A career in medical transcription or medical coding is an excellent way to obtain job security, earn a good salary and be a valued part of a professional healthcare team.

Medical transcriptionists type the audio dictations that result from doctor-patient visits, creating reports that make up the patients’ medical records. Medical coders translate medical treatments, tests and procedures into standardized numeric codes used for billing. Both fields are in particularly high demand, and employment opportunities are expected to remain strong throughout the decade.

Bellevue College’s Medical Programs are designed by a team of doctors, healthcare professionals, editors and service owners/managers to ensure you get the right combination of real-world knowledge and technical skills necessary to succeed. Our classes also prepare you for industry certification exams that are requested – and often required – by employers.

Online classes: Courses are offered entirely online, providing you with 24/7 access to class materials and the flexibility to study on your own schedule. You can start any time you like and complete the class at your own pace.

Outpatient Medical Coding and Billing. Students interested in medical coding as a career take Outpatient Medical Coding and Billing. This class focuses on medical terminology, coding procedures and guidelines, and effective use of industry-standard manuals to code and bill for outpatient procedures.

Bellevue College offers three classes in Medical Transcription:

• Medical Transcription Editor
• Medical Transcription
• Medical Transcription Editor Supplement

Medical Transcription Editor is a comprehensive course of study that combines Medical Transcription and Medical Transcription Editor. The class focuses on transcribing real-life doctor dictations, formatting reports, and improving typing speed and accuracy. You’ll learn to edit and format physician-dictated medical records, fix grammatical errors, and improve overall report content. You’ll also receive training in how to work with speech recognition software, which electronically translates dictation into text.

Medical Transcription helps students develop computer keyboarding proficiency, improve language and grammar skills, and become more familiar with medical terminology. By the end of the class, you’ll have transcribed hundreds of authentic dictations, so you’ll be ready for a quick and successful transition to the workplace.

Medical Transcription Editor Supplement helps previously trained medical transcriptionists brush up on their skills, expand their professional base of knowledge, and increase their familiarity with speech recognition technology.

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts faster-than-average employment growth in medical coding, with about 30,000 new coding-related jobs created by 2016.
• In 2009, the middle 50-percent of medical coders reported earning between $36,560 and $49,957 annually. (Specific pay rates will vary by employer and experience level.) Source: Salary.com, June 2009
• Medical coding technicians who are credentialed earn significantly more than co-workers who are non-credentialed. At Bellevue College, we help you prepare for industry certification exams so you can earn the maximum salary possible. Source: American Academy of Professional Coders, 2008 survey

• By 2018, medical transcription is projected to grow by 11%, spurred by the increasing need for easily shared electronic documentation. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Median annual income for medical transcriptionists and medical transcription editors is $32,100. (Earnings will vary based on experience, geographic region and employer.) Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

• Courses were designed by medical practitioners and industry experts to prepare you for a quick and successful transition to the workplace.
• Online classes allow you to study at your own pace, helping you develop time management skills so valued by employers.
• Because our online classes are conducted in the medium you’ll be using on the job, you’ll improve your computer and typing skills along the way.