirty (30) calendar days before the commencement of the period of instruction specified in the contract, the institution may retain the lesser of 20% of the total fees due under the contract, or $1000.
Refunds after the program of study starts:
- If written notice of withdrawal is received by the institution, or a student is dismissed, within 10% of the period of instruction specified in the contract, the institution may retain 30% of the total fees due under the contract.
- If written notice of withdrawal is received by the institution, or a student is dismissed, after 10% and before 30% of the period of instruction specified in the contract, the institution may retain 50% of the total fees due under the contract.
- If a student withdraws or is dismissed after 30% of the period of instruction specified in the contract, no refund is required.
Other Refund Policy Requirements:
- Where a student is deemed not to have met the institutional and/or program specific minimum requirements for admission, the institution must refund all fees paid under the contract, less the applicable non-refundable application or registration fee.
- Where an institution provides technical equipment to a student, without cost to the student, and the student withdraws or is dismissed, the institution may charge the student for the equipment or use of the equipment on a cost recovery basis, unless the student returns the equipment unopened or as issued within fourteen (14) calendar days.
- Refunds owing to students must be paid within thirty (30) calendar days of the institution receiving written notification of withdrawal and all required supporting documentation, or within thirty (30) calendar days of an institution's written notice of dismissal.
- 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 specific to Part IV I. 4(b) of the PCTIA Bylaws.
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14. What is the Text Companion? [Top]
The Text Companion is a printed version of the objective portion of the program, which allows for portability of your studies when you happen to be away from the computer. The Text Companion is an optional upgrade to the program and is not required for successful completion. If you are interested in purchasing the Text Companion, please contact CanScribe via email at info@canscribe.com or call us toll-free at 1-800-466-1535.
15. What is the Transcription Companion? [Top]
The Transcription Companion is a collection of CDs containing 69 reports and their accompanying 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 Transcription Companion is an optional upgrade to the program and is not required for successful completion. If you are interested in purchasing the Transcription Companion, 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 units in the course, you are able to challenge any unit test in the course. As long as you achieve at minimum of 85% on the test, you can continue to move forward in the course.
