Program Description:

This applied technology diploma program prepares the student for employment as a Medical Language Specialist/Medical Transcriptionist (MLS/MT). MLS/MTs are specialists in medical language and healthcare documentation. They interpret and transcribe dictation by physicians and other healthcare professionals regarding patient assessment, workup, therapeutic procedures, clinical course, diagnoses, prognoses, etc. The MLS/MT also edits detailed medical reports generated by Speech-Recognition Technology (SRT) software, editing medical content, English, grammar and punctuation as necessary.

Course content is comprehensive to serve the student with no previous medical background or experience. It includes medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, health information management as well as computer proficiency, employing a state-of-the-art training program and techniques utilizing authentic physician-generated dictation as well as SRT-generated text.

Soon the program will transition into college credit courses rather than clock hour vocational courses. You need to attend an information session in the semester before you begin your courses for advisement.

ADMISSION PRIOR TO FALL 2012:
The non-credit Applied Technology Diploma (ATD) program will be replaced by a new college credit ATD program effective Fall 2012. The last opportunity to begin the noncredit program will be in the Summer 2012 term. All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed by the end of the Summer 2012 term.
Please see the program website for tentatively course schedule.

TESTING (Students beginning the program prior to Fall 2012):
TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education): Non-credit ATD students are required to take the TABE before registering for foundation (entry-level) courses. Minimum TABE scores: Language 11; Math 10: Reading 11. See VPI Lab at ETA 253, Lake Worth Campus, or call 561-868-3795 for remediation.

TYPING: A minimum typing speed of 45 words per minute, after errors, is required to begin the core program
(HIM0263).

Email program instructor for typing test instructions when ready to begin HIM0263.

Students beginning the program in Fall 2012 and beyond: Testing requirements are college credit courses include college placement tests such as CPT, SAT, ACT and PERT (no TABE). See the college credit MT program website for details of required testing. Typing speed requirement and testing remains as listed above.

Questions: MedicalTranscription@palmbeachstate.edu

Professional Association: Association for Healthcare Documenation Integrity

Other programs of interest:

Health Information Management - Associate of Science Degree

Medical Assisting

Medical Coder/Biller