Maryland

Medical Transcriptionists in Maryland

Working as a medical transcriptionist requires a keen eye for detail as well as good writing and listening skills. The primary responsibility of those in the field is to listen to audio recordings from physicians and other healthcare providers and convert them into official typewritten medical documentation. With today’s modern technology, transcriptionists are also increasingly required to read and edit medical documents generated using voice recognition software.

Medical transcriptionists will need to acquire certain specialized skills through participation in a reputable training program, including a working knowledge of word processing software, health information software, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures, medical abbreviations, common disease processes and medical terminology. Transcriptionists will also need to have ongoing knowledge of current legal and confidentiality requirements for medical charting and ensure constant compliance with them.

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Medical Transcription Regulations in Maryland

Maryland does not have a requirement for licensure for medical transcriptionists, nor is there a specific oversight committee for the profession. In order to work in the field, though, a candidate will need to meet certain educational requirements. Apart from a high school diploma or equivalent, which is generally a prerequisite for most programs, specialized training will need to be acquired through the completion of a certification program. Training usually takes anywhere from several weeks to one year.

Maryland Medical Transcription Programs

A couple of training programs located within the state include:

  • University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) offers medical transcription training. The program promises to cover the nine major report types and their components as well as to provide a review of grammar and the clinical knowledge needed to work in the field. Students will be able to practice with downloadable hands-on exercises throughout the course.
  • Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) offers an exploration course for those interested in medical transcription. Topics include types of medical reports, grammar and technology reviews, an overview of editing and medical terminology.

Additional Certifications to Seek for Career Advancement

Though optional, acquiring additional certifications is a great way to stand out in a crowded career field, as it shows a high degree of competence and professionalism to potential employers. A well-know organization in the field for additional credentialing is the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI). Their Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) designation can be obtained through passing an exam consisting of multiple-choice questions, listening exercises and a sample transcription.

Career Growth and Salary in Maryland

Maryland is a good state to start a career as a medical transcriptionist, as it’s a leader in both projected growth potential and salaries. According to data from Projections Central, the state should experience a 15.2 percent growth in medical transcription jobs between the years 2016 and 2026, even while a 3.3 percent decline is expected nationally.

For salaries, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a mean annual salary of $43,070 in Maryland in 2018 for medical transcriptionists, which compares favorably to the national reported mean of $36,350 for the same year. In fact, the BLS lists Maryland as one of the top five highest-paying states in the nation for the profession.

Opportunities for Medical Transcriptionists in Maryland

The highest paying industries for medical transcriptionists, according to the BLS, are local governments, accounting services, medical and diagnostic laboratories, dental offices and hospitals. However, data also shows most transcriptionists are employed by business support services, physicians’ offices, hospitals and offices of other healthcare practitioners. This career path also has strong potential for self employment and business ownership.

A few potential employers within the state of Maryland include My Medical Assisting Career, Quest Diagnostics, Army National Guard, Manpower, Fallsgrove Endoscopy Center and Ultimate.