Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long does it take to complete the Bright Start^TM core program? 
A.  Approximately 10 months.  Bright Start consists of five modules and Mentored Internship is included in Bright Start.  You may learn at your own pace, but in order to qualify for iternship you'll need to finish Bright Start in a timely fashion or file for an extension if circumstances require.  Some of our students choose to file an extension for an additional 3 months.

1. Our students typically finish APT (anatomy, physiology and medical terminology) in 14 weeks.  The APT module is 55% of the entire Bright Start curriculum.
2. Online Computer Basics is a short but important class.  It is generally completed in 14 days.
3. Beginning Medical Transcription typing can be done in 160 hours; a little less than 3 months of typing dictation. 
4. If you study 35 hours per week, it will take approx. 6 months; if you study part time at 20 hours per week you should finish Bright Start in 8 months.
5. Every student sets their own schedule so these are approx. times only.

Q.  Is Bright Start a self paced program?
A.  Yes.  Bright Step is self directed.  It allows you the freedom and time to see if medical transcription is the career for you.  You can finish the Bright Start curriculum free from much of the stress of scheduling.  However, you do need to complete Bright Start in a timely manner to be accepted into Mentored Internship.  Extensions are available for those students who are working at another job while learning and need additional time.

Q. Is Mentored Internship^TM self paced?
A.  No, it is the only part of the training that is not self paced.    

Q.  How long does it take to complete Mentored Internship^TM?
A.  Six weeks.  You will learn to achieve a 95% to 98% accuracy level.  You must also be able to return your work in the required time frame.  

Q.  Do all medical transcription schools have teachers or mentor coaches?
A.  No.  Most schools have no professional medical transcriptionist to mentor you.  This is why Med Workshops is so highly regarded in the industry.  Most schools require that you train without the assistance of a trained instructor. 

Q.  Will I need to complete ALL of Med Workshops' available classes to become a qualified medical transcriptionist?
A. No.  Bright Start will prepare you to work at the entry level of medical transcription.  This is what is required for a "newbie" position in a Clinic setting.  Many transcriptionists spend their whole careers doing clinic work.  However, Bright Start does not include the most advanced transcription.  You can choose to enroll in the  Specialty Training Class  to learn the most advanced level of training used in hospital settings.  Hospital transcription is the most experienced.  

Q.  I've recently become semi-retired and I want to earn some additional income working part time.  Can I expect to find a job?
A.  Yes!!  Many of our students are semi-retired like you.  It is easy to place part-time medical transcriptionists if they are highly trained, responsible and somewhat flexible.  You will only be as good as your computer, make sure it is ready for transcription, click here to check requirements!

Q. Will I receive a degree or certificate upon completion?
A. You will receive a certificate of completion outlining your accomplishment.  The Internship portion is extremely valuable in your resume.  However, currently in the medical transcription field, employers favor a demonstration of skills and ability over a certificate or degree.  This is why internship is so valuable!!

Q. Do I need a license to work as a medical transcriptionist?
A. No.  Some facilities may offer incentives to transcriptionists to become credentialed.

Q. Will I use all these reference books after I finish training?
A. Yes!!  Please keep all your reference material.  You will use all of this material later in your career.  This will become the basis of your reference library.

Q.  How much can I expect to earn?
A.  Experienced, full-time transcriptionists, especially those working on piecework production, can earn $20,000 to $60,000 per year.  Medical transcription is a rewarding, interesting career and the work provides for flexible work schedules.  Expect your income to increase as you gain experience and add Specialty Training to your resume.

Q. Does Med Workshops offer financial plans?
A.  Yes, click here to check our financing options.  We accept VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, cash, and checks, and will divide an order over multiple charge cards if necessary.

Q.  Isn't a school classroom better than an online education?
A.  In our opinion, No.  We have entered the age of telecommuting.  We all need to adapt.  You certainly will need to be proficient online to be successful in this expanding environment.  Also, community colleges take much longer to graduate from; they have much less flexible schedules; you can't train from Home!