Online Medical Classes

Do online medical transcription degrees really work? Do you have the same opportunities as a college grad?

Thinking of schools like Allied, Kaplan, US Career Institute. Any suggestions or comments are appreciated

Public Comments

1. You don't need a degree to be a medical transcriptionist. The training might help you if you don't have any anatomy/physiology background and are unfamiliar with the terminology. If you have good office skills and can learn medical terminology, it is just as easy to get another job in the hospital maybe in medical records and then switch over. Besides, it isn't super high paying i.e. college degree level income.
2. I worked as a medical transcriptionist for 3 years and was the manager of the transcription department for 5 years. I have a degree but not in the medical transcription field. I was hired in and trained on the job. HOWEVER, getting an opportunity to be trained on the job is rare (I was friendly with the boss). For a regular medical transcription job, we required an associates degree from an accrediated college and at least one year of experience. I did hire a couple of people from the online schools but only when we needed a job filled asap and college grads weren't available. Once, the person with the online degree turned out to be a fabulous transcriptionist - definitely a keeper. Two other occasions, they were pitiful and ended up being fired for not being able to keep the pace.