Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Transcription

What is a medical transcriptionist?

Medical transcriptionists specialize in transcribing the dictation from healthcare providers and creating a quality healthcare document.

What salary can I make as a medical transcriptionist?

Earnings vary considerably. A May 2002 survey conducted by AAMT reported an average annual salary of $31,400. Additional information is available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics at the Department of Labor (http://www.bls.gov). Click ‘Wages by Area and Occupation’, then ‘For Over 700 Occupations’. Choose ‘31-0000 Healthcare Support Occupations’, then ‘31-9094 Medical Transcriptionists’. This will allow you to search for MT salaries in your own state and possibly even your own city.

Another, more recent survey reported in December 2004 by Advance Magazine for Health Information Professionals reveals that certified medical transcriptionists earned more than their noncertified counterparts. Their figure for the average MT salary was $32,847, and their report shows CMTs earning much more - an average of $43,551 annually.

An earlier survey, commissioned by AAMT in 1999 and performed by Hay Management Consultants, analyzed the profession and surveyed the salaries. Three distinct skill levels of medical transcriptionists were identified. Those in the second level earned $1 to $2 an hour more than beginning MTs, and those in level 3 earned yet another $1 to $2 per hour.

What are the admission requirements for TRS Institute?

You must be able to type 45 words per minute.
You must be able to pass a basic grammar test given by TRS Institute.

What makes TRS Institute different from other medical transcription courses?

How long does it take to complete your course?

The course takes approximately one year to complete – this includes a three-month externship.

What does the TRS Institute course include?

What is the cost of the TRS Institute medical transcription course?

The total cost of the TRS Institute Medical Transcription Training Program is $3596 if you pay in full up front.

TRSi© is the most comprehensive and inclusive program in the industry and includes:

For and additional fee of $399, two E-Z Payment Options are availible to you. Qualified military spouses are eligible for lower rates through the Military Spouse Program.

Does TRS Institute offer any help for me pay for my medical transcription course?

We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Payment plans are available for those who cannot pay in full and can be discussed with your admissions coordinator. 

Can I learn and work from home?

Most Medical Transcriptionist do, indeed, work from the privacy of their own homes. That fact is one of the reasons why this field of work is so popular. You never have to worry about a parking place or those high gas prices!

What is TRS Institute’s withdrawal/refund policy?

Refund Policy - Upon complete payment of your tuition, equipment and materials included in the cost of tuition will be yours to keep. We want students to have the opportunity to withdraw from the program with appropriate refund of tuition. As soon as equipment and materials are opened, we are unable to make any refund for those items. Defective items will be replaced if returned to us in the original packaging with accessories free from scratches, writing, or wear. Defective items can be returned for exchange but are subject to evaluation. Items showing signs of misuse are excluded, according to the discretion of the Director. Defects after 30 days from purchase are no longer eligible for exchange. Items returned must be shipped via traceable and insured method. The student is expected to have completed the course within one year and will not be entitled to a refund after one year from enrollment date.

Termination of course, rejection, or cancelled class – The applicant shall be entitled to refund of all money paid provided all equipment, books, and materials are returned to the school unopened and in usable condition. TRS Institute will pay the cost of shipping and handling in the case of rejected applicant or discontinued class.

Three-day cancellation - All money paid by an applicant will be refunded if requested within three days after signing an enrollment agreement and making an initial payment.

After delivery of Module I: Withdrawal after delivery of Module I but prior to delivery of Module II will result in a refund of 75% of tuition fees only.

After delivery of Module II but prior to delivery of Module III:  Withdrawal after delivery of Module II but prior to delivery of Module III will result in a refund of 50% of tuition fees only.  

After delivery of Module III: Withdrawal after delivery of Module III will result in no refund. The time allowed to complete Module III is 3 months.

Special cases - In the case of a documented special circumstance that makes it impossible to complete the course, the school shall make a settlement which is reasonable and fair to both. Any Student who is of minor age will require a guarantor who will be liable to TRS Institute for the fees, tuition, charges, etc., agreed to if the student should default in any payments thereof.

Changes in course catalog:  TRS Institute will attempt to implement the information in this catalog as it is printed. However, changes or deletions of courses offered, instructor, cost of tuition, class times, etc., may be necessary and will be made at the discretion of TRS Institute with the approval of the proper authorities.

What happens if I need additional time to complete my course?

It will take approximately 6-12 months to complete the course. You are required to finish the course within 18 months. Additional time may be granted at the discretion of the Manager and/or the Director.

What equipment is needed to take the TRS Institute medical transcription course?

How many reports will I transcribe in the course?

You will transcribe over 2800 minutes of dictation in the TRS Institute program and over 800 reports. You will also have access to over 250 additional reports to enhance your learning experience if you wish to practice additional specialties.

Will I have contact with my instructors at TRS Institute? 

Your instructor will have regular online office hours with e-mail support and telephone availability. You will personally know your instructor.

Will I have contact with other students at TRS Institute?

Yes you will be allowed to have contact with other students in your course. You will have a student forum area to have “break time” with other students in the course.

What do I receive after successful completion of the TRS Institute program?

You will receive a certificate of completion at the successful completion of the course.

How is TRS Institute making itself available to work with the military, their spouses and retired military?

TRS Institute welcomes the U.S. Military, their spouses and retired military. This education program is self-paced and portable for graduates. We are actively participating in the Department of Defense Initiative with AHDI and MTIA. We offer a military spouse discount, payment plans with no interest fees, and occasional partial scholarships for military spouses.

What is the TRS Institute grading scale?

95-100                     A

90-94                       B

86-89                       C

0-85                         Failing

I have a Macintosh computer. Can I use that to take this course?

Though the prefered operating system is Microsoft Windows, Mac users would be able to take the course will a little extra effort. All of our instructors use Microsoft Windows operating system and applications. Two of the main applications used to teach online are MS PowerPoint and MS Word. The only way a Mac user can keep up with the class is to download and install viewer applications for each of these applications. The PowerPoint viewer is a free download from Microsoft. Office for Mac is reccommended, though, at student's expense.

PowerPoint 98 Viewer for Macintosh

PowerPoint 98 Viewer for Macintosh only runs under MacOS 9.x or earlier, or in Classic mode under MacOS X. The latest version of MacOS X, Panther, doesn't include the copy of OS 9.x required to support Classic. To run the Viewer in Panther, you'll need to get OS 9.

Unfortunately, if you have a computer that does not support the Classic environment (such as an Intel-based Mac), there is no PowerPoint Viewer you can use in the Mac OS. Please, visit http://www.microsoft.com/mac/ for more information about PC/Mac integration.