Medical transcriptionists often work in their own homes from a secure Internet connection, transcribing dictation from physicians and other medical specialists. They must want to work independently, be interested in medicine and love working with words.

The work is task-specific, listening to dictation and quickly and accurately creating a typed document. In addition to their homes, medical transcriptionists work in hospitals, doctor's offices, labs and clinics or for independent companies that contract with hospital for transcription services.

At Schoolcraft, the medical transcription program is a one-year certificate that totals 37 credit hours and can lead to a new career relatively quickly. Students study anatomy, medical terminology, pharmacology and take three transcription lab courses.