Medical transcriptionist certification is a way to prove that you have completed your medical transcription training. While formal certification is not always required to work in the field, many employers prefer to hire people who have either certification or a degree in medical transcription. Certification also opens the door to more job opportunities and higher pay. The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) in the United States offers two levels of certification: Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) and Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) (CMT).
A medical transcriptionist’s primary responsibility is to convert patient notes dictated a physician or other medical professional into written records. Typically, the job necessitates a high level of attention to detail, the ability to work quickly, and advanced knowledge of modern technology. Medical treatments and procedures, as well as relevant legal terms, must be familiar to a transcriptionist. He or she could work as an independent contractor for a medical transcription company, a doctor’s office, or a hospital.
The majority of medical transcriptionists must complete a degree program. AHDI has published a list of its approved transcription schools in the United States. In order to pursue medical transcriptionist certification as an RMT or CMT in the United States, a certificate of completion from one of these schools may be required. There are also AHDI testing centers all over the world that offer both the RMT and CMT exams to those who are eligible.
The RMT certification is a newer type of medical transcriptionist certification than the CMT. It is designed for entry-level professionals with less than two years of experience who have completed a degree program. RMT certification is also recommended for practitioners working in so-called single-specialty settings, such as private practice or radiology. The RMT is valid for three years, after which it must be renewed either retaking the certification exam or taking a re-credentialing course.
The designation of CMT denotes the next level of medical transcriptionist certification. Candidates for the CMT exam must have worked in an acute care or multi-specialty environment for at least two years in addition to having a degree. The CMT designation, like the RMT, is only good for three years. It can be renewed if certain continuing education courses are completed.
Medical transcriptionist certification comes with a number of benefits. Certification can open doors to more advanced professional opportunities, just as it can in other similar occupations. Formal certification may be required for certain positions in the future, and it can help confirm someone’s level of experience if they want to start their own company. Furthermore, certification can help address concerns about privacy breaches and incompetence in the field; one of the main goals of medical transcriptionist certification is to ensure that records are completed accurately and discreetly.