Take the Challenge and Become a CMT (Certified Medical Transcriptionist)
By Ricci Mathew | On April 16, 2008 | In Medicine | Rated 
Certified MT (medical transcription) professionals are always in demand and can earn well. Modern technology has also opened for them the option of being able to work from home at flexible hours. Certifications from respected and authoritative bodies always get the due recognition within an industry. Even though it is not required to be a CMT (Certified Medical Transcriptionist) for getting a transcription job, many do aspire for it.
A good MT (medical transcription) professional is always in demand and can earn well. Modern technology has also opened for them the option of being able to work from home at flexible hours. Certifications from respected and authoritative bodies always get the due recognition within an industry. Even though it is not required to be a CMT (Certified Medical Transcriptionist) for getting a transcription job, many do aspire for it. The exam is a challenge and requires one to invest time, energy and money to prepare and get through it.
CMT is a voluntary certification exam for medical transcription and is conducted by the AHDI (Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity) formerly known as the American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT) and established in 1978. The objective of such a certification is indeed to have a high professional and ethical standard in the MT industry. CMT designation is given after successfully passing the AHDI certification exam for MT professionals who must have a minimal two years of experience in an acute care / or equivalent setting within a hospital.
The CMT exam has both medical transcription-related knowledge items and transcription performance items inclusive of transcribing dictation, editing, and proofreading. The exam can be taken world wide at selected Thomson Prometric test centers. Results can be seen online immediately after the exam is taken. Once certified the certificate is valid only for three years. Recertification is available after payment of the fee and earning a minimum of 30 continuing education credits.
CMT is a two part exam, the first part being a written examination that consists of 120 multiple choice questions to be completed in 3 hours time. Only passing of this first part makes us eligible to write the second part of the exam and tests the actual ability to transcribe real life physician dictations.
The author of this article is Ricci Mathew of OSI (Outsource Strategies International), a US based company that offers services in Medical Coding, Medical Billing and Medical Transcription for clients across the US.
The author of this article is Ricci Mathew of OSI (Outsource Strategies International), a US based company that offers services in Medical Coding, Medical Billing and Medical Transcription for clients across the US.