Medical transcribing is just one of the many exciting career options available in Missouri’s
healthcare field. If you’re looking for an exciting career in healthcare documentation in Missouri, you may want to consider becoming a medical transcriptionist. Your work will involve translating audio recordings made by physicians and other healthcare professionals into written form. The work can be performed in the office of a healthcare practitioner, or may be done from the comfort of your home. Below are some guidelines to get you started on a rewarding career as a medical transcriptionist in Missouri.
Medical Transcription Training and Education Requirements in Missouri
Medical transcription schools in Missouri offer programs at the certificate and associate’s degree levels. Some schools offer an online certificate program in medical transcribing. Both certificate and associate’s degree programs equip students with the basic skills required for an entry-level job in the field. Key areas covered during training include medical terminology, computer applications for records keeping, healthcare documentation, ethics, medical coding, and voice recognition technology. Certificate programs are designed to be completed in 12 months, while associate’s degree programs require 2 years to complete. Whatever your program preference, be sure to select a school that offers internship opportunities. By completing an internship, you will build vital practical experience to facilitate your entry into the job market.
Medical Transcription Certification Requirements in Missouri
Missouri has no formal certification requirements for medical transcriptionists. Nonetheless, certification significantly boosts professional growth. At the national level, the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) awards the Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) and the Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist (CHDS) credentials to transcriptionists who pass the certification exams. If you are just getting started on your medical transcriptionist career, and hold limited work experience, the RHDS certification is recommended. Medical transcriptionists who have been working for longer in the field should seek the CHDS certification. In both cases, candidates must take a written exam and practical test to ascertain skill set possessed.
Missouri State Licensing Requirements
Like most states, Missouri does not have licensure requirements for medical transcriptionists. However, to obtain information on practicing requirements, it is best to check with the Missouri Division of Professional Registration. They will advise you on specific requirements to be met in order to practice as a medical transcriptionist.
Medical Transcription Certification and Continuing Education
Once you have earned your AHDI credentials in Missouri, you must maintain an active status. This will involve taking a recertification exam or completing continuing education courses. To find out more about testing dates and recognized centers in Missouri, check with the AHDI website.
Medical Transcriptionist Job Prospects and Potential Pay
The cities that offer the highest percentage of medical transcription jobs are St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City and St. Louis. By comparison, cities offering the lowest percentage of jobs are Columbia and Springfield. Medical transcriptionists working in large metro areas, such as St. Louis and Kansas City, earn the highest salaries. Salaries for medical transcriptionists in Missouri range from $30,000 for those at the lower end of the scale, to as much as $34,700, for top earners.
Resources
Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI)
Missouri Health Information Exchange