FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What credentials do I need to work for MedGarde?
MedGarde is not a medical transcription school. As such, we require proof of graduation from a medical transcription training program prior to hire. If you’re a student currently enrolled in an academic program, be sure to refrain from applying until proof of graduation can be obtained by MedGarde directly from your school.
Individuals who received medical training on-the-job and can substantiate a minimum 3 year work history as a medical transcriptionist can also be considered. However, please note that if you previously held any of the positions listed below and you were not actively transcribing as your core job responsibility, your experience will not qualify you for consideration by MedGarde:
- Nurse
- Medical Assistant
- Physician
- Medical Secretary
- Legal Secretary
- Court Reporter
- General Transcriptionist
- Medical Billing Specialist
- Medical Coder
I don't have the necessary training. Where can I get it?
If you’re seeking training to become a medical transcriptionist, we encourage you to visit any of the schools listed below. These institutions offer a variety of classroom and home-based training options. All of these schools are jointly endorsed by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI – formerly the AAMT):
- Medical Transcription Education Center
- The Andrews School
- Career Step
- Lakeshore Technical College
- TRS Institute
- Exact Med Transcription Training
- CanScribe Career Centre
- Central Texas College
- Everett Community College
- Andrews & Holbrook Training
- Seminole Community College
- Richland Community College
For more information about becoming a medical transcriptionist, please visit AHDI by clicking here. Good luck with your studies!
Do I have to be certified?
MedGarde encourages transcriptionists to seek certification, but certification is not a prerequisite to hire – having the proper educational requirements is the prerequisite to hire.
What are the technical requirements?
- A high speed internet connection in the form of DSL, cable or T1. Satellite connections are incompatible with our system.
- Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Vista. Our system is incompatible with Macintosh computers.
- Microsoft Word (version 2000, 2002, XP, 2003 or 2007).
Do I need reference books?
Yes! Transcribing without references is like trying to transcribe without a keyboard – it simply can’t be done. Medicine is a complex and diverse field that changes from day to day. This is what makes the transcription field so exciting and interesting. New medications and procedures become available all the time. To maintain accuracy, references are an essential tool. Reference materials are available here.
How much work would I be responsible for?
MedGarde transcriptionists are required to transcribe a minimum of 30 minutes of dictation five days per week.
How much time do I have to do the work?
MedGarde’s standard turnaround time for most clients is 24 hours. Some accounts have a shorter turnaround time. The specific turnaround time will vary from account to account based on the requirements of the client.
Will I have to transcribe for doctors with accents?
Possibly. Depending on the account you’re assigned to, there could be doctors who speak English as a second language (ESL). However, transcriptionists need not fear ESL dictation as our support team provides excellent tools to help you decode any unfamiliar dictation. This support, combined with feedback from our proofreading staff, works to make ESL dictation as routine as non-ESL dictation.
