Program Overview

The Medical Transcription NC II program is designed to prepare students to become medical transcriptionist: specialists who interpret and transcribe dictation by physicians and other healthcare professionals, in order to document patient care and facilitate delivery of healthcare services.

In addition to word processing skills and knowledge of voice processing equipment, students must master English grammar, spelling, and proofreading.

Students will gain knowledge of medical terminology, pharmacology, human diseases, diagnostic studies, surgical procedures, and laboratory procedures.

The Medical Transcription NC II program is supervised and accredited by TESDA (a government agency that regulates vocational courses), and TESDA-accredited education institutions may offer this program. The program may also be incorporated in undergraduate programs such as BS in Nursing (BSN) and BS in Medical Technology (BSMedTech).

Course Structure

The course structure for Medical Transcription NC II is divided into the following modules:

• Basic Competencies (18 hours)
  • Participate in workplace communication
  • Work in a team environment
  • Practice career professionalism
  • Practice occupational health and safety procedures
• Common Competencies (18 hours)
  • Apply quality standards
  • Perform computer operations
• Core Competencies (360 hours)
  • Use business technology
  • Use medical terminology to carry out task
  • Produce text from audio transcription

Is Medical Transcription a profession?

Medical Transcription requires specific skills and professional experience, thus, it can be considered a profession. Not all companies require a TESDA certificate from medical transcription job applicants, as some companies conduct the training internally; However, a TESDA certification is an advantage.

Entry Requirements for Medical Transcription NC II

The basic requirements for trainees of Medical Transcription NC II as set by TESDA are:

• Can communicate either oral and written
• Must be physically and mentally fit
• With good moral character
• Must pass the trainability/aptitude test

Schools and training centers offering the program may include additional requirements.

What skills, traits and attitude will help you succeed in this course?

• Computer Literate – basic knowledge of computer use and being able to understand application software and systems.
• Typing skills – you must at least be familiar with using a computer or laptop keyboard, most of the work in transcription are done with these devices, it is empirical to know how to type.
• Good grammar and spelling skills – it is not enough to plainly transcribe what you hear into words, it is also important to maintain accuracy and correctness at all times.
• Knowledge of the English language – some of the transcriptions are in English, it is therefore essential to have knowledge on the English language.
• Attention to details – you may encounter recordings spoken with different accents and a varied level of clarity during your practicums or during your OJT so it’s important to have focus
• Patience – while transcribing, you may not be able to understand what is spoken so patience is a must when transcribing.

How long does it take to complete the Medical Transcription NC II program in the Philippines?

The recommended duration of Medical Transcription NC II program according to TESDA regulations is 396 hours. However the duration may be longer due to the OJT or the school's curriculum.

On the Job Training (OJT)

TESDA-accredited institutions may integrate an On the Job Training (OJT) in the course content for Medical Transcription NC II. Students are assigned to BPO companies, Medical Transcription companies, healthcare agencies and similar places, where they have a chance to practice actual transcription tasks.

Assessment and Certification

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is the regulating body for all vocational courses in the Philippines and is in-charge of the assessment and certification of the competencies of technical-vocational workers through the Philippine TVET Qualification and Certification System (PTQCS). The assessment process aims to determine whether the graduate will be able to perform according to workplace standards based on a defined competency standard. Certification is given to those who meet the competency standards.

The Assessment and Certification process is not required among graduates of vocational courses. Graduate trainees have the option whether to undergo the process or not. However, a TESDA certification will give a graduate an advantage since local and foreign companies who hire skilled workers may require this credential.

Graduates of Medical Transcription NC II are advised to take the Assessment and Certification Exam, National Certificate – Level II (NCII).

The National Certificate is only valid for five years, which means that it has to be renewed. The requirements and steps in applying for assessment and certification as well as the methods used for assessment are found in the TESDA website.

Career Opportunities for Medical Transcription NC II graduates

• Medical Transcriptionist – practice a specialized form of transcription that requires training and certification. A medical transcriptionist transcribes a physician or medical practitioner’s dictation, which are then added into the patient’s medical record.
• General Transcriptionist – work on any kind of audio recording — dictation, lectures, conference calls, phone messages, workshops, interviews, speeches, podcasts, videos, webinars, etc., in a variety of sectors such as business, media, academia and the law.
• Data Entry Specialist – take information from different locations that is written down, such as cancelled checks, bills, reports, or other information, and enter it into an electronic data system for storage and analysis.

Salary Levels

Here is the monthly salary for a Transcriptionist:

(source: jobstreet, 2017)

	1-4 Years Experience	Supervisor / 5 Years & Up Experience
Transcriptionist	P 10,500–15,000	P 14,250–20,000