Florida

How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist in Florida

As an integral part of the healthcare team, medical transcriptionists are responsible for turning audio recordings from physicians and other healthcare practitioners into official medical documentation. With modern technological advancements, transcriptionists are also often responsible for proofreading and editing documents made using voice-recognition software. Those working in the field will need to have good listening and writing skills as well as knowledge of word processing software and health information technology.

Other, more specialized knowledge medical transcriptionists use on a regular basis include an understanding of anatomy and physiology, disease processes, pharmacology, diagnostic and surgical procedures, medical terminology and medical abbreviations. Since healthcare records represent a form of legal documentation, medical transcriptionists will need to have a working understanding of the appropriate types of reports and their formatting. They will also be responsible for adherence to all regulations within the healthcare industry. As such, an ability to give attention to small details is an asset to anyone considering this career choice.

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Regulations for Medical Transcriptionists in Florida

Most states do not require licensure for medical transcriptionists and Florida is no exception. Educational requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent as well as completion of an appropriate training course. Training can be done either in person or online and generally takes anywhere from a few weeks to a year.

Florida Programs for Medical Transcriptionists

Since Florida does not have an in-person training program for medical transcription, those who wish to pursue the proper training will need to seek an online program. A few possibilities include:

  • Ashworth College offers a training program for medical transcriptionists. The program promises to prepare students for certification through the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) and includes the examination fee within the price. Lessons consist of online coursework with 35 hours of physician dictation for practice.
  • Meditec ™ offers a certificate program for medical transcription with up to one year of access for training. They promise students will receive detailed medical terminology training and practice dictations from physicians. Instructors will be available for consultation throughout the course.

Optional Certifications for Career Advancement

As mentioned, credentialing is available through the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI). The ADHI’s Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) credential is a popular choice among those wishing to advance their potential within a crowded career field. Obtaining this credential requires the ability to pass an examination consisting of multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blank listening exercises and a sample dictation.

Earning and Growth Potential in Florida

There appears to be a reasonable potential for the career path in the state of Florida. Data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a mean annual salary of $35,440 reported by medical transcriptionists in Florida in 2018, while nationwide the reported average salary the same year was $36,350. Even better, Florida is listed by the BLS as the state with the highest level of employment in the nation.

Career growth also appears to be possible within the state. The state is predicted to experience a 12.4 percent growth between the years 2016 and 2026, according to Projections Central, even as the industry is experiencing a nationwide decline of 3.3 percent over the same time period.

Florida Opportunities for Medical Transcriptionists

A career in medical transcription has good potential for self-employment either through freelance work or business ownership. According to the BLS, industries with the best earnings potential are local governments, accounting agencies and laboratories, while the highest concentration of transcriptionists can be found working in business support services. A few potential employers in Florida include Med Trans, Inc., Quest Diagnostics and Jessie Trice Community Healthcare Center.