How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist in New York
If you have exceptional writing, listening, and critical thinking skills, pay close attention to detail, and are looking to begin a career in the healthcare industry, consider becoming a medical transcriptionist.
Once you complete the necessary training program at a New York trade school, you’ll be able to qualify for a well-paying medical transcriptionist job in a New York hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility.
Education and Training
Wondering how to become a medical transcriptionist in New York? Step one is for high school graduates and GED recipients to enroll in an accredited education program at a community college or trade school.
Certificate and Associate’s Degree Programs
Some institutions allow students to obtain their medical transcriptionist certificate in as little as nine months. However, most people prefer to earn a two-year associate’s degree.
Standard Coursework
Along with learning how to use various word processing programs and computer software systems, those who attend medical transcriptionist programs in New York typically take classes such as:
- Medical Terminology
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Office Pharmacology
- Administrative Office Management
- Medical Transcription
- Healthcare Documentation
- Legal Aspects of Medical Transcription
- Medical Information Processing
- Small Group Communication
- Advanced Keyboarding
- Professional and Medical Ethics
Hands-On Learning
Labs may include transcription templates, mock patient files, and sample audio recordings that instructors use for training purposes. To pass your final exam, you may need to review a collection of medical notes and create an accurate transcription using these tools.
New York Medical Transcriptionist Requirements
The state of New York has no official licensing requirements for medical transcriptionists, so you can qualify for a job in the industry as soon as you complete your training program.
Standard Hiring Requirements
Most hospitals, medical research labs, and clinics will expect you to pass a background check and drug screening before hiring you.
Certification Options
Becoming a certified medical transcriptionist can improve your chances of finding a well-paying job. Those who have recently graduated from an accredited program can apply for their Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) credential from the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI).
The AHDI Exam
Once you pay the required fee and submit your application and transcripts, you can register to take the AHDI’s in-person or online certification exam. You can also find test prep materials to help you study in the weeks leading up to your scheduled test date.
Once you pass the exam, your medical transcription credential will remain valid for three years.
License Renewal and Additional Credentials
As you gain more experience in the medical transcription field, you can choose to renew your license at the end of the three years or obtain a new credential to qualify for a specialized, higher-paying position.
The AHDI also proctors exams for experience transcriptionists hoping to become Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialists (CHDS) or Certified Healthcare Documentation Professionals (CHDP).
Medical Transcriptionist Salaries in NY
While the average medical assistant salary in New York State is about $37,209, annual earnings vary depending on your education, experience, and location. Average regional salary information for some of New York’s larger areas is as follows:
- New York City $38,120
- Ithaca $40,845
- Buffalo $43,054
- Long Island $40,415
- Yonkers $32,956
As you gain experience as a medical transcriptionist, your employer may offer performance-based bonuses and raises that boost your annual earnings to about $50k per year. Having more experience can also allow you to negotiate higher salaries when applying for jobs.
Job Description
What Do They Do?
Medical transcriptionists are responsible for converting patient care notes into written medical records. Doctors, nursing staff, and other healthcare workers use dictated notes or voice audio recordings to document the various examinations, tests, procedures, and medications a patient receives.
Transcribers then listen to those recordings and create the formal reports that the medical records technician files.
Additional Tasks and Tools Used
Although some clinics and doctor’s offices may still have a paper system, facilities require medical transcriptionists to use specific equipment to perform their tasks. Some of the most common tools of the trade include:
- State-of-the-art computer setup with internet access, ad blockers, spyware removal utility, and anti-virus programs
- Digital voice recorder and dictation recording equipment
- Microphones and headphones
- Insurance company directory
- Electronic medical dictionary
- Drug and pharmaceutical reference guide
- Medical specialty book
- Document shredder
Remaining HIPPA-Compliant
Medical transcriptionists in NY also need specific software on their laptops or desktop computers. For example, you’ll need to install approved document filing, editing, and audio playback programs to do this job.
HIPPA-compliant digital security software is also a must when it comes to preventing computer system hacks and keeping each patient’s medical information private.
Career Outlook
Despite an expected seven-percent decrease in the demand for medical transcriptionist jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that about 9,300 transcriptionist employment opportunities will become available each year between 2021 and 2031. Those looking for medical transcriptionist jobs in New York typically have an easier time finding work if they have an official degree and certification.