Medical Information/Transcription Specialist,
Certificate

The Medical Information/Transcription Specialist is designed to provide health care facilities with professionally trained individuals who will promote the smooth operation of an office or department within a health care agency.  These professionals, during the course of overseeing the day-to-day operations, maintain an efficient records system and utilize a variety of office equipment that facilitates the administrative clerical functions of the medical department/medical office.  It also prepares students to type physician-dictated reports describing a patient’s medical care and condition.  These reports include office chart notes, history and physical examinations, consultations, discharge summaries, laboratory tests, and diagnostic studies.  Medical clinics, hospitals, doctors’ offices, private transcription agencies, and home offices offer various employment settings for Medical Information/Transcription Specialists.  Transcriptionists may pursue a certified medical transcription rating by passing the national certification examination administered by the American Association of Medical Transcriptionists.  Medical Information/Transcription Specialists can pursue a lifelong program of continuing education.  Students enrolling in this program must type a minimum of 35 words per minute as determined by department evaluation.  As part of the program, students will complete an internship that enables them to gain real-world experience.

Program Entry Requirements

A. All applicants must meet general admission requirements to South Texas College .
B. Degree option: Demonstrate proficiency in state-mandated general knowledge content through approved means; i.e., Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) with program specific exemptions accepted.
C. Certificate options: Complete college placement test with minimum scores or complete developmental classes with a grade of "C" or better for course placement as follows:
    Completion of READ 0080 or equivalent.
    Completion of ENGL 0081 or equivalent.
    Completion of MATH 0085 or equivalent .
D. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for all the courses completed at STC.
E. Satisfy program specific requirements for clinical practice.
F. Submit a completed Health and Medical Administrative Services program application.
G. Participate in individual student advisement with Health and Medical Administrative Services faculty prior to registration.

NOTE: See department for additional information regarding above requirements.

Program Application

Program applications are available from HMAS faculty and will be discussed and completed during advisement prior to registration.  If you have questions, please call for an appointment (956) 872-3116.

NOTE: Please see program WEB page for up-to-date information regarding admission requirements, curriculum changes, selection criteria and procedures, and application revisions at www.southtexascollege.edu/nah.

Graduation Criteria

To earn the Medical Information/Transcription Specialist Certificate, the Medical Coding Specialist Certificate, or an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information Technology, a student must meet all college graduation requirements and complete all coursework as prescribed in the specific degree plan with a minimum grade of “C.”