Medical Transcriptionist

Here's how it works: Your program consists of courses designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you'll employ in your new career as a Medical Transcriptionist. Your first course will be sent to you as soon as your enrollment has been accepted. Other courses will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with.

You will need access to a computer to complete this program. Penn Foster recommends the following as minimum specifications: Pentium® II or better processor, using Microsoft® Windows® XP or later.You will also need to have access to the Internet and Microsoft® Office 2007 to complete portions of this program.

HIT100: Introduction to Allied Health
This course is designed to provide a discussion of strategies for completing the allied health programs as an independent learner. In addition, it gives an introduction to health care, and the role that medical office assistants, medical coders, and medical transcriptionists play in that industry.

BUS090: Office Procedures
This course covers the typical duties of the administrative assistant in any business office: task management, general business machines, telephone call management, business letter writing, electronic and print mail processing, travel and meeting planning, policy and procedures manuals, facility care and maintenance.

HUM106: Interpersonal Communication
Developing more effective personal communication skills to increase chances for professional success; increasing skill levels involving the use and selection of words, gestures, tone of voice, facial expressions, listening skills, as well as overall physical appearance.

HIT105: Law and Ethics in Medicine
Legal and ethical issues in the delivery of health care are presented. A grounding in the parts of tort and contract law that affect health care delivery is set forth along with broad ideas concerning the functioning of the legal system. Special attention is given to confidentiality, privileged communications, informed consent, the elements of and defenses against malpractice, legal and practical issues commonly encountered by medical office professionals, end-of-life and beginning-of-life legal and ethical issues, and the effect of managed care on ethical issues faced by health-care practitioners. (Required textbook provided with the course.)

CSC102: Word and Excel
Computer and Internet basics; computer hardware and software; digital electronics and file management; introduction to Windows®; PC applications in word processing, spreadsheets.

ENG010: Business English
Business letters, forms, client records, and memos; organization, grammar, punctuation, and sentence and paragraph construction; coherent paragraphs, well-organized documents, and purpose-focused materials; accurate, attractive, and effective final copies.

HIT107: Medical Terminology
The development of a vocabulary used in medicine by acquiring skills to pronounce, define, and spell terms. Students will analyze and interpret medical reports related
to specific body systems. (Required textbook provided with the course.)

SCI135: Anatomy and Physiology 1
The anatomy and physiology of the human body is presented as an integrated science. Each major body system is described and analyzed to illustrate normal function as well as pathology. Topics include basic biochemical elements, skin, bones, muscles, the nervous system, the senses, and the endocrine system. (Required textbook provided with the course.)
Prerequisite: Medical Terminology

SCI136: Anatomy and Physiology 2
Anatomy and Physiology 2 (AP2) continues the introduction to the structure and function of the human body that was begun in Anatomy and Physiology 1 (AP1). Like AP1, AP2 uses the body systems approach and will cover the cardiovascular, lymphatic/immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. AP2 will also cover special topics such as pregnancy, human development, aging, physiology in special environments, pathophysiology, and genetics.
Prerequisite: Anatomy and Physiology 1

HIT109: Confidentiality of Health Information
Ethical and legal rules concerning the confidentiality of health information is presented with particular emphasis on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Background material will include operation of the legal system and principles of legal liability. (Required textbook provided with the course.)
Prerequisite: Law and Ethics in Medicine

HIT207: Medical Transcription 1
An introduction to the technical and legal aspects of medical transcription as well as career opportunities available in the field. The student will transcribe and format various types of medical records. (Required textbook, software, and transcription hardware provided with the course.)
Prerequisites: Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology 1, Anatomy and Physiology 2

Online Library and Librarian
Students in Penn Foster Career School have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and assist students in research activities during their studies with Penn Foster Career School.

You must have a High School Diploma to enroll in this program.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

Microsoft, Windows, and Power Point are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Pentium is a trademark of Intel Corporation and its subsidiaries registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.