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Medical Transcriptionist

Become fluent in the language of medicine. The complex and detailed nature of modern medical science is demonstrated in the duties of a medical transcriptionist. A medical transcriptionist is a medical language specialist who interprets and transcribes dictation by physicians regarding patient assessment, workup, therapeutic procedure, clinical course, diagnosis, and prognosis to document patient care and facilitate delivery of health care services.

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Program Description Career Prospects Admission Requirements Program Status

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Program Description

This program emphasizes written communication skills using specialized terminology and transcription relating to reports such as history and physical, consultation, radiology, laboratory, oncology, surgery, pathology and discharge summaries. Also included in the program is a practicum, which provides the student with on-the-job experience.

All Term 1 courses must be successfully completed before proceeding to Term 2.

Classes are generally held Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. (subject to change).

Start Length Credential Campus Part or Full‑time September 8 months Certificate Broadway Full-time

Career Prospects

The ability to discern diverse accents, adjust to varying dictation styles and communicate medical information has made the medical transcriptionist career area one with many opportunities. Graduates of this program can obtain employment in positions requiring excellent spelling, grammar, proofreading, typing, transcription and word processing skills. Positions include medical transcriptionist in health records, radiology, pathology, laboratory, workers' compensation, cancer clinic, rehabilitation offices and in specialists' offices. Other career options include medical secretary and medical word processing operator.

With experience and additional courses in business management, it may be possible for graduates to set up a transcription business of their own.

Information about graduate outcomes

Admission Requirements

General

VCC welcomes applications from Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international students.

International students

As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 18 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.

Please note that you must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support your application; unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or fax versions.

Program Specific

Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis.

1. Grade 12 graduation or GED equivalent.
2. Proof of English Language Proficiency required.
3. Certified five minute keyboarding test with a typing speed of 35 net words per minute or higher with a maximum of five errors. See more information about keyboarding tests.
4. All requests for transfer credits or course exemptions for all courses in the program must be submitted with application to the program. Print a Request for Transfer Credit PDF form.
5. Applicants with foreign documents equivalent to Grade 12 must successfully complete an English language assessment.

Applicants to this program should be aware that some practicum placements in hospitals and schools may require completion of a Criminal Record Search (CRS) indicating no relevant criminal record. Students who are assigned to a practicum that requires a CRS, are expected to complete the CRS at their own expense.

Recommended characteristics

• Ability to deal with colleagues and staff in a tactful and courteous manner
• Personal hygiene, grooming and appearance acceptable to a medical environment
• High standard of honesty, integrity, and professionalism
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Good hearing and vision to be able to interpret medical dictation
• Attention to detail, accuracy, patience, and ability to work well under pressure
• Good command of English grammar and punctuation
• Ability to remain seated for the majority of a working day
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Basic computer literacy

Program Status

Accepting applications For September 2012 start

VCC is accepting applications from international students.

Apply to this Program

The first step, apply early. Students who have officially applied and met all admission requirements are sent a letter of acceptance approximately four to five months in advance of the next available start date. A first payment is required to reserve a space in the program.

Online     Fax     In Person If you're ready and know the program you want, apply now. Download and complete the (PDF) application form and fax to 604.871.7458. Visit us at one of our campus locations.

After you apply, you can check your to see if all of the requirements have been met or to update contact information. Please use the temporary login ID and Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you used to complete your original online application.

Fees and Other Costs

Application Fee Tuition Fee $30.00 $2,539.20

International Tuition Fees

Application Fee Tuition Fee Ancillary Fee $125.00 $12,308.80 $120.00 - All international students pay international tuition fees. For more information, please contact VCC's international education office at study@vcc.ca or 604.443.8600.

Other Costs

Cost Type Details College initiative fee $72.96 Student union fee $49.62 Student union health plan fee $147.57 Student union dental plan fee $140.58 U-Pass $240 Other costs Textbooks and supplies: $700

Courses