Rasmussen College – Medical Transcription Associate’s Degree

Rasmussen College

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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a good job outlook for medical transcriptionists in the next several years. The demand for these individuals has been growing steadily due to the general increased workload on healthcare professionals, who are getting more work because of the increase and the aging of the population.

Medical transcriptionists are the people responsible for typing out the recorded notes dictated by medical doctors or other healthcare professionals. Their job is to add to the patients’ permanent medical record, or write out correspondence between professionals. The job is straightforward but it carries a lot of responsibility, as these transcribed notes are used as records of the patients’ treatments and diagnoses. Autopsy findings are also transcribed by medical transcriptionists, and other records that may be used as evidence by lawyers and law enforcement.

Medical transcriptionists have to be able to work quickly and accurately, editing for clarity without losing any important information. They have to be able to communicate clearly with the people they are working for, as often they are not in the same office. They must possess the knowledge of medical terminology so that their notes are the reflection of the doctor’s dictation.

It’s possible to become a medical transcriptionist on the job. Often, medical assistants or front office secretaries take on the job of transcribing in addition to their duties. But as the demand for treatment grows, it’s becoming more and more important for clinics and private practices to hire people who already have the skills necessary to do the job.

About the Program

Rasmussen College offers an certification in medical transcription both on-campus and online. From the comfort and convenience of your own home, you can become a medical transcriptionist, able to take advantage of a stable and growing occupational field. Certification assures potential employers that you have the necessary skills to be part of their team.

The program includes courses in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pathology and medical ethics. It also offers courses in the practical side of the job: transcription, medical office procedures and keyboarding. Other useful courses will also teach the student how to develop his or her career.

Accreditation

Rasmussen College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized organization.

Student Requirements

A high school diploma, GED or other proof of high-school level proficiency may be required to get into Rasmussen College’s medical transcription certification program. Transfer credits may be accepted. Contact a school representative for more information.

Tuition Information

Tuition for the certificate in the medical transcription program ranges from campus to campus, from about $12,500 per academic year at the North Dakota, Illinois, Wisconsin and Florida campuses to about $15,000 per academic year at the Minnesota campuses, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Online pricing is comparable; check with a school representative for more accurate figures.

Qualified applicants may be eligible for several types of financial aid, including federal loan, Pell and SEOG grants, as well as state loans, private loans and scholarships. Rasmussen College also offers a military tuition discount.

School Locations

Rasmussen College has 14 campuses distributed through Illinois, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Florida. The campuses that offer the medical transcription program include the Bismarck and Fargo, North Dakota campuses; the Brooklyn Park, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Lake Elmo and Mankato, Minnesota campuses; the Green Bay, Wisconsin campus; the Ocala and Pasco City, Florida campuses; and the Rockford and St. Cloud, Illinois campuses. The course is also offered online.

General Information

Rasmussen College is a private, for-profit institution specializing in the training of people who wish to get certificates, degrees and training for certain specialized professions. Started more than a century ago as Rasmussen Practical School of Business by Walter Rasmussen in St. Paul, Minnesota, the school evolved to offer more courses and has spread to more campuses in the Midwest and Florida.

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