The Hindu Business Line : AAMT certification for medical transcriptionists

The American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT) has said it would soon launch an entry-level certification programme for medical transcriptionists in India, and also plans to start discussions with education institutions to introduce medical transcription programmes in course curriculum.

"Although India is amongst the largest provider of medical transcription services to the US, the professionals in this field depend mostly on in-house training. There is no standardised way for companies to judge the proficiency level of their transcriptionists. We plan to introduce Registered Medical Transcriptionists (RMT) examinations in India in September," Mr Peter Preziosi, Executive Director of AAMT, said.

He said the new test would be offered through Thomson Prometric centres in National Capital Region, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Trivandrum.

"The tests would enable medical transcription companies to assess the quality of manpower and in certain cases even clients may mandate such a certification. For the candidates who undergo the examination, it brings tremendous value to their resume, as the certification is portable and not specific to a particular company," he said.

Mr Peter Preziosi said candidates with two years of experience in the field or those who had undergone formal training in medical transcription were eligible to sit for the entry level exam.

At present, India and the Philippines are the primary locations and medical transcription services, although work is also done in Ireland, Canada and the Caribbean.

Mr Preziosi said the Philippines had medical transcription courses running in educational institutions, while India, despite being an early entrant in the market still depended on-the-job-training for its professionals. "We are also initiating discussions with educational institutions to introduce medical transcription programmes in course curriculum," he said.

Although MT professionals currently have the option to take Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) examinations, Mr Preziosi pointed out that candidates often found it tough to clear these tests given the accent difference.

"The accent difference in dictation by a doctor in the US, at times leads to speed differences in transcription. Hence we are introducing RMT as the entry-level certification now," he said.

Currently Medical transcription companies offer in house training programme for their employees. These programmes cover aspects such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, basic computer skills, proficiency in English and grammar, ethical and medico legal issues amongst others.

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